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    Home » Recipes » Chicken

    Grilled Chicken Skewers with Tomato Relish

    Modified: Aug 13, 2023 · Published: Jul 15, 2016 by Sharon Rigsby · Leave a Comment

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    Grilled Chicken Skewers with Tomato Relish

    Just in time for your weekend cookout, I have a yummy, quick, easy, and just a little different recipe for you: Grilled Chicken Skewers with Tomato Relish. And, boy, oh boy, is it good!

    Grilled Chicken Skewers, cherry tomato skewer, scallions and lemons on a grill.

    This foolproof recipe for Grilled Chicken Skewers with Tomato Relish uses flavorful boneless, skinless chicken thighs marinated in a delicious sauce of pineapple juice, soy sauce, and brown sugar and then grilled. And, as if it wasn’t already tasty enough, the chicken is topped with a bright, bold, and scrumptious tomato relish made with grilled cherry tomatoes, scallions, and lemons.

    This delicious tomato relish sets this dish apart, elevating the flavors of the marinated chicken to the next level.  

    If you love chicken cooked on the grill as I do, you might also like these recipes: Grilled Half Chicken, Grilled Spatchcock Chicken, and Grilled Beer Can Chicken. If it’s raining or cold outside, check out my recipes for Broiled Chicken Thighs, Baked Chicken Thighs, or Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs. 

    Ingredients:

    The ingredients are simple: boneless, skinless chicken thighs, or you could substitute chicken breasts, cherry tomatoes, scallions, lemons, pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, low-sodium soy sauce, ground ginger, garlic, unsalted butter, honey, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. You will also need 6 metal skewers for this recipe.  (If you don’t have skewers, you could grill the chicken and vegetables in a grill basket.)

    Grilled Chicken Skewers with Tomato Relish ingredients including chicken breast and cherry tomatoes.

    How to make Grilled Chicken Skewers:

    To make this delicious dish gather your ingredients and add the pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, ground ginger, and garlic to a small bowl and mix well. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the marinade mixture to add to the tomato relish.

    Marinade for Grilled Chicken Skewers with Tomato Relish in a large glass measuring cup.

    Pour the remaining marinade mixture into a gallon size plastic bag and add the chicken. Seal the bag and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. (The longer the better!)

    Marinade mixture and chicken in a gallon size plastic bag.

    Loosely thread the chunks of marinated chicken on the skewers. The pieces should be touching, but not packed together or compressed.

    Thread the cherry tomatoes on the skewers.

    Chicken skewers, cherry tomato skewer, lemon halves, and scallions on a baking sheet.

    Set up your grill for direct heat cooking. Clean and oil the grate and place on the grill.

    Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (around 375-450°F ) Place the chicken skewers, cherry tomato skewers, scallions and lemon halves cut side down on the grate and cover.

     Chicken Skewers, cherry tomato skewer, scallions and lemons on a grill.

    Grill the chicken for about 15 minutes or until done, turning every few minutes or so.

    Grill the vegetables for about 10 minutes or until charred, turning scallions and tomatoes as needed to brown evenly.

    Remove the chicken and vegetables from the grill,  tent the chicken with foil and let it rest for about 10 minutes.

    Grilled Chicken Skewers, cherry tomato skewer, scallions and lemons on a baking sheet.

    In the meantime, mix the reserved marinade, butter, and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat until the butter is melted.

    Chop the scallions, squeeze the juice out of the lemons, and combine with the tomatoes and honey mixture in a small bowl. Using a potato masher, coarsely mash the tomatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste if needed.

    The tomato relish in a bowl.

    Serve the tomato relish over the grilled chicken and garnish with fresh basil if desired. Enjoy!

    Grilled Chicken Skewers with Tomato Relish on a serving platter garnished with scallions and lemon.

    Serve it with these sides:

    Add Hasselback Potatoes, Southern Potato Salad, or Smoked Baked Beans, and you will have a healthy meal perfect for a family cookout or a barbecue with friends.

    Expert tips:

    Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Aim for pieces that are about 1 to 1.5 inches in size.

    If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes before threading the chicken. This prevents them from burning on the grill.

    Make sure your grill is preheated to a medium-high heat (around 375-450°F or 190-230°C) before you start grilling.

    Brush the grill grates with a bit of oil or use a paper towel dipped in oil to prevent sticking.

    Leave a small gap between each piece of chicken on the skewer. This ensures proper airflow and even cooking.

    ⭐ ⭐ ⭐⭐⭐ If you make this dish, please leave a comment and give this recipe a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!

    Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones; I hope you come back soon!

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    Grilled Chicken Skewers, cherry tomato skewer, scallions and lemons on a grill.

    Grilled Chicken Skewers with Tomato Relish

    Sharon Rigsby
    Perfect for your next BBQ, Grilled Chicken Skewers with Tomato Relish features marinated chicken kabobs topped with grilled tomatoes, scallions, and lemons!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 353 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks (about 6 thighs), can substitute breasts

    Chicken Marinade

    • ½ cup pineapple juice
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • ⅓ cup ketchup
    • ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
    • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced

    Tomato Relish

    • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
    • 1 bunch scallions
    • 2 lemons
    • 2 tablespoons reserved chicken marinade
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 2 tablespoons honey

    Instructions
     

    • Add the pineapple juice, brown sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, ground ginger, and garlic to a small bowl and mix well. Reserve two tablespoons of the marinade mixture to add to the tomato relish.
    • Pour the remaining marinade mixture into a gallon size plastic bag and add the chicken. Seal the bag and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. (The longer the better!)
    • Loosely thread the chunks of marinated chicken on the skewers. The pieces should be touching, but not packed together or compressed.
    • Thread the cherry tomatoes on the skewers.
    • Set up your grill for direct heat cooking. Clean and oil the grate and place on the grill.
    • When the grill and grates are hot, place the chicken skewers, cherry tomato skewers, scallions and lemon halves cut side down on the grate and cover.
    • Grill the chicken for about 15 minutes or until done, turning every few minutes or so.
    • Grill the vegetables for about 10 minutes or until charred, turning scallions and tomatoes as needed to brown evenly.
    • Remove the chicken and vegetables from the grill, tent the chicken with foil and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
    • In the meantime, mix the reserved marinade, butter, and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat until the butter is melted.
    • Chop the scallions, squeeze the juice out of the lemons, and combine with the tomatoes and honey mixture in a small bowl. Using a potato masher, coarsely mash the tomatoes. Add salt and pepper to taste if needed.
    • Serve the tomato relish over the grilled chicken and garnish with chopped basil if desired. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces to ensure even cooking. Aim for pieces that are about 1 to 1.5 inches in size.
    If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes before threading the chicken. This prevents them from burning on the grill.
    Before grilling, ensure your grill is preheated to medium-high heat (around 375-450°F or 190-230°C).
    Brush the grill grates with oil or use a paper towel dipped in oil to prevent sticking.
    Leave a small gap between each piece of chicken on the skewer. This ensures proper airflow and even cooking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 353kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 32gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.05gCholesterol: 138mgSodium: 915mgPotassium: 356mgFiber: 2gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 1100IUVitamin C: 44.6mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 1.8mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today! Mention @gritspinecones or tag #gritspinecones!

     

    Grilled Chicken Skewers with Tomato Relish

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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, content creator, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and I like nothing better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

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