BBQ Chicken Bacon Pineapple Kabobs with tender meat, grilled pineapple and bacon slathered with your favorite BBQ sauce. Ultimate BBQ recipe for grilled chicken kabobs are perfect for your next cookout!
Make this fun, easy chicken kabob recipe for an insanely delicious meal or appetizer. These chicken pineapple kabobs are made easy and include all your favorite summer grilling flavors!
Simple Grilled Dinner Recipe
The kids are out of school in a matter of weeks and we have two subsequent days this week where it will be at least 80 degrees. You know what that means, right?! Summer is almost here! It’s a fun time of year and I always find myself craving those flavorful summer meals. I love everything about these BBQ Chicken Bacon Pineapple Kabobs- the tangy pineapple paired with the smoky bacon and tender chicken. The bacon gets crispy on the edges and tastes SO good. Slather it with your favorite BBQ sauce and dinner is served!
Cooking BBQ chicken kabobs on the grill
When making chicken kabobs, there are several things you can do to make them AMAZING! First, I like to lightly salt and pepper the uncooked chicken. You marinate these kabobs with some of the barbecue sauce to really get the flavors soaked in the chicken. Then, towards the end of the grilling process, you slather on even more barbecue sauce. If you put it all on initially, it will char more than you’d like, since barbecue sauce has a higher sugar content. A little char is delicious, but too much char just tastes burnt!
Why you’ll love Easy Chicken Bacon Kabobs
- Umm, hello, FLAVOR!! Bacon + Chicken + BBQ sauce + Pineapple= HEAVEN! Try it. You’ll love them!
- The recipe comes together fast! This dinner is super simple to pull together, the whole process took about 30 minutes (minus marinating time). Meaning you can have dinner on the table in no time!
- It won’t heat up the house. You make this recipe on the grill, outside and will not add any more heat to your house. Keep the oven off and enjoy the great outdoors while you create a delicious meal.
- It’s family friendly. What young child doesn’t enjoy bacon and BBQ sauce? This dish is a great one to use when you want to please adults, children, or even the pickiest of eaters.
BBQ Chicken Kabob recipe ingredients
Chicken: You will need 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, or 3 thighs, for the base of this dinner recipe.
Salt: Adding a few shakes of salt to the chicken and BBQ sauce to add a bit more flavor.
BBQ sauce: Grab a jar of your favorite BBQ sauce, you will need 1 ½ cups to marinade the chicken chunks in before grilling.
Bacon: Use 1 lb of bacon to give this dish even more amazing flavor and added protein.
Fresh pineapple: For more great taste, use fresh pineapple cut into small 1-2″ chunks depending on your preference. You can also use canned pineapple chunks to simplify this recipe even more.
How to make Grilled Chicken Pineapple Kabobs
Marinate
Start by combining the chicken pieces with 1 cup of the BBQ sauce in an airtight container or ziplocked bag and marinate for 2-3 hours. Also add a few pinches of salt to the marinade to help balance the flavors well. This step can be omitted if you’re pressed for time!
Cook bacon
Next, cut the bacon into 2 long pieces and microwave on a paper towel lined plate for 2-5 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon and how crispy you like it. Let the bacon cool slightly before assembling kabobs.
Prep
When you are ready to assemble the kabobs, pull out the chicken and slice into cubes that are about 2″ cubes. Also, chop the pineapple into small chunks as well.
Assemble
Proceed to use kabob skewers, then thread the chicken, bacon pieces and pineapple in a pattern. The larger pieces of pineapple are easier to skewer. Fold thin bacon pieces over in half and arrange next to the chicken, being careful to not put the bacon pieces too close to anything else, so that they have space to heat up properly to cook.
Grill
Get the BBQ heating up and then cook the kabobs until the chicken temperature reaches 155-160 degrees F. Before cooking is complete, slather the remaining 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce on the kabobs.
To know when your chicken reaches the right temperature, your best tool is going to be a meat thermometer. My all-time favorite meat thermometer is the Thermapen. It’s super fast and incredibly durable. Another great meat thermometer is the ThermoPop which is a more basic version that works just as well!
Remove the kabobs from the grill and cover them loosely with foil and let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. Serve and enjoy!
BBQ CHICKEN KABOBS with BACON and PINEAPPLE
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts cut into 1 1/2″ – 2″ chunks, salted lightly
- 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce
- 1 lb bacon cut into 1″- 1 1/2″ segments
- fresh pineapple cut into 2" chunks
Instructions
- Combine chicken pieces with 1 cup of the BBQ sauce and marinate for 2-3 hours. (This step can be omitted if you’re pressed for time!)
- Microwave bacon for 2-5 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bacon and how crispy you like it. Let bacon cool slightly.
- Using wooden skewers previously soaked in water for at least 1 hour (or metal skewers!) thread chicken, bacon pieces and pineapple in a pattern. The larger pieces of pineapple are easier to skewer. Fold thin bacon pieces over in half and arrange next to the chicken, being careful to not put the bacon pieces too close to anything else, so that they have space to heat up properly to cook.
- Grill kabobs until chicken reaches 155-160 degrees F. Slather remaining 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce on kabobs when they’re nearly cooked. Cover loosely with foil and let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Tips for assembling chicken bacon kabobs
As you’re threading your kabobs with the chicken, bacon and pineapple, make sure that you don’t pack the ingredients on there too tightly. This is actually the case with most kabobs- you need to leave a bit of “breathing” room in between the pieces so that the heat of the grill can adequately cook each piece of food. This is especially true in this recipe, where you’re cooking bacon and chicken!
What can I serve with these chicken kabobs?
Serve these delicious BBQ Chicken Kabobs with Orange Cream Fruit Salad, Alfredo Potatoes and Garden Vegetable Caprese Salad! I love serving our main dish with these Easy 30-Minute Dinner Rolls too!
Best Kabob Skewers for kabobs
I’ve used wooden skewers before and they work well. Soaking them in water for an hour prior to loading them up with meat is helpful to prevent burning and splintering. I prefer to use stainless steel skewers now though as they’re easier to thread and remove the cooked meat.
Hungry for more? Try some more grilled chicken recipes!
- Easy Teriyaki Chicken Recipe
- Easy Chicken Fried Rice Recipe
- BBQ Chicken with Pineapple Salsa Recipe
- Easy Smoked Chicken Legs Recipe
- Grilled Chicken Salad Recipe
- Greek Chicken Souvlaki Recipe
- Honey Glazed Chicken Wings Recipe
- Sweet and Spicy Grilled Sticky Chicken Recipe
- Ranch Chicken Kabobs Recipe
- Cheesy Grilled Pineapple Chicken Recipe
- BLT Salad Recipe
- Grilled Spatchcock Chicken Recipe
BBQ Chicken Kabobs with tender chicken grilled with pineapple and bacon then slathered with your favorite BBQ sauce. These are the ultimate pineapple chicken kabobs and are perfect for your next cookout!
Eileen Kelly says
My family loves Kabobs on the grill. I love easy recipes and your tasty kebobs have it all. Easy and adding the bacon and pineapple are fabulous. a Great summer easy dinner.
Jessica says
I completely agree Eileen!
Michelle says
These were delicious! Next time, I will make sure to microwave my bacon longer. I did 3 minutes and my bacon was not quite crispy after grilling. I also added red onion to the kabobs and it added a great flavor!
Jessica says
Adding red onion is such a great idea! Bacon tends to vary so much- the thickness, if it’s higher fat versus meat, etc. I like my bacon crispier too!
Leann says
My chicken came out mushy. What did I do wrong?
Jessica says
I’m not sure… by chance did you use chicken tenderloins?
Dianna says
How many smart points for 1 kabob?
pamela says
i cant find the calorie count for these i am on a 1,550 cal a day diet i have to watch sugar and sodium level as well
Jessica says
Hi Pamela! The calorie count will vary depending on what type of BBQ sauce you use. I suggest grabbing the variety you use and plugging it into a calorie counter to know for sure!
Trisha says
Could the ingredients be thrown into a foil packet and cooked in a campfire for camping? If so, about how long do you think it’d need to cook for?
Jessica says
Sooo… I don’t camp. I don’t really have any experience with doing foil packets. Cooking bacon in it doesn’t sound right to me though, I worry with the other ingredients it wouldn’t crisp up. So if I were you, I’d cook the bacon beforehand, crumble it, then cook it in your foil pack for 15-20 minutes? That’s my best guess! If it’s not cooked- then toss it back on the coals!
Sue says
I’m having a grad party. Can they be made a day before and heated up in the oven the next day?
Jessica says
I’m sure it would work, but I’m weird and wouldn’t do it. Reheating chicken always seems to dry it out. Why don’t you prep and get the kabobs assembled beforehand, then just grill them during the party?
Linda on Poinsettia Drive says
Now I know what I want to make this weekend. They look so good. I would love for you to come share on the Classy Flamingos Blog Party. (W-F) poinsettiadr.com
Jessica says
I hope you like them Linda!
Eric Mayle says
trying wild turkey breast
Jessica says
Let me know how it goes Eric!
Tracy says
I would like to make them ahead of time and then grill them when the guests are here. But would it be dangerous for the raw chicken to sit on a skewer next to pineapples for hours? Most kabob recipes seem to now say grill separately and I don’t want to do that.
Meagen Brosius says
We love grilling out so these have become a fast favorite for us. They’re so delicious and perfect for all of our summer get togethers!
Gloria says
Well these are BBQ party perfect. I was just telling hubby that we have to make some great kabobs for the retirement party we are hosting at the end of the month. These look perfectly delicious. I know they would be a crowd pleaser for sure.
Jessica says
Thanks Gloria!!
Bob says
I’ve made these 4 times, and, OMG, they are fantastic. I also use white onion on the kabob to add a little more flavor. The char of the pineapple and onion compliment the chicken and bacon. My mouth is watering just writing this comment.
Great recipe. ????
Jessica says
I’m SO glad you enjoyed them Bob!!
April says
I love this! It’s like all the best parts of a Hawaiian pizza, without that pesky pizza party getting in the way. ;P
Jessica says
Ha! I like the way you think!!
Cindy says
Looks amazing! Will any kind of bacon do, or should it be thick-cut. I want to make sure it won’t fall off the skewers when it cooks. tysm!
Jessica says
If you use thick cut, you’ll just have to cook it a bit longer in the microwave before grilling. Any kind works- folding thin bacon helps it to stay put!
Jeffrey Wilson says
I made this as my first time trying kabobs. Turned out great. I used boneless skinless thighs marinated in Sweet Baby Ray’s sauce overnight. I cut the bacon into 2″ (ish) pieces and cooked in the microwave at 80% power. I used canned pineapple chunks. I also added cut up red bell pepper for color and flavor. It was hard to tell if the chicken was done without a thermometer, but it was just right. I could only find bamboo skewers but soaked them in water for about an hour. Still had some burn though. Will get stainless steel skewers for next time. Love reading all the comments.