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Sweet and Sour Chicken Kabobs with pineapple, onion, and red pepper on a pan.

Chinese Chicken and Pineapple Kabobs {Sweet and Sour}

Sweet and Sour Chicken Kabobs have pineapple, onion, and red pepper for sweet, savory, tangy, and salty flavors.  Chicken is marinated in a Sweet and Sour marinade so that when it's grilled, it gets the most amazing sweet and savory grill flavor.  The grilled pineapple intensifies into this deep flavor, that is still sweet, but somehow also savory from the grill and the caramelization of the natural sugars.  The onion and red pepper round out the flavors and textures with a bit of fresh crunch. #chickenkabobs #grilledchicken #hawaiianchicken #sweetandsourchicken #pineapple

Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Keyword chicken, kabobs, sweet and sour
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 254 kcal
Author Carrie Tyler

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 1.5 lb Chicken Breasts, skinless, boneless (about 3 breasts)
  • ½ cup Sweet Chili Sauce
  • 2 teaspoon Sesame Oil
  • 2 tablespoon Soy Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Rice Wine or White Wine Vinegar
  • 1 clove Garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper

Other Ingredients

  • ½ Pineapple
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper
  • 1 Onion

Instructions

Prep Ahead Steps

  1. Cut the chicken breasts into 2-inch cubes. You want to get at least 16 pieces (4 per skewer). Place them into a storage bag or container.

  2. Make the Sweet and Sour sauce/marinade by mixing together in a bowl, the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Then pour ONLY HALF of this over the chicken and stir to combine. Save the other half of the sauce for serving. Seal the bag or container and set aside until ready to skewer.

  3. Cut the onion, the red pepper, and pineapple into chunks that can be skewered.

  4. Skewer the veggies, pineapple, and chicken alternating. You want 4 chicken cubes per skewer.

Cook your Kabobs

  1. Preheat the grill to high heat. Place the kabobs on the grill.

  2. The chicken needs about 6 minutes per side to cook completely through to 165 F degrees internal temp. After 6 minutes, flip the kabobs over.

  3. While the kabobs are cooking, pour the remaining sweet and sour sauce into a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Pour into a serving bowl.

  4. Drizzle the Sweet and Sour over the cooked kabobs and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

  1. Can I make the skewers ahead?
    Yes, you can create the skewers and store them in the fridge if you are able to seal them in plastic wrap to prevent air. You can do this 2-3 days in advance if sealed tight.

  2. Can I make these kabobs with beef?
    You can swap the chicken for beef cubes if you prefer. I like to use petite beef filets or beef tenderloin cut into cubes for kabobs. Preheat your grill to high. These don’t take much time at all to cook to medium. Place on the grill for about 4-5 minutes, then flip the skewers over and grill the other side for another 4-5 minutes. (4 minutes on each side will get you to a medium-rare and 5 minutes to a medium.) Check out my Quick Garlic Steak Kabobs with Creamy Cilantro Sauce recipe too!

  3. Can I make these Kabobs Vegetarian?
    To make these kabobs vegetarian, you will need to swap out the chicken. You can use whole white button mushrooms or zucchini chunks in their place. Another option is to use Extra Firm Tofu, just be sure that you have a small-hole grill below it when grilling in case it breaks and falls off. You can use a metal cooling rack for example.