Pineapple Thai Grilled Chicken Skewers with Peanut Sauce

These Pineapple Thai Grilled Chicken Skewers With Peanut Sauce are a sweet and savory twist on chicken satay!

Chicken satay was a culinary game changer for me. I first tried it at a local Thai restaurant, and I remember questioning if I could ever enjoy chicken in any other form. It was that good. The smoky char from the grill and the sweet yet tangy peanut sauce—it was the kind of dish that stays with you. Naturally, I had to try and recreate all these flavors at home. And, of course, I failed spectacularly the first few tries.

But when it comes to cooking, I’m like the Little Engine That Could, chugging up that hill with a determined “I think I can, I think I can!” Eventually, I figured out the flavors—and then started creating my own spins, like these pineapple Thai grilled chicken skewers.

In this recipe, I marinate the chicken with red curry paste and coconut milk. The pineapple chunks caramelize beautifully on the grill, adding just the right amount of sweetness. And the peanut sauce? It’s creamy, slightly tangy, and just sweet enough to tie everything together.

Another reason I love this dish is that it works for everything from the main course to a delicious side. Plus, it’s a fun switch from your typical backyard barbecue fare. Ditch the burgers and basic kebabs for a taste of Thai—you won’t regret it!

Are Pineapple Thai Grilled Chicken Skewers Healthy?

Isn’t it great when something is both healthy and tasty? The chicken provides a lean protein, and the coconut milk and peanut butter are filled with plant-based fats that help keep you full. 

While the recipe calls for lower-sodium soy sauce, coconut aminos also work if you’re really watching your salt intake. For my Paleo peeps, swap the peanut butter for almond butter and the honey for maple syrup. And who doesn’t like a dose of extra veggies? Sneak in some bell peppers and zucchini—both grill beautifully on these skewers!

Simple Tips For Skewering

As I said before, it took a lot of trial and error to nail my satay recipes. But isn’t that always the case? One of the first universal truths for these skewers or any Thai-inspired satay is this—marinate, marinate, marinate. Did you get that? Underline it. You want to marinate the chicken for as long as you can, anywhere from four hours to overnight. The longer the chicken sits in the coconut milk and curry paste, the more tender and flavorful it’ll become. 

A couple of other tips—cut the chicken and pineapple into similar-sized pieces and alternate them on the skewers for a more balanced bite of sweet and savory. Also, when it’s time to grill, lightly brush the skewers with oil. It took me forever to realize how important this simple step was in preventing sticking! There’s nothing worse than watching the juicy pineapple tear on the grill.

Serving Suggestions

These skewers are fantastic as a main dish, especially when served with a side of Coconut-Lime Cauliflower Rice or Thai Cucumber Salad. That said, they are also the perfect appetizer—serve them with some fresh Spring Rolls and ​​Air-Fryer Potstickers to keep the Thai-inspired theme going! They’re also a great topping for this Thai Noodles recipe!

Recipe