Pineapple Chili Chicken Skewers with Lime Salt

Name: Pineapple Chili Chicken Skewers with Lime Salt
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks; 2 cups fresh pineapple chunks; 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares; 1 small red onion, cut into wedges; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 1 1/2 tbsp honey; 1 tbsp lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving; 1 tbsp neutral oil; 1 tsp chili powder; 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus flaky salt for finishing; 2 tbsp chopped cilantro

Sweet pineapple and smoky chili give these chicken skewers that just-off-the-highway grill-stand energy.

Prep: 15 · Cook: 12 · Total: 27 · Serves: 4 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.6/5 (409 reviews)

INSPIRED BY

A classic sweet-heat skewer idea, dialed up with chili powder and a fast honey-lime glaze.

Story

I have a weakness for any roadside spot that smells like smoke and pineapple. This one hits that same vibe at home, no cooler required. The glaze is basically a back-pocket trick, it clings, chars, and makes the whole thing taste bigger than the effort. If you eat one standing at the counter, that is the correct move.

By Theo

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 cups fresh pineapple chunks
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares
1 small red onion, cut into wedges
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
1 tbsp neutral oil
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus flaky salt for finishing
2 tbsp chopped cilantro

Instructions

Stir soy sauce, honey, lime juice, oil, chili powder, smoked paprika, and kosher salt in a bowl. Toss in the chicken and let it sit while you prep the veggies.
Thread chicken, pineapple, pepper, and onion onto skewers, alternating for even cooking.
Heat a grill or grill pan to medium-high and oil the grates lightly.
Grill skewers 3 to 4 minutes per side, turning until the chicken is cooked through and nicely charred in spots.
Rest the skewers 3 minutes, then squeeze over lime and sprinkle with flaky salt and cilantro.
Serve hot with extra lime wedges, and if you want, a side of rice or a simple cucumber salad.

Chef Tips

Soak wooden skewers for 20 minutes so they do not scorch.
Keep the pineapple chunks big so they char instead of falling apart.
Finish with lime and a pinch of flaky salt right off the grill for the best pop.

Cook's Notes

If your pineapple is super sweet, bump the lime juice by a teaspoon.
Chicken thighs are more forgiving on high heat.
Double the glaze and warm a few spoonfuls to drizzle after grilling.

View this page on Tastelicious →