I’m late. I’ve been wanting to post this recipe for Tropical Chicken Skewers for MONTHS now. I’ve recreated this recipe so often, and each time it has been a major hit. Each time I post it on my story, someone asks for the recipe and I have to say it’s still in the works- but no longer! This recipe is finally written up and ready to share with you guys! Can you tell I’m excited?
So I don’t usually post entrees, mainly because I have no patience to take pictures of my dinner haha. But if you didn’t know, I love to cook. I love trying new recipes, refining old classics, and exploring new flavors/ingredients. My best friend and I actually bonded over our love of food. We tried to cook fresh homemade meals every other day, but we were both in medical school. That means we didn’t have the luxury of time and complicated steps. The delightful upside of this is that we had the opportunity to create easy recipes that can be popped in the oven or stuck on the stove without much tampering or hovering. These tropical chicken skewers most definitely fall in that category. Now that we’re both in residency, we appreciate fast but tasty meals even more!
The first time I made these was actually for my best friend after they got in from a long flight (pre-covid, don’t worry). I had these baking away in the oven and they came out so fresh and flavorful- we were instantly hooked! After that, we made them together several times. The last time was for a Hawaiian themed party, complete with my pineapple upside down cake, my friend’s pineapple fried rice, and virgin pina coladas! A feast to remember, for sure.
These skewers not only look so fun with their bright colors and tasty veggies, but they taste incredible! Everyone compliments how moist and tender the chicken is, despite it cooking in the oven for 30 minutes. The secret is two step. One– marinate the chicken a day ahead with yogurt and spices to really get that flavor and moisture in there. Two– when preparing the skewers, always put a pineapple chunk next to the chicken. It will lend it’s moisture and juices to keep the chicken tender, and it’s also a delight to eat together during the meal!
These skewers are very simple to recreate- and after your first time, you’re probably going to get hooked as well! A few important notes to keep in mind with this dish.
•Make sure to marinate the chicken a day in advance to keep it tender
•Soak the wooden skewers in water for 1 hour minimum to prevent the skewers from drying out and blackening up
•Always thread the pineapple next to the chicken
•Before a final broil (or before serving), brush the pineapple glaze and sprinkle with some paprika or chili powder on top of the chicken pieces to add more flavor and color!
•For a crispier baked skewer that more closely resembles a grilled-version, broil the skewers for only one minute in the oven. This will slightly roast the edges of the vegetables
I’m seriously excited to finally post this recipe, and I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I do!!
Tropical Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp garlic
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 2 whole (12 oz chicken breasts) into 1 inch cubed pieces
Skewers:
- 1 can pineapple chunks in real juice
- 1 orange bell pepper, cubed
- 1 green bell pepper, cubed
- 1 red onion, cubed
- 1 packet long wooden skewers
Glaze:
- 1 tbsp pineapple juice, reserved from can
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp BBQ sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cayenne powder
Instructions
The night before:
- Marinate the chicken. In a big ziplock bag, add in all the marination ingredients listed (yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, chili powder, salt, black pepper, cumin powder). Close the ziplock bag and press around gently to combine the ingredients evenly. Then add in the cubed chicken pieces and store in the fridge.
- Take the wooden skewers and submerge them fully in water. Set them aside to soak.
For Skewers:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- For your ease, have the bell peppers, onion, pineapple, and chicken all lined up so it's easier to create your skewers. Thread your chicken and vegetables onto the skewer, making sure to place a pineapple chunk next to a chicken cube every time.
- Place the skewers onto a rectangular oven safe tray. Ideally the skewers will be able to hang on both of the edges of the tray. This will allow the juices to drip into the tray and better cook the skewers.
- Place into the oven and bake for 30 minutes, making sure to rotate the skewers half way.
- Meanwhile, mix all the glaze ingredients together in a small bowl. Once the skewers are baked for 30 minutes, gently remove them from the oven. With a silicone brush, coat the chicken pieces with the glaze. Add extra paprika if desired on top.
Notes
