Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Chili Kebabs include the perfect heat + sweet flavor combination!
Summer is waning. Are you feeling it, too?
We’re back-to-school clothes shopping (Just HOW do our daughters’ pants not fit after a few short months off from school?!), picking up class schedules and supply lists, and cramming in dental and vision check-ups before our calendars are consumed by school and all of its related activities. We have a 9th grader and a 4th grader this year. Time is going by so fast. Too fast!
And while we still have a couple solid months of good-weather grilling ahead of us here in Minnesota, I’m also feeling the pull to enjoy every meal possible from the grill. These Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Chili Kebabs have made for fun appetizers and tasty main entrees this summer. Light the grill and give this recipe a try!
* This post is sponsored by Gold’n Plump®.
If you’re familiar with the grilling archives here, you know that I’m just a little bit obsessed with kebabs. The inspiration for this latest recipe comes from one of my family’s favorite pizza topping combinations: Hawaiian with Canadian bacon and pineapple. I also added some red onion to the kebabs, because I believe that every grilled skewer is made better by a little caramelized onion love.
I’m happy to purchase Gold’n Plump® Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Fillets to feed my family. The chicken breasts are hand-trimmed so well that I never have to cut any fat from them, and I like that they never include sodium solution injections.
I have been partnering with Gold’n Plump, a local chicken brand based out of St. Cloud, Minnesota, for the past 3 years. Gold’n Plump chickens are raised by family farmers who are committed to high quality, wholesome, good chicken. Good chicken is their mission, and they are proud to add two new attributes to their All Natural chicken products: No Antibiotics-Ever and the American Humane Certified™ farm program seal.
If you are confused by chicken product labeling, be sure to take a look at this Chicken Checklist. Gold’n Plump created it to help consumers decipher chicken labels while grocery shopping. It’s a super quick and informative little read.
I suppose I could have gone with a more Italian tomato-based seasoning for these grilled Hawaiian chicken chili kebabs, to keep with the Hawaiian pizza theme. But I was up for a little different flavoring combination. I wanted some sweet heat. So the tender chunks of chicken are flavored with a mixture consisting mostly of brown sugar and chili powder. And it’s wonderful. I love the kick of chili with the fresh, sweet pineapple.
I created these kebabs with shorter skewers that are perfect for appetizer-sized portions. You could still serve these shorter skewers as a main entree or opt for the more traditional longer skewers. Kebabs are casual fare. Do whatever fits your fancy. Just promise me you’ll make these kebabs!
Grilled Hawaiian Chicken Chili Kabobs
Ingredients
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ tablespoon mild or medium chili powder
- ½ teaspoon Morton kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅛ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1½" pieces
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided
- 1 large red bell pepper, cut into 1½" pieces
- ½ of a large red onion, cut into 1½" pieces
- ¼ of a large pineapple, cut into 1½" pieces
- ¼ pound Canadian bacon slices, cut into 1½" pieces
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 1 hour before grilling.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, chili powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ginger. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over the chicken pieces and fold to coat evenly. Sprinkle the spiced brown sugar mixture over the chicken and fold again to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for one hour.
- Add red bell pepper and onion pieces to a medium bowl and drizzle remaining 1 teaspoon olive oil over the top. Fold to coat evenly.
- Thread seasoned chicken, red bell pepper, onion, pineapple, and Canadian bacon onto skewers. Sprinkle with salt & pepper on all sides.
- Heat grill to medium to medium-high heat. Make sure grates are scrubbed clean and then oiled (see Notes).
- Place kabobs on hot grill grates and cook until beautifully charred. Turn the kabobs and continue to cook until charred again. The chicken should be cooked through after 12-15 minutes, but total cook time will depend on the grill temperature and size of chicken pieces. Remove from grill and serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
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Here are a few more chicken kebab recipes you might enjoy:
- Grilled Lemon Pepper Chicken Kebabs
- Herby Grilled Chicken Kebabs with Grapes and Shallots
- Grilled Honey Chipotle Chicken Kebabs
- Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Kebabs
- Fajita Chicken Kebabs from Well Plated by Erin
- Mediterranean Chicken Kebab Salad from SkinnyTaste
- BBQ Chicken Kebabs from Carlsbad Cravings
- Balsamic and Honey Chicken Skewers from FoodieCrush
This post is sponsored by Gold’n Plump, a local chicken brand based out of St. Cloud, Minnesota. I am partnering with them again this year to bring you delicious new chicken recipes from our kitchen and backyard grills. All opinions are 100% my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make this site possible!
These were dinner tonight for the meat eaters in our family and they were a big hit. Even though it is technically fall ( for 3 days now) it was 35 degrees (95 Fahrenheit) in Hamilton, Canada, so grilled was the way to go. Thanks for a great recipe!
These grilled chicken kababs looks so much testy and delicious. well i am also little expert in cooking but this looks too much testy.
These look beautiful. The flavor combos sound amazing!
I try to pick up this chicken whenever I see it (I think only at Target in my area!). These kebabs look amazing! My family would be all over these.
Chicken on a skewer is my spirit grill food ;) Looks soooo delicious Brenda!
I usually add veg in my kebabs, but I’m loving the pineapple in this!! Gotta try! :)
I also like adding whole button mushrooms to this combo, but this is our go-to. Thanks, Bird!
Seeing that grilled pineapple is one of my favorites, I’m glad you went in that direction. I’m not quite ready for summer to be over, but I do love the cooler weather and how things slow down a bit in the fall.
Thanks, Brian – Happy Friday!
These look amazing!
Thanks, Naomi!
These looks so summer perfect!
Thanks, Matt!
I am holding on to summer and tropical flavors as long as I can! These kebabs look incredible! Beautiful summer dish!
Thank you so much, Anna – enjoy these last days of summer!
These look like the perfect showstopper! I am sooo making these :)
Thank you – enjoy!
Kiiiiiiiinda obessing over the spicy-sweet-smokey combo that you have going in these awesome kebabs! These definitely need to happen this weekend!
It’s a wonderful mix of flavors. Thanks, Taylor!
I bet these taste as amazing as they look!
They disappear fast. Thanks, Liz. :)
Hey girl This looks amazing! Yummy!
Thanks, Shawnna!
This looks soooo good! Curtis would love this recipe!!! <3
Thank you, Julie. Hello to Curtis!