I love making marinated chicken skewers on the grill during the summer. But when the weather isn’t cooperating, I’ve found that air fryer chicken kabobs are the perfect alternative! You get the same juicy meat and caramelization you crave, without having to step foot outside.
These chicken kabobs (sometimes spelled kebabs) are skewers loaded with chunks of chicken, vegetables, fruit, and a delicious teriyaki marinade.
While I’m using pineapple, bell peppers, and onions for a Hawaiian vibe, you can easily swap out for your favorite vegetables. Kabobs are so versatile and that’s one of the reasons I love them!
The air fryer does an amazing job of giving you perfect browning on your chicken and veggies, while keeping the meat nice and moist as well.
They only take about 15 minutes to cook up perfectly, and you can do a lot of the prep ahead of time to save even more time. That makes these chicken skewers perfect for an easy weeknight meal!
What You’ll Need: Ingredients
1 – 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1” chunks
½ cup prepared teriyaki sauce
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1” chunks
½ red onion, cut into 1” chunks
10 ounces pineapple chunks
Ingredient Notes and Tips
I use chicken tenderloins because they’re easy to cut to size. However, you can use any chicken breast you have on hand
For the teriyaki sauce I like the Soy Vay Island Teriyaki for this, as it has all the right tropical flavors for Hawaiian chicken skewers. However, you can use your favorite, or see my quick homemade Microwave Teriyaki Sauce if you want to make your own!
Feel free to swap in any other vegetables you like in place of the onions and peppers!
You can use fresh or canned pineapple chunks. If you use canned, make sure to pick the version in juice (instead of sugar syrup)
How to Cook Chicken Kabobs in the Air Fryer
In a bowl or Ziploc bag, combine the chicken chunks and teriyaki marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes, but up to overnight
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (or the closest setting your air fryer has)
Thread the chicken, onion, pepper, and pineapple in an alternating pattern onto skewers, leaving about ½” of space at each end
Place the chicken kabobs into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
Cook on the air fry setting for 12 minutes at 380°F, pausing halfway through to flip the skewers over
Chicken kabobs are done when the thickest piece of chicken reaches 165°F in the center and the edges are browned to your liking
Serve over rice with additional teriyaki sauce for dipping
What to Serve With Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs
Rice
Coconut rice
Coleslaw
Corn on the cob
Macaroni salad
Pasta salad
Cheesy potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Corn salad
Green salad
Fruit salad
Tropical drinks
There are lots of great sides to serve with Hawaiian chicken kabobs to complete your meal.
On average, you cook chicken kabobs for 12-15 minutes in an air fryer. The time will vary slightly based on the size of your chicken pieces as well as your specific air fryer.
Make sure that the thickest piece of chicken is cooked to 165°F in the middle for food safety.
Can You Put Chicken Skewers in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can absolutely put chicken skewers in an air fryer. The air fryer cooks the meat and vegetables, delivering caramelization around the edges and nice, juicy meat.
It’s much faster when compared to the oven, and a great alternative preparation to the grill.
Can You Put Wooden Kabobs in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can put wooden kabobs or metal ones in an air fryer.
In fact, wood is easier to trim to fit if your skewers are too long for your air fryer’s basket.
Do Chicken Kabobs Need to Be Flipped in the Air Fryer?
Yes, chicken kabobs should be flipped in the air fryer during cooking.
Much like grilling them, this helps to promote even heating and browning.
Recipe Pro Tips
You may use either metal or wood skewers for this recipe. If your air fryer basket doesn’t fit a standard skewer, use wood and trim the excess length off
To add a thick glaze to the top of your chicken kabobs, add ½ tsp cornstarch to about ¼ cup of teriyaki sauce and microwave until it bubbles and thickens
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover chicken kabobs in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Reheat Hawaiian chicken skewers in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes, or until warmed through. You can do so on the skewer, or pull everything off and just put it in the basket loosely
These air fryer chicken kabobs come out perfectly juicy and caramelized without having to fire up the oven or grill. They’re even simple enough for a weeknight dinner!
Sweet pineapple and savory teriyaki sauce pairs beautifully with onions and bell pepper to give these chicken skewers Hawaiian vibes. Pair it with a side of coconut rice for the ultimate tropical meal!
If you want more Hawaiian classics, then you have to try the amazing flavors of Air Fryer Spam Musubi!
Feel free to change things up as well, experimenting with different proteins, vegetables, and sauces to try out all the great varieties of air fryer kebabs you can create!
Hawaiian Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Kabobs in Air Fryer
These easy air fryer chicken kabobs feature skewers of chicken marinated in teriyaki sauce paired with pepper, onion, and pineapple for a tropical Hawaiian style twist!
1 – 1½Poundsboneless, skinless chicken breastcut into 1" chunks
½Cupprepared teriyaki sauce
1Red bell peppercut into 1" chunks
½Red onioncut into 1" chunks
10Ouncespineapple chunks(drained)
Instructions
In a bowl or Ziploc bag, combine the chicken chunks and teriyaki marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes, but up to overnight
1 – 1½ Pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, ½ Cup prepared teriyaki sauce
Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (or the closest setting your air fryer has)
Thread the chicken, onion, pepper, and pineapple in an alternating pattern onto skewers, leaving about ½” of space at each end
1 Red bell pepper, ½ Red onion, 10 Ounces pineapple chunks
Place the chicken kabobs into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
Cook on the air fry setting for 12 minutes at 380°F, pausing halfway through to flip the skewers over
Chicken kabobs are done when the thickest piece of chicken reaches 165°F in the center and the edges are browned to your liking
Serve over rice with additional teriyaki sauce for dipping
Notes
I use chicken tenderloins because they’re easy to cut to size. However, you can use any chicken breast you have on hand
For the teriyaki sauce I like the Soy Vay Island Teriyaki for this, as it has all the right tropical flavors for Hawaiian chicken skewers. However, you can use your favorite!
Feel free to swap in any other vegetables you like in place of the onions and peppers
You can use fresh or canned pineapple chunks. If you use canned, make sure to pick the version in juice (instead of sugar syrup)
You may use either metal or wood skewers for this recipe. If your air fryer basket doesn’t fit a standard skewer, use wood and trim the excess length off
To add a thick glaze to the top of your chicken kabobs, add ½ tsp cornstarch to about ¼ cup of teriyaki sauce and microwave until it bubbles and thickens (about 1 – 1 ½ minutes)
Store leftover chicken kabobs in the refrigerator for up to 3 days
Reheat Hawaiian chicken skewers in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes, or until warmed through. You can do so on the skewer, or pull everything off and just put it in the basket loosely
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any additional sauces or sides added, and total quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
