Gather your friends and family for a backyard barbecue that’s sure to impress with these Maple Glazed BBQ Chicken Skewers with Pineapple. Juicy chicken thighs are coated in a sweet and smoky maple-infused barbecue sauce, then grilled to perfection and paired with caramelized pineapple chunks. This easy-to-make recipe is bursting with bold, craveable flavors that will have your guests coming back for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Maple Glazed BBQ Chicken Skewers with Pineapple
These skewers are the ultimate summer grilling recipe, offering a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and smoky notes. The maple-glazed chicken is incredibly tender and packed with flavor, while the pineapple adds a refreshing, tropical twist. Plus, the hands-on prep work is minimal, so you can spend more time enjoying the moment with your loved ones. These skewers are sure to become a new backyard barbecue staple, perfect for any casual gathering or special occasion.
Ingredients
This recipe calls for just a few simple ingredients that come together to create a flavor-packed dish. You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken thighs, pineapple chunks, maple syrup, barbecue sauce, olive oil, and a few seasonings like smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- 1 lb – Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup – Fresh pineapple chunks
- 1/4 cup – Maple syrup
- 1/2 cup – Barbecue sauce
- 2 tbsp – Olive oil
- 1 tsp – Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp – Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp – Salt
- 1/4 tsp – Black pepper
Ingredient Substitutions
- Chicken Breasts: You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs for a leaner protein option.
- Canned Pineapple: Canned pineapple tidbits or chunks can also be used instead of fresh pineapple for added convenience.
How to Make Maple Glazed BBQ Chicken Skewers with Pineapple
Begin by cutting the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and threading them onto skewers, alternating with the pineapple chunks. In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, barbecue sauce, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create the maple glaze.
Step 1: Prep Work
Begin by cutting the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and threading them onto skewers, alternating with the pineapple chunks. In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, barbecue sauce, olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create the maple glaze.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush the skewers generously with the maple glaze, reserving some for basting. Grill the skewers, turning occasionally and basting with the remaining glaze, until the chicken is cooked through and the pineapple is slightly charred, about 12-15 minutes.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
Once the skewers are grilled to perfection, transfer them to a serving platter. Drizzle any remaining glaze over the top, and you’re ready to serve your delicious Maple Glazed BBQ Chicken Skewers with Pineapple.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Marinate the Chicken: For even more flavor, try marinating the chicken in the maple glaze for 30 minutes to an hour before threading it onto the skewers.
- Switch Up the Fruit: You can also experiment with different fruit combinations, such as mango or peach, in place of the pineapple.
- Add a Kick: If you prefer a spicier twist, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the glaze.
- Bake in the Oven: You can bake these skewers in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping and basting with the glaze halfway through.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: These skewers are best served hot off the grill, alongside your favorite summer sides like grilled corn, coleslaw, or roasted potatoes.
Storage: Any leftover skewers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Reheat gently in the oven or on the grill before serving.
Make-Ahead: The maple glaze can be prepared in advance, but the skewers are best assembled and grilled just before serving.
Nutrition Information
These Maple Glazed BBQ Chicken Skewers with Pineapple are a delicious and nutritious option, packed with protein from the chicken and a touch of natural sweetness from the maple and pineapple. Each serving contains approximately 300 calories, 12g of fat, 35g of carbohydrates, and 25g of protein.
- Serving Size: 2-3 skewers
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Protein: 25 g
- Carbs: 35 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, you can absolutely use chicken breasts in this recipe. The cooking time may need to be adjusted slightly, but the overall flavor will still be delicious.
How long can I marinate the chicken?
For best results, marinate the chicken in the maple glaze for 30 minutes to 1 hour before threading it onto the skewers. This will help the flavors really infuse the meat.
Can I make these skewers in the oven?
Yes, you can bake these skewers in the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the skewers for 15-20 minutes, flipping and basting with the glaze halfway through.
How do I prevent the pineapple from falling off the skewers?
To keep the pineapple chunks securely in place, thread them onto the skewers using a back-and-forth motion, rather than just pushing them straight on.
Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Canned pineapple chunks or tidbits will work just as well in this recipe.
Try These Next
- Maple Bourbon Bbq Glazed Chicken Skewers
- Sweet And Savory Maple Glazed Chicken Skewers
- Spicy Korean Bbq Chicken Tacos With Zesty Slaw
Mouthwatering Maple Glazed BBQ Chicken Skewers with Pineapple
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: 🔥 BBQ, Grilling & Smokehouse
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Maple Glazed BBQ Chicken Skewers with Pineapple are a perfect summer dish, combining sweet and savory flavors for a delicious grilling experience.
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breasts, cubed
1 cup fresh pineapple, cubed
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Skewers (wood or metal)
Instructions
1. 1. In a bowl, mix maple syrup, soy sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. 2. Add chicken cubes to the marinade and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
3. 3. Preheat grill to medium heat.
4. 4. Thread chicken and pineapple onto skewers, alternating between the two.
5. 5. Grill skewers for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks.
6. 6. Brush with any remaining marinade during the last few minutes of grilling.
7. 7. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
For extra flavor, let the chicken marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
Feel free to add vegetables like bell peppers or onions to the skewers for more variety!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: chicken, skewers, BBQ, grilling, pineapple, maple glaze