Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs
Sweet and Tangy Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs (OMG, You’ve Gotta Try These!)
Ever just crave summer vibes in the middle of winter? Like, we’re talking sunshine, beachy breezes, and grilled goodies… I mean, who doesn’t want to devour a kebab while pretending they’re on a tropical island, right? 🌴

Okay, so for my fellow nerds, here’s the Photo Prompt I used for the main pic: a hyper-realistic shot of the finished Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs, maybe with a bite taken out (oops!), natural light pouring in, and just a hint of chaos in the background. You know, like real life!
Okay, Let’s Talk Ingredients
Alright, here’s the lowdown on what you need. Grab a pen or just screenshot this because it’s kinda a lot but super easy, promise!
– 1/3 cup ketchup (YES, ketchup)
– 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar (the secret for that sweet goodness)
– 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce (for the salty balance)
– 1/4 cup canned pineapple juice (tropical magic)
– 4 Tbsp olive oil (plus more for the grilling—don’t be shy)
– 1 1/2 Tbsp rice vinegar (adds a little zing!)
– 4 garlic cloves, minced (trust me, can’t go wrong here)
– 1 Tbsp minced ginger (it’s like a party in your mouth)
– 1/2 tsp sesame oil (just a whisper of nuttiness)
– Salt & black pepper (as much as you want, but don’t overdo it)
– 1 3/4 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut into those cute little cubes)
– 3 cups fresh cubed pineapple (roughly 3/4 of a pineapple)
– 1 1/2 large green peppers, diced (colorful and crunch-tastic)
– 1 large red onion, diced (for that sweet kick)
So Here’s Why I Make This Constantly
Okay, quick story time: so one summer, I had my friends over for a BBQ, right? And I was, like, stressing about what to make. I wanted something that’d impress but not stress me out too much. Enter these Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs!
I marinated the chicken, and while I was skewering everything, my dog was underfoot, *begging* for scraps. (She got a pineapple chunk or two… shhh!) I grilled them outside, and the smell? OMG, *heaven*. Friends went wild over them! We ended up sitting outside until the stars came out, laughing and eating kebabs like we were at a luau. 🌅
Now, every time I make them, I’m taken back to that magical summer night. It’s like a mini-vacation.

The One Trick That Changes Everything
Here’s the pro tip: marinate the chicken for at least an hour (or longer if you can wait!). I once threw it on the grill right away and—yikes—it was like a chicken brick. So, let it soak up all those flavors. Seriously, your taste buds will thank you!
Don’t Mess This Up (My Top Tips)
1. Don’t skip the pre-soaking of those wooden skewers. I learned the hard way—burnt sticks are NOT the vibe.
2. Watch the grill! Seriously, it’s like a toddler—one second it’s fine, the next it’s chaos! Start checking your kebabs at 5 minutes in!
3. Save some marinade for the grill brush. It amps up the flavor like crazy—don’t waste that good stuff!
How to Keep Them From Disappearing (Or, How to Store Them)
If, by some miracle, you have leftovers (doubtful), just pop them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in a skillet or the microwave, but honestly, they’re best fresh off the grill.
If You Liked This, You’ll Probably Like These Too
– Spicy Shrimp Tacos: Another summer fave that’ll have you dreaming of the beach!
– BBQ Veggie Skewers: For when you want something a little lighter but still super tasty.
– Teriyaki Chicken Rice Bowls: Perfect for meal prep, and you can sneak in all the veggies!
So, what’s your go-to summer recipe? I’m always looking for new stuff to try! Let me know! 🥥🍍
Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs
Flavor-packed Hawaiian Chicken Kebabs with amazing ingredients and incredible taste! Perfect for any occasion.
25 minutes
15 minutes
100 minutes
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup ketchup
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, 2 Tbsp olive oil, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger and sesame oil. Stir in 3/4 tsp pepper and season with salt if desired.
- Place chicken in a gallon size resealable bag. Reserve 1/2 cup of the marinade in refrigerator then pour remaining marinade over chicken. Seal bag and refrigerate 1 hour (meanwhile soak 10 wooden skewer sticks in water for 1 hour).
- Preheat a grill over medium heat to 400°F (200°C). Meanwhile, drizzle remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil over red onion, bell pepper and pineapple and toss. Season red onion and bell pepper with salt and pepper, then thread red onion, bell pepper, pineapple and chicken onto skewers until all of the chicken has been used.
- Brush grill grates with olive oil then place skewers on grill. Grill 5 minutes then brush along tops with 1/4 cup of remaining marinade. Rotate to opposite side and brush remaining 1/4 cup of marinade on opposite side.
- Allow to grill about 4 minutes longer, or until chicken registers 165°F (75°C) in center on an instant read thermometer. Serve warm.