Grilled Jerk Chicken Kabobs with Pineapple: Chicken is brought to life with a homemade jerk seasoning. Sweet pineapple is the perfect addition to mellow out the heat from this classic Jamaican marinade.
A few years ago, my husband and I took a trip together to Jamaica.
It was the first time we left our kids for longer than overnight and it was HEAVENLY!! And a huge win for our marriage!
One of the days that we were at our tropical paradise, a nasty storm tried to rain on our parade.
I just decided it was the perfect time to take a cooking class from an Jamaican Chef AND take a snooze that afternoon–I mean, I still had todllers at home!
This chef demonstrated the recipe for his Jerk marinade and then we made shrimp with the marinade.
Remember how I feel about fish?! Yeah, the flavor was good, but I could not get past the texture of shrimp.
I knew that I had to try Jerk marinade on chicken or veggies when I returned home.
My chef and trainer for that rainy afternoon in paradise, taught me that the best technique for this Jerk Chicken was to throw fresh ingredients into the blender and create a thick paste to serve as the marinade.
I decided that 30 years of cooking in Jamaica, this guy knew a thing or twp and I should most certainly take his advice!!
But I did fudge and use jalapenos instead of habanero peppers. I could handle the heat from habaneros, so could my son (he is OBSESSED with Sririacha Kabobs and Chili Lime Rice) but my husband–he is a whimp when it comes to spice.
So I decided the jalapenos were a safer bet to keep my husband happy–-just don’t tell him I left the seeds in the marinade, mmm-k?!
And since these kabobs still pack a ton of kick, I thought pairing the meat with chicken would work fabulously!
I was RIGHT! Grilled Jerk Chicken or Shirmp or ANYTHING with Jerk Seasoning is best with a sweet bite to balance it all out.
YUM!
After popping on them on the grill for about 12 minutes total, I was transported to memories of a tropical beach with the smell of charcoal fire pits wafting through the air and a cold pineapple & banana smoothie in my hand. Ahhh…..give me a second, I am dreaming!! 🙂
Seriously, this recipe is so easy, whether thrown on the grill to keep the heat out of the kitchen or oven roasted. And don’t let easy fool you–this baby gives you plenty of flavor!
Go ahead, transport yourself to the Islands and experience a bit of No Worries, as they say in Jamaica, as you dig into this easy dinner.
Grilled Jerk Chicken Kabobs with Pineapple
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup avocado oil or melted coconut oil or canola oil if not paleo
- juice of 1 lime
- 1 inch piece of ginger peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 jalapenos cut into large chunks, unseeded (for more authentic jerk--use habeneros--I just happened to have jalapenos)
- 3 garlic cloves peeled
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey or agave
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon dried allspice
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1" chunks
- 1/2 fresh pineapple peeled, cored and diced into 1" wedges
- 4 metal skewers or wooden skewers that have been soaked in water or 30 minutes.
Instructions
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Blend together everything but the chicken and the pineapple, until smooth.
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Pour the marinade over the chicken and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
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Heat grill or charcoal to medium-high temperature.
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Thread the chicken unto skewer, alternating with pieces of fresh pineapple.
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Grill chicken for 6 minutes per side.
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Enjoy!
**To keep this Paleo, use avocado oil or melted coconut oil in place of canola oil.
Thanks so much Kristen, I love what you did with this too!
Thanks Matt!!!
Pinned and stumbled!
Thanks Patti 🙂
This looks so yummy! My favorite meal usually has chicken in it and with our pineapples almost ready to harvest, this will be great.
Thanks for the recipe,
Bev
Bev,
It is so good and with the freshest of pineapple from your harvest—oh my!! It will be over the top!!!
This sounds so good! Thanks for sharing on the Thursday Blog Hop!
Thank you so much!
This is my kind of dinner! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Thanks for having me Karly!! I love quick and flavorful dinners myself!
Wow! I don’t know which to pick as a favorite: the kabobs, your pineapple burger or the mango smoothie. Maybe I’ll just have to have all 3! Thank you for linking up at Wonderful Wed Blog Hop. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
Thanks Carrie!! I say, try them all 🙂 I hope I can inspire you again next week!
Kristin these look delicious! I love anything with pineapple that’s sweet and spicy! Definitely want to try these! Found your post through Ladybug Blessings link party!
Thanks Kat. I hope you love them…they hit every flavor profile
Now this recipe is screaming my name!!! Can’t wait to give it a try! Thanks for sharing at Happiness is Homemade Link party, you are being featured so make sure to stop over on Sunday and grab our button!!!
Yea!! Thank you so much for featuring my recipe!! Enjoy the dish!
Grilled pineapple is the best! I imagine it brings out some wonderful flavors when combined with jerk chicken too. Thanks for stopping by and sharing this recipe with us – you’re featured this week on Five Friday Finds! I’m looking forward to what you share this week. 🙂
Yea!! Thank you for featuring me this week!! I hope you like what I continue to share!