Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe-Grill Perfect

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are an absolute weeknight wonder! Imagin extracte tender, succulent pieces of chicken, marinated in a sweet and savory teriyaki glaze, then grilled to perfection until they’re lightly caramelized and bursting with flavor. It’s no wonder these Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are a perennial favorite for barbecues, potlucks, or simply a delicious family dinner. What makes them so incredibly special? It’s that irresistible combination of sticky, glossy teriyaki sauce that clings to every bite, the smoky char from the grill, and the sheer convenience of serving them on a stick. They’re fun to eat, packed with umami goodness, and always a crowd-pleaser. Get ready to elevate your grilling game with this incredibly satisfying and easy-to-make recipe!

Ingredients:

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers: A Flavorful Fiesta!

There’s something undeniably appealing about food cooked on a stick. It’s fun, it’s easy to eat, and it’s a fantastic way to infuse maximum flavor into every bite. My Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are a perfect example of this magic, bringin extractg together tender, juicy chicken with a classic sweet and savory teriyaki glaze that’s incredibly satisfying. Whether you’re firing up the grill for a summer cookout or looking for a quick and delicious weeknight meal, these skewers are sure to be a hit.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the incredible depth of flavor achieved with a few key ingredients. The homemade teriyaki sauce is a game-changer. Forget those store-bought versions that can sometimes be too salty or too sweet; this one strikes the perfect balance, with notes of umami from the soy sauce, sweetness from the brown sugar and honey, and a fragrant zing from the fresh garlic and gin extractger.

Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s talk about the chicken. I prefer using chicken thighs because they are more forgiving and stay incredibly moist and tender, even when grilled. However, chicken breasts work perfectly well too, just be mindful not to overcook them to prevent them from drying out. Cutting the chicken into uniform 1-inch cubes is crucial for even cooking and ensures that each piece gets coated beautifully with that luscious teriyaki glaze.

Now, let’s get these delicious skewers ready to cook!

Preparing the Chicken and Marinade

The first step is to prepare your chicken. Ensure your chicken is cut into roughly 1-inch cubes. This size is ideal for skewering and will cook through evenly. If you’re using wooden skewers, remember to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before you plan to use them. This prevents them from burning on the grill or under the broiler.

Next, we’ll create our flavorful teriyaki marinade. In a medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce (I strongly recommend using low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness), minced garlic, rice vinegar, minced fresh gin extractger, honey, and sesame oil. This blend of ingredients will form the base of our delicious glaze.

Once your marinade is well combined, add the cubed chicken to the bowl. Toss everything together gently to ensure each piece of chicken is coated evenly with the teriyaki mixture. You can marinate the chicken for as little as 30 minutes at room temperature, or for a more intense flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. If marinating for longer than 2 hours, it’s best to do so in the refrigerator.

Skewering the Chicken

After the chicken has had a chance to marinate, it’s time to thread it onto the skewers. Carefully thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the prepared skewers, leaving a small space between each piece. This spacing allows for better air circulation and ensures that all sides of the chicken get nicely browned and caramelized. Don’t overcrowd the skewers; aim for about 4-5 pieces of chicken per skewer, depending on their length.

Cooking the Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

You have a few options for cooking these delightful skewers.

Grilling Method

If you’re using a grill, preheat it to medium-high heat. Once hot, place the skewers on the grill grates. Grill for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and beautifully charred. Baste the skewers with any remaining marinade during the last few minutes of cooking. It’s important to keep an eye on them to prevent burning, especially with the sugars in the glaze.

Broiling Method

Alternatively, you can use your oven’s broiler. Preheat your broiler to high. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup and place the skewered chicken on top. Place the baking sheet about 4-6 inches away from the broiler element. Broil for about 3-4 minutes per side, turning once. Again, watch them closely as broilers can cook very quickly and char ingredients fast. Baste with extra marinade during the last minute of cooking.

Pan-Frying Method

For a stovetop option, heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the skewers in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, turning as needed, until the chicken is cooked through and nicely browned. You can brush them with the reserved marinade during the last minute of cooking.

Thickening the Remaining Sauce

While your chicken is cooking, you’ll want to transform any leftover marinade into a thicker, glossier sauce. Pour any unused marinade into a small saucepan. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Add this cornstarch slurry to the saucepan with the marinade. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency, which should only take a few minutes. This thick, glossy sauce is perfect for drizzling over your finished skewers.

Serving Your Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Once your teriyaki chicken skewers are perfectly cooked and have that beautiful caramelized exterior, remove them from the heat. Arrange them on a serving platter. Drizzle generously with the thickened teriyaki sauce. For a burst of freshness and color, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions. These skewers are fantastic served on their own as an appetizer or as a main course alongside steamed rice, a simple salad, or some grilled vegetables. Enjoy the explosion of sweet, savory, and slightly tangy flavors in every delicious bite!

Conclusion:

There you have it – simple, delicious Teriyaki Chicken Skewers that are sure to become a new favorite! This recipe truly shines because of its incredible flavor payoff with minimal effort. The sweet and savory teriyaki glaze perfectly caramelizes on the chicken, creating tender, juicy bites that are an absolute delight. Whether you’re grilling them up for a backyard barbecue, serving them as an appetizer for guests, or whipping them up for a quick weeknight dinner, these skewers are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. I highly encourage you to give this recipe a try; you won’t regret it!

Serve these fantastic Teriyaki Chicken Skewers alongside fluffy white rice, a fresh garden salad, or steamed broccoli for a complete and satisfying meal. For a fun twist, consider adding chunks of pineapple or bell peppers to the skewers before grilling – the sweetness of the pineapple complements the teriyaki beautifully, and the peppers add a lovely crunch and vibrant color. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite vegetables!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the teriyaki sauce from scratch?

Absolutely! While the recipe uses store-bought teriyaki sauce for convenience, you can easily make your own delicious teriyaki sauce from scratch using ingredients like soy sauce, brown sugar, non-alcoholic mirin, gin extractger, and garlic. This allows you to control the sweetness and saltiness to your exact preference.

What kind of chicken should I use?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal for these skewers because they stay incredibly moist and tender even when grilled. However, you can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts if you prefer a leaner option. Just be mindful of cooking time with chicken breasts to prevent them from drying out.

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Juicy chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce, grilled to perfection on skewers.

Prep Time
20 Minutes

Cook Time
12 Minutes

Total Time
32 Minutes

Servings
8 skewers

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. chicken thighs (cut into 1″ cubes)
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1/2 tbsp fresh ginger (minced)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• sesame seed (for garnish)
• chopped green onion (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1
   In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, minced ginger, and sesame oil. This is your teriyaki marinade.
2. Step 2
   Add the cubed chicken to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
3. Step 3
   While the chicken marinates, soak the skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
4. Step 4
   Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers.
5. Step 5
   Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken skewers for 8-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through and lightly charred.
6. Step 6
   In a small saucepan, whisk together cornstarch and water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened. This is your teriyaki glaze.
7. Step 7
   Brush the grilled chicken skewers with the thickened teriyaki glaze. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions before serving.

Important Information

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.