Recipe: Chicken on sticks for holiday get-togethers

December 26, 2025 | 3:59pm

MANILA, Philippines — These days, it is easy to prepare for impromptu guests who suddenly show up during the Christmas season.

Marinated meats and poultry are now available in major supermarkets. All one needs to do is choose the flavors one wants, have them weighed according to how much is needed, and pay.

These can be kept in the freezer for “emergency” party situations, then quick-thaw in the smart oven, and cook. Some are fried, and some can be grilled.

At Magnolia Chicken Station, for example, one can have the premium cut of choice or pick marinated ones that fit one’s need, with thigh fillets being perfect for barbecues and skewers.

One handy recipe to have is this Skewered Pineapple Chicken Rolls developed by the San Miguel Foods Culinary Center.

They are marinated in a bold blend of turmeric, cumin, garlic, and ginger, and each piece is wrapped around sweet pineapple chunks and grilled to perfection. Then one can make a unique rich and creamy peanut-coconut dip to go with it.

Easy to prepare and bursting with sweet and savory flavors, this recipe makes 10 delicious and generous skewers that everyone will love.

Skewered Pineapple Chicken Rolls

Main Ingredients:

• 5 pcs. or 625 grams of Magnolia Chicken Station Thigh Fillets, cut into two and pounded lightly
• 20 pcs. or 260 grams of pineapple chunks in syrup, drained

Marinade Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. of turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. of cumin
• 1 tsp. of onion powder
• 1 tsp. of garlic powder
• 1 tsp. of white pepper
• 1 tsp. of cinnamon
• 1 tsp. of ginger powder
• 1/2 pc. or 75 grams of lemon, juice squeezed to make 2 Tbsps.

Dip Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsps. of peanut butter
• 1 cup or 120 grams of ground peanuts
• 1 pc., 5 grams, or 1 Tbsp. of chopped shallots
• 1 Tbsp. of turmeric powder
• 1 Tbsp. of ginger juice
• 2 Tbsps. of panutsa
• 2 Tbsps. of patis (fish sauce)
• 1 cup or 266 ml. of gata (coconut milk)
• 2 Tbsps. of soy sauce

Procedure:

1. In a bowl, combine the Marinade Ingredients.
2. Add chicken thigh fillets and marinate for at least 30 minutes in the chiller.
3. Put some pineapple chunks on each piece of chicken. Fold the ends and roll it up. Then, stick some skewers through it.
4. Prepare griller and grill chicken until cooked through.
5. To make the dip, combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes.
6. Serve the dip with the cooked chicken skewers.

Additonal tips:

• Flatten chicken with a mallet so it’s thin enough to roll around pineapple chunks.
• Go for fresh pineapple instead of the canned pineapple.
• Pan-grill or pan-fry if a griller is not available.

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