Honey-Lime Grilled Chicken Skewers (Printable)

Juicy chicken paired with zucchini and pineapple, grilled with a honey-lime glaze for vibrant flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1.5-inch cubes
02 - 3 tablespoons honey
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
04 - 2 teaspoons lime zest
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Vegetables & Fruit

10 - 2 medium zucchinis, sliced into 0.5-inch rounds
11 - 1 small pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch chunks

→ Garnish & Serving

12 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
13 - Lime wedges

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large bowl, whisk together honey, lime juice, lime zest, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika until fully combined.
02 - Add chicken cubes to the marinade, toss to coat evenly, cover the bowl, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor development.
03 - If using wooden skewers, submerge them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent charring during grilling.
04 - Set grill to medium-high heat, targeting approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
05 - Thread marinated chicken, zucchini slices, and pineapple chunks alternately onto skewers, concluding each skewer with a chicken piece.
06 - Place skewers on preheated grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken reaches complete internal doneness and develops light charring on the edges.
07 - Transfer skewers from grill and allow to rest for 3 minutes. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve alongside lime wedges.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The honey-lime marinade caramelizes beautifully on the grill, creating this glossy, slightly charred exterior that tastes like summer vacation in one bite.
  • Pineapple and zucchini grill in the same time as chicken, so you're building an entire meal on one skewer without juggling multiple pans.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, which means you're not sacrificing flavor or fussing with substitutions when feeding a mixed group.
02 -
  • Uneven chicken pieces are the enemy of perfectly cooked skewers—I spent years getting some pieces overdone while others stayed pale, until I realized consistent sizing is non-negotiable.
  • Don't skip the resting period after grilling; those 3 minutes completely change how juicy the chicken stays once you bite into it.
03 -
  • Thread your skewers with intention and don't pack them too tightly—air needs to circulate around each piece for even cooking and those beautiful charred edges.
  • Reserve a small cup of the marinade before adding the raw chicken, then drizzle it over the skewers after grilling as a finishing sauce that brings everything home.
Go Back