Description
These Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs are a delicious and colorful dish featuring tender marinated chicken, sweet pineapple chunks, and vibrant bell peppers cooked to perfection in an air fryer. The chicken is marinated in a flavorful blend of pineapple juice, soy aminos, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil, then grilled on skewers for a quick and healthy meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1/4 cup aminos (or soy sauce if you aren’t gluten free)
- 1/4 cup 100% pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch or tapioca flour (reserved until the end)
Vegetables and Fruit
- 1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks
- 2 red bell peppers
- 1 medium red onion
Additional
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 12-15 wooden skewers
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the aminos (or soy sauce), pineapple juice, honey, ground ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, kosher salt, and the cornstarch or tapioca flour. This will create a flavorful marinade with a slight thickening agent.
- Marinate the chicken: Cut the boneless skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and add them to the marinade. Ensure all pieces are well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken.
- Soak the skewers: Place the wooden skewers in warm water and let them soak for about 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
- Assemble the kabobs: Cut the red bell peppers and the red onion into chunks similar in size to the chicken pieces. Thread the marinated chicken, pineapple chunks, onion, and bell peppers alternately onto the soaked skewers, creating colorful and balanced kabobs.
- Air fry the kabobs: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Place the assembled kabobs in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for 12-15 minutes, turning the kabobs halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning and cooking.
- Prepare the glaze: While the kabobs cook, pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan. Heat it over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly. This glaze will add additional flavor after cooking.
- Brush and serve: Once the kabobs are cooked through and have a nice caramelized exterior, remove them from the air fryer. Brush the thickened marinade glaze over each kabob, garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately for a flavorful and vibrant meal.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers is essential to prevent them from burning in the air fryer.
- Use soy aminos for a gluten-free option; regular soy sauce can be substituted if gluten is not a concern.
- Adjust cooking time in the air fryer based on the size of chicken pieces to avoid undercooking or overcooking.
- For added smoky flavor, these kabobs can also be grilled on a barbecue or stovetop grill pan.
- The glaze is thickened with cornstarch or tapioca flour to help it stick to the kabobs and enhance the flavor.
