There’s something so satisfying about the sizzle and aroma of a fresh bbq — and the Grilled Chicken Vegetable Skewers Recipe I’m sharing today captures all that joy in every bite. Juicy chicken, charred veggies, and a hint of sweetness from pineapple come together in a simple, colorful dinner that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made grilled skewers plenty of times, but this particular Grilled Chicken Vegetable Skewers Recipe stands out because it’s unexpectedly quick, requires minimal ingredients, and delivers on flavor every single time. It’s one of those dishes that looks impressive but is surprisingly easy to pull off.
- Vibrant Flavor Combination: Sweet pineapple meets savory marinated chicken and fresh veggies, creating a balanced taste that’s hard to forget.
- Quick and Easy Preparation: With just about 25 minutes total, including marinating, it’s a great choice for weeknight dinners and last-minute guests alike.
- Customizable to Your Taste: You can switch up the veggies or add your favorite spices to match your mood or what’s in your fridge.
- Great for Any Grill Setup: Whether you’re using a grill skillet indoors or a backyard barbecue, the recipe adapts beautifully.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe strikes a perfect harmony of textures and flavors — the chicken brings protein and juiciness, while the veggies and pineapple add crunch, sweetness, and color. When shopping, pick fresh, firm produce so everything grills evenly and stays delicious.
- Chicken breast: Choose boneless and skinless for quicker, lean grilling that absorbs marinades well.
- Red bell pepper: Adds sweetness and that vibrant red color; it grills to a tender, smoky delight.
- Onion: I love using white or red onion; they caramelize nicely on the grill, bringing a subtle sweetness.
- Zucchini: Offers a soft bite while holding shape; slicing it about 1 inch ensures it doesn't get mushy.
- Fresh pineapple: This juicy fruit caramelizes on the grill, creating a tangy contrast that’s irresistible.
- Garlic cloves: Crushing releases more flavor, infusing the marinade with a gentle pungency.
- Honey: Just enough to add a touch of natural sweetness and help with caramelization.
- Extra virgin olive oil: It helps the marinade cling and prevents sticking during grilling.
- Sea salt & black pepper: Essential for seasoning — don’t skip these basics.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking skewers whenever I can! This recipe is a fantastic canvas for your own favorite flavors, so don’t hesitate to get creative with herbs, veggies, or even swapping pineapple for mango or peaches during summer.
- Variation: Once, I swapped out the zucchini for mushrooms and added a splash of soy sauce to the marinade — it gave the skewers a smoky, umami punch that everyone adored.
- Dietary swaps: Using turkey breast or firm tofu in place of chicken works wonderfully if you want to keep things light or vegetarian-friendly.
- Spice it up: Adding smoked paprika or chili flakes to the marinade can give your skewers a fiery kick without overpowering the natural flavors.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Grilled Chicken Vegetable Skewers Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients
Start by washing and patting dry your chicken breasts, then cut them into 1-inch cubes for even cooking. Chop your bell pepper, onion, zucchini, and pineapple into similarly sized pieces. This uniformity is key — it keeps everything cooking at the same rate, so you don’t end up with burnt veggies or underdone chicken.
Step 2: Marinate for Flavor
In a large bowl, toss together chicken, vegetables, crushed garlic, honey, olive oil, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Give everything a gentle mix so the marinade coats each piece. I like to let it sit about 15 minutes — just enough time for the honey and garlic to work their magic and tenderize the chicken.
Step 3: Assemble Your Skewers
Thread the chicken and veggies onto skewers, alternating to get a nice balance of colors and flavors with each bite. Typically, this recipe makes about 7 to 8 skewers — perfect for sharing or saving some for later.
Step 4: Grill to Perfection
Heat a non-stick grill skillet over medium-high heat and brush it lightly with olive oil. Place your skewers on the hot pan and cook each side for about 1 minute — you're aiming for a nice char but not overcooking. Cooking time is short because the pieces are small; keep an eye so they don’t dry out.
Step 5: Rest & Serve
Transfer the cooked skewers onto a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain any excess oil. Serve immediately for best taste and texture. Honestly, these skewers disappear fast at my table — they’re a crowd-pleaser!
Top Tip
After grilling these skewers several times, I’ve picked up a few handy tips that save you from common pitfalls and help you get restaurant-worthy results at home.
- Uniform Cutting: Always cut your chicken and veggies into similarly sized chunks to ensure they cook evenly without leaving some pieces raw or others burnt.
- Soak Wooden Skewers: If using wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least an hour before assembling — this prevents them from catching fire while grilling.
- Oil the Grill Well: Brushing your grill pan or grill grates with oil before cooking helps keep the skewers from sticking and tearing apart when flipping.
- Don’t Overcook: Since the pieces are small, grilling each side for about a minute is plenty to keep the chicken juicy — overcooked chicken is dry, which is sadly common with skewers.
How to Serve Grilled Chicken Vegetable Skewers Recipe
Garnishes
I like to finish off my skewers with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or cilantro — the fresh herbs add a bright note that cuts through the sweet and smoky flavors. Sometimes I serve with a wedge of lemon or lime to squeeze over for a little zing.
Side Dishes
Grilled Chicken Vegetable Skewers go wonderfully with fluffy rice, a crisp cucumber salad, or even a creamy tzatziki sauce on the side. For something heartier, naan or pita bread make perfect companions to scoop up the delicious bits.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I like to serve the skewers upright in a decorative jar filled with rice or dried beans — it makes grabbing a skewer effortless and looks charming on the table. Another fun idea is to serve with individual small bowls of dipping sauces for guests to mix and match flavors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and try to eat them within 3 days — the skewers hold their texture well if reheated gently. When I first started meal prepping skewers, I learned that vibrant veggies like bell pepper can lose their crunch if stored too long, so sooner is better.
Freezing
If I need to freeze, I wait until the skewers have fully cooled, then pack them tightly in freezer bags or airtight containers. They freeze up to a month, but I find the texture of some veggies softens after thawing, so I usually only freeze the chicken and some veggies separately if possible.
Reheating
For best results, I thaw skewers overnight in the fridge and reheat them on a grill pan or under the broiler to revive that slightly charred outside. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make things a bit soggy, so I reserve that for busy days.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While chicken breast is lean and cooks quickly, you can substitute turkey, shrimp, or even firm tofu to suit your preferences. Just adjust grilling times accordingly to avoid overcooking.
Yes, soaking wooden or bamboo skewers for at least 1 hour in water helps prevent them from burning on the grill. This simple step lets you enjoy your skewers safely without smoky, charred sticks.
Since the chicken pieces are about 1 inch, grilling each side for roughly 1 minute on medium-high heat usually cooks them through. To be sure, the chicken should be opaque with no pink inside. Using a meat thermometer, aim for an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Yes! You can marinate and assemble the skewers ahead of time, then cover and refrigerate them for a few hours before grilling. Just bring them to room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking to ensure even grilling.
Final Thoughts
This Grilled Chicken Vegetable Skewers Recipe quickly became a go-to favorite in my kitchen, whether it’s a casual weeknight or a weekend gathering with friends. Its quick prep, fresh flavors, and adaptability make it one of those meals you’ll want in your regular rotation. Give it a try — I’m confident it’s going to become a new staple in your grill repertoire, just like it did for me.
Print
Grilled Chicken Vegetable Skewers Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 7 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Delicious and colorful grilled chicken kabobs featuring tender chicken breast, fresh vegetables, and pineapple, marinated briefly in honey and olive oil, then quickly grilled for a flavorful and healthy meal perfect for summer gatherings or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast boneless, skinless, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 large red bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces (5.29 oz | 150 g)
- 1 large white onion cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1 cup zucchini sliced (4.37 oz | 124 g)
- 1 small pineapple cut into 1 inch pieces (14.10 oz | 400 g)
- 6 garlic cloves peeled and crushed
Seasoning and Marinade
- Sea salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Wash and pat dry the chicken breast with kitchen paper. Cut into 1 inch cubes to ensure even cooking.
- Marinate Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chicken, red bell pepper, onion, zucchini, pineapple, crushed garlic, sea salt, ground black pepper, and honey. Toss everything together thoroughly and let the mixture marinate for 15 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Assemble Kabobs: Thread the marinated chicken and vegetables onto skewers, alternating pieces for a colorful presentation. You will get approximately 7-8 skewers depending on size.
- Preheat the Grill Skillet: Heat a non-stick grill skillet over medium-high heat and brush it lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Grill the Kabobs: Place the skewers on the hot grill skillet. Cook each side for about 1 minute, turning carefully to ensure even grilling without burning.
- Drain Excess Oil and Serve: Transfer the cooked kabobs to a plate lined with kitchen paper to absorb any excess oil. Serve immediately while hot and juicy.
Notes
- To Store: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze: Cool completely before placing kabobs in an airtight container or ziplock bag; freeze for up to 1 month.
- To Reheat: Defrost fully and reheat using a microwave for convenience.
- You can use wooden or bamboo skewers, but soak them in cold water for at least 1 hour before grilling to prevent burning.
- Cutting meat and vegetables into uniform pieces allows for even cooking.
- If grilling outdoors, baste kabobs during cooking to keep them moist and flavorful.
- Brush grill skillet with oil before cooking to avoid sticking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
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