Easy Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Teriyaki – Better Than Takeout
Easy Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Teriyaki – Better Than Takeout in just 20 minutes! After making this many times, I discovered the trick to tender, juicy chicken and caramelized pineapple. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Gooey Butter Oatmeal Cookies and Mexican Street Corn Chicken Pasta Salad.
Why This Easy Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Teriyaki – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Tender, juicy chicken in every bite
- Caramelized pineapple that's irresistibly sweet
- Better than takeout, ready in 20 minutes
- Easy, family-friendly, and perfect for weeknights
What You'll Need for Easy Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Teriyaki – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 pineapple
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Green onions
- Optional: Sesame seeds
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: Cut into 1-inch chunks
- Pineapple: Cut into 1-inch chunks
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Kitchen Shears — Makes cutting chicken and pineapple quick and easy → See on Amazon
- Bamboo Skewers — Perfect for grilling and broiling kabobs → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Teriyaki – Better Than Takeout
- Prepare the chicken and pineapple: Cut chicken breasts and pineapple into 1-inch chunks. Thread onto skewers.
- Make the teriyaki sauce: Mix soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a bowl.
- Grill or broil the kabobs: Preheat grill or broiler to medium-high. Brush kabobs with sauce, grill for 10-12 minutes, turning and brushing with sauce every 2-3 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with leftover teriyaki sauce for dipping.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Teriyaki – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. It can become dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F.
- Pro tip: Marinate the chicken and pineapple in the teriyaki sauce for 30 minutes before cooking for even more flavor.
- Pro tip: For a faster cook, use a grill pan on the stove instead of the oven.
- Pro tip: Store leftover teriyaki sauce in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It's great for marinating or as a dipping sauce.
Storing & Reheating Easy Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Teriyaki – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftover kabobs in the fridge for up to 3 days Make-ahead tip: Prepare skewers up to a day ahead and store in the fridge
Freezing Easy Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Teriyaki – Better Than Takeout
Freeze uncooked skewers for up to 3 months
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the teriyaki sauce.
- Best substitution: Use firm tofu or shrimp instead of chicken for a protein-packed alternative.
- Make-ahead: Prepare skewers up to a day ahead and store in the fridge. Cook as directed when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the teriyaki sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a splash of water or chicken broth.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked, juicy chicken every time → Check price on Amazon
Easy Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Teriyaki – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 pineapple
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
Seasonings
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken and pineapple: Cut chicken breasts and pineapple into 1-inch chunks. Thread onto skewers.
- Make the teriyaki sauce: Mix soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a bowl.
- Grill or broil the kabobs: Preheat grill or broiler to medium-high. Brush kabobs with sauce, grill for 10-12 minutes, turning and brushing with sauce every 2-3 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. Serve with leftover teriyaki sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the teriyaki sauce.
- Best substitution: Use firm tofu or shrimp instead of chicken for a protein-packed alternative.
- Make-ahead: Prepare skewers up to a day ahead and store in the fridge. Cook as directed when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If the teriyaki sauce becomes too thick, thin it out with a splash of water or chicken broth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftover kabobs in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Freezer: Freeze uncooked skewers for up to 3 months
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes
- Make ahead: Prepare skewers up to a day ahead and store in the fridge
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 320
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Teriyaki – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, prepare skewers up to a day ahead and store in the fridge. Cook as directed when ready to serve.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F.
Yes, broil the kabobs on high for 10-12 minutes, turning and brushing with sauce every 2-3 minutes.
Yes, freeze uncooked skewers for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cooking time.
Cut off the top and bottom, stand the pineapple upright, and slice off the skin. Cut the pineapple into quarters, remove the core, and slice into chunks.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Pineapple Chicken Kabobs Teriyaki – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
