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These Chipotle Pineapple Bang Bang Chicken Skewers are a new warm weather go-to. We just love these! Chicken seasoned with spicy chipotle chilies, tamari, ginger, and honey. Add chunks of pineapple to each skewer for a tropical island flare. Serve these chicken skewers with spicy, tangy, creamy restaurant-style bang bang sauce, it never disappoints. Add extra limes and green onions, plus a bowl of coconut or cilantro rice (or cook up some baked french fries). Such a yummy family meal!
To me, Memorial Day is the official kick-off for grilling season. Burgers, chicken, steaks, and sweet corn will be on rotation from now until mid-September when the brisk fall air sweeps in to stay.
Honestly, I’m not the biggest “griller”. We live in a chillier environment, so our summer nights are a little too cold to stand outside and grill. I usually just use my trusty grill pan any time I want the flavor of something from the grill. Works like a charm!
But of course, I know the rest of you all love a delicious grilled summer dinner. Coming from the Midwest, where summertime is very hot and humid, I totally get it! This year I’m looking forward to sharing some of the dishes I used to make from our summers spent in Cleveland.
We certainly adored making chicken skewers! Something about chicken on a stick is just better, you know?
I’ve always enjoyed adding pineapple to anything grilled. So when I had this idea, I made it almost immediately. It is such a delicious flavor combination!
Here are the details
Step 1: Make the Chipotle marinade
This is a very simple mix of extra virgin olive oil, tomato paste, tamari (or use soy sauce), honey, ginger, chipotle, and fresh thyme. To streamline the process of the marinade I whipped everything together in a blender, so it was ready in seconds.
Next, take the chicken and cut it into 1 or 2-inch cubes. Add the chicken to a bowl and toss with the marinade. At this point, and if time allows, you can refrigerate the chicken for a day or two before grilling. It will develop an even more intense flavor the longer it sits.
Step 2: Thread the chicken and pineapple onto skewers
Now the fun part. Take the chipotle-seasoned chicken and the chunks of pineapple and thread them one after another onto metal or wooden skewers.
I layer/thread 1 piece of chicken, then 1 pineapple chunk. If you want more pineapple, do 1 chicken piece, then 2 pineapple chunks.
Heat your grill and cook each skewer until light grill marks appear.
Step 3: Make the bang bang sauce
Mix mayo in a bowl with Thai chili sauce tamari, garlic, and lime zest. You can add a pinch of salt and pepper or even more chili flakes too!
This is one of my favorite sauces! The sweet Thai chile sauce is the secret to the deliciousness.
To Sum it all up!
The chicken is spicy and just a smidge smoky, but at the same time a little sweet too. It’s such a wonderful marriage of flavors.
The sauce is creamy and tangy with a touch of heat. Putting everything together turns into the most delicious grilled chicken dinner. Serve with rice and you’ll have a complete meal with so much (really) good flavor!
Looking for more recipes? Here are a few to try:
Coconut Chicken Fingers with Bang Bang Sauce
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Chicken and Feta Potatoes
Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Buffalo Cauliflower with Spicy Tahini Ranch
Lastly, if you make these Chipotle Pineapple Bang Bang Chicken Skewers, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
These Chipotle Pineapple Bang Bang Chicken Skewers:
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 435 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons tamari/soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon chopped pickled ginger
- 1-3 chipotle chiles in adobo
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sweet or smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size chunks
- 3 cups fresh pineapple chunks
- green onions and basil, for serving
Bang Bang sauce
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/3 cup sweet Thai chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons tamari/soy sauce
- 1 small clove garlic grated
- 2 teaspoons lime zest
- 1 tablespoon chopped pickled ginger
Instructions
- 1. In a blender, blend the olive oil, tomato paste, tamari/soy sauce, honey, ginger, chipotle, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper until the chilies are chopped. 2. Mix the chicken and chipotle sauce in a bowl. Take the skewers and thread the chicken with the pineapple chunks.3. Set your grill, grill pan, or skillet to medium-high heat. Grill the skewers until lightly charred and cooked through, turning them occasionally throughout cooking, about 10 to 12 minutes total. 4. To make the sauce: combine all ingredients in a bowl.5. Serve the chicken and pineapple with limes, green onions, and bang bang sauce for dipping. Add extra chili sauce mixed with a couple tablespoons of ketchup for a little double-dip action. Enjoy!
Loved this recipe! Super easy and it was delicious!!! My husband could t stop raving about it. Thanks for sharing 💥
Thanks so much Miranda!! Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you! Have a great week! xx
These were delicious!! I love your recipes and your photography is beautiful!!
Thank you for sharing 🙂
Hi Cynthia,
Fantastic!! I appreciate you making this recipe and your comment, love to hear that it turned out well for you! Thanks for your kind message!🍒🥭
Although I love all your recipes, this one has to be my favorite. Thank you for sharing your talents with us!
Thanks so much Jody!! I love to hear that this was such a hit, thanks for making it! xT
Made this sans skewers on my flat top griddle and it was amazing! Will definitely make again.
Hey Heather,
Wonderful!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a lot for making it! xT
Omg! This was amazing! I will
Definitely make over and over. I used all 3 chipotles and it was perfect. Served with coconut rice and green beans. The bang bang sauce is so yummy!
Thanks so much Janis!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and thanks for trying it! xx
Hi, I made the marinade with about a teaspoon of salt and 3 Adobo peppers. It is way too Adobo overpowering. I haven’t marinade the chicken yet but wondering if I can dilute the marinade somehow? Do I need more salt to balance out the Adobo.
Hi Vivienne,
Thanks so much for trying this recipe! Can you remove some of the peppers from the marinade? I wouldn’t add more salt. Let me know how it turns out! xx
Made this tonight for l good friends, and we all just loved it!!!
Hi Emily,
Happy Sunday!!🏖️🌤️ I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! xT
Thank YOU! We will definitely be making this again and again! I used one chipotle pepper which was perfect for my wimpy spice palette. I added a little extra sweet chili sauce, salt, pepper, and a dash of cayenne to bang bang sauce. And I thought the scallions on top were a worthwhile addition.
I made this last Friday and it was PERFECT! There is so much flavor, especially with the grilled pineapple. Perfect for summer! I used only 1 adobo pepper and the spice level was great. Served with coconut rice. Be sure to make the bang bang sauce, it’s absolutely delicious and really brings everything together!
Hey Jenna,
I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks so much for making it and your feedback! xT
So delicious! Good without the bang bang sauce, but even better with it.
Served with a side of lemon broccoli pasta!
Hi Audrey,
Amazing!! Thank you so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
Hi! Is there a substitution you could recommend for pickled ginger? Would fresh be ok?
Thank you!
Hey Kayla,
Sure, you could use fresh ginger, I would just reduce the amount that you use since it is more potent:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Delicious recipe from the chicken marinade down to the perfect balance in the bang bang sauce. Very easy to prepare but tastes like so much effort! I served with coconut ginger rice and it definitely made the “make again” list.
Hi Rane,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that you have been enjoying this recipe and appreciate your notes and feedback! xT
Amazing!!! My daughter and I make your recipes all the time. We have 2 of your cookbooks. I follow you as well. I got this recipe in an email and decided to make it tonight. My family devoured it. I doubled everything because I cook for 6. Thank you for creating such a great recipe.
Hey Lee Ann,
Fantastic!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xx
I never comment on things, but OMG these were amazing. We made them last week and are having them again tonight. Hands down a new fave!
Lol thanks so much Jessica!! Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for your feedback! xT
I baked it at 400 for 30 mins (I didn’t cut up the thighs or put them on skewers). I added red onion and added that and the pineapple to the pan for the last 20 mins (but they could have used more time). Delicious!
Hi Jackie,
Fantastic!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xx
Delicious recipe. Followed recipe exactly, and it was perfect. Might kick up the spice factor next time. The pineapple was the perfect accompaniment to the chicken. It thought the family might balk at grilled pineapple but the loved it! Paired it with your coconut rice and made some sesame roasted broccoli. Great flavors!
Hi there,
Happy Monday!!😎 I appreciate you making this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! xT