Description
These Spicy Pineapple and Ginger Chicken Skewers are a tropical delight, combining juicy chicken thighs with a bold marinade of fresh pineapple juice, ginger, garlic, and a hint of cayenne pepper. Grilled to perfection, they’re sweet, spicy, and utterly irresistible. Perfect for summer cookouts, weeknight dinners, or meal prep, these skewers are easy to make and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
1 pound (450g) chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 cup fresh pineapple juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
Skewers, wooden or metal
Fresh pineapple chunks, for grilling (optional)
Fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the marinade: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, grated ginger, minced garlic, brown sugar, sesame oil, cumin, coriander, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and stir to coat them evenly. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
Soak the skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium-high heat.
Assemble the skewers: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, alternating with fresh pineapple chunks if desired. Leave a little space between each piece for even cooking.
Grill the skewers: Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has beautiful grill marks.
Rest and garnish: Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a couple of minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving if desired.
Notes
Marinating time: For the best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour, but 4 hours is ideal.
Gluten-free option: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
Vegetarian option: Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh. Press tofu to remove excess moisture before marinating.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Spicy pineapple chicken skewers, tropical chicken recipe, grilled chicken skewers, pineapple ginger marinade, summer grilling recipes