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    Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Jerk Seasoning

    30-Minute Meals Allergy Friendly Recipes Dairy-Free Recipes Easy Chicken Recipes Gluten Free Grilling Main Courses Paleo Real Food April 26, 2023 | By Kristen Chidsey | 22 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe
    These Grilled Chicken Kabobs make a delicious and easy dinner any night of the week. Made with chicken breast that has been seasoned with a homemade jerk marinade and then threaded with fresh pineapple and grilled for a perfectly sweet and spicy Chicken Kabob recipe. 

    These Grilled Chicken Kabobs make a delicious and easy dinner any night of the week. Made with marinated jerk chicken and then threaded with fresh pineapple, these Grilled Chicken Kabobs are perfectly sweet and spicy.

    Inspired by my trip to Jamaica, these chicken kabobs are anything but boring, yet they are exceptionally easy to make. Pair with pineapple rice or instant pot cilantro lime rice for a delicious, easy, wholesome meal.

    Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Pineapple on white platter.


    Grilled Chicken Kabobs have a reputation for being boring or dried out. But my recipe for Jamaican Chicken Kabobs is ANYTHING but boring, and the chicken is tender and juicy.

    The secret to the incredible flavor of these kabobs is the jerk marinade. I learned to make an authentic jerk seasoning and a jerk marinade from a Jamaican Chef while vacationing in Jamaica years ago. After over 30 years of cooking in Jamaica, this guy knew a thing or two about authentic jerk recipes, and his delicious marinade proves just that. It has just enough spice balanced with just enough sweetness and works to not only flavor the chicken but also tenderize the meat.

    Add in some fresh pineapple slices and these chicken kabobs are a flavor explosion!

    Notes on Ingredients 

    • Habanero Peppers: Habanero peppers are classic in jerk seasoning. You can replace the habanero pepper with a jalapeno pepper for a less spicy result or if you can not find habanero.
    • Maple Syrup: Feel to use honey, agave, or brown sugar in place of the maple syrup. Granulated sugar is not a good option for this recipe.
    • Oil: Use melted and cooled coconut oil, avocado oil, or canola oil. Any mild oil works well.
    • Lime Juice: Be sure to use FRESH limes, not bottled lime juice. 
    • Ginger: Use peeled fresh ginger root, NOT dried ground ginger. If you have leftover ginger, peel it and pop it in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer, and pull it out to grate from frozen ginger.
    • Spices: I use similar dried spices in this wet marinade as I do in my jerk seasoning blend. It is a blend of allspice, nutmeg, and thyme.
    • Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes. 

    How to Make Jamaican Chicken Kabobs

    • Cube up chicken breast or chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes and place the cubed chicken into a large shallow dish or a gallon-sized storage bag. Prepare the marinade by placing the peppers, oil, maple syrup, ginger, garlic, and spices ingredients into the blender or food processor and blending it until fully processed.
    Blender with ingredients for jerk marinade.
    • Pour the jerk marinade over the chicken and toss to coat the chicken in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate while marinating.
    • Leave the chicken in the marinade for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours. Do not leave longer than 4 hours the meat will begin to break down.
    • While the chicken is marinating, soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes so that your skewers will not burn when grilling. Alternatively, you can use metal skewers.
    • Remove the chicken from the marinade and discard the marinade.
    • Thread marinated chicken and pineapple on wooden skewers in an alternating pattern.
    • Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and grill kabobs for about 12 minutes total, turning every 3-4 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
    Sweet and Spicy Grilled Jerk Chicken  on white platter on wooden skewers

    Recipe FAQs

    Is marinating the chicken crucial to this recipe?

    Yes. For the best flavor, you must marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes. Otherwise, you will have bland chicken kabobs.

    Do you have to cube the chicken?

    No! If you simply would like to have grilled jerk chicken, marinate boneless, skinless chicken breasts, or thighs in the marinade as directed. Grill over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes per side.

    Is the pineapple necessary?

    No! I love the sweetness it adds to the spicy chicken, but you can leave it off the kabobs.

    Can I add other vegetables to these chicken kabobs?

    Yes! Bell peppers or onions would be delicious on these kabobs as well.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Tame the spice of these Jerk Chicken Kabobs by pairing them with a refreshing Pina Colada Smoothie.
    • Serve with a side of flavorful Pineapple Rice or Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice
    • While grilling the chicken kabobs, consider making Grilled Corn on the Cob or Grilled Vegetable Kabobs to serve alongside the chicken.

    If you enjoyed these Jerk Chicken Kabobs, I would love for you to leave a comment and 5-star review below.

    Jerk Chicken Kabobs on white platter next to limes

    Grilled Jerk Chicken Kabobs with Pineapple

    Marinated jerk chicken and pineapple are grilled together to create a perfectly sweet and spicy bite.
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Jamican
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes minutes
    Marinate: 4 hours hours
    Total Time: 17 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 224kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup avocado oil or melted coconut oil or canola oil
    • juice of 1 lime
    • 1 inch piece of ginger peeled and thinly sliced
    • 2 habaneros or jalapeno peppers cut into large chunks, unseeded
    • 3 garlic cloves peeled
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey or agave
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • ½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
    • ½ teaspoon dried allspice
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1" chunks
    • ½ fresh pineapple peeled, cored and diced into 1" wedges
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    • Place the oil, lime juice, peppers, ginger, maple syrup, and seasonings into a blender and blend until smooth.
    • Pour the marinade over the chicken and let sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
    • If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes.
    • Heat gas grill or charcoal grill to medium-high temperature.
    • Remove the chicken from the marinade and thread on the soaked skewers, alternating with pieces of fresh pineapple. Discard the marinade.
    • Grill the kabobs for 6 minutes per side, or until the chicken has reached 165 degrees F.

    Equipment Needed

    • wooden skewers
    • metal skewers

    Notes

    Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes for optimum flavor. 
    Feel free to use jalapenos if you can not find habanero, or would like a less spicy result. You can also deseed the pepper to help control the heat as well. 
    If you simply would like to have grilled jerk chicken, marinate boneless, skinless chicken breasts, or thighs in the marinade as directed. Grill over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes per side.
    Feel free to skip the pineapple or add vegetables such as onions or peppers to kabobs. 
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 715mg | Potassium: 580mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Vitamin C: 64.4mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1.1mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

     

    « Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta
    How to Use Your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker »

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Britni

      September 20, 2018 at 1:42 pm

      5 stars
      My husband will be so excited for me to cook this recipe. thank you

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 20, 2018 at 4:00 pm

        You bet! You enjoy!

        Reply
    2. CJ Huang

      June 20, 2014 at 7:34 pm

      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. 🙂

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 20, 2014 at 8:04 pm

        Yea!! Thank you for featuring me this week!! I hope you like what I continue to share!

        Reply
    3. Mommy on Demand

      June 19, 2014 at 5:09 pm

      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!!!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 19, 2014 at 6:44 pm

        Yea!! Thank you so much for featuring my recipe!! Enjoy the dish!

        Reply
    4. Kat Clayton

      June 17, 2014 at 9:52 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 17, 2014 at 11:46 am

        Thanks Kat. I hope you love them...they hit every flavor profile

        Reply
    5. Carrie Groneman

      June 16, 2014 at 7:42 am

      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

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 16, 2014 at 8:23 am

        Thanks Carrie!! I say, try them all 🙂 I hope I can inspire you again next week!

        Reply
    6. Karly

      June 15, 2014 at 8:36 pm

      This is my kind of dinner! Thanks for linking up with What's Cookin' Wednesday!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 15, 2014 at 8:47 pm

        Thanks for having me Karly!! I love quick and flavorful dinners myself!

        Reply
    7. Pam

      June 12, 2014 at 6:57 pm

      This sounds so good! Thanks for sharing on the Thursday Blog Hop!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 12, 2014 at 7:49 pm

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    8. Beverly

      June 12, 2014 at 8:21 am

      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

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 12, 2014 at 8:28 am

        Bev,
        It is so good and with the freshest of pineapple from your harvest---oh my!! It will be over the top!!!

        Reply
    9. Patti

      June 12, 2014 at 7:51 am

      Pinned and stumbled!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 12, 2014 at 8:28 am

        Thanks Patti 🙂

        Reply
    10. Matt Robinson

      June 11, 2014 at 11:20 am

      Thanks so much Kristen, I love what you did with this too!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 11, 2014 at 11:33 am

        Thanks Matt!!!

        Reply
    Newer Comments »

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    These Grilled Chicken Kabobs make a delicious and easy dinner any night of the week. Made with chicken breast that has been seasoned with a homemade jerk marinade and then threaded with fresh pineapple and grilled for a perfectly sweet and spicy Chicken Kabob recipe. 

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

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    These Grilled Chicken Kabobs make a delicious and easy dinner any night of the week. Made with chicken breast that has been seasoned with a homemade jerk marinade and then threaded with fresh pineapple and grilled for a perfectly sweet and spicy Chicken Kabob recipe. 

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