Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe- Grilled Perfection

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are a weeknight game-changer, a crowd-pleasing favorite that brings a taste of vibrant Asian-inspired cuisine right into our kitchens. There’s something undeniably magical about tender, marinated chicken chunks grilled to juicy perfection, coated in that irresistible sweet and savory teriyaki glaze. Why do we all love them so much? It’s the perfect balance of flavors – the umami depth of soy sauce, the subtle sweetness of non-alcoholic mirin and sugar, and a hint of gin extractger and garlic that creates a symphony on your taste buds. These aren’t just skewers; they’re miniature flavor bombs that are incredibly versatile, equally at home at a backyard barbecue as they are for a quick and satisfying dinner. Let’s dive into creating your own batch of delicious Teriyaki Chicken Skewers!

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

There’s something undeniably satisfying about perfectly grilled chicken skewers, especially when they’re coated in a glossy, savory-sweet teriyaki glaze. These Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for a weeknight dinner, a backyard barbecue, or even a fun appetizer. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the incredible flavor payoff. We’ll be marinating tender chicken pieces and then grilling them to perfection, ensuring every bite is bursting with that classic teriyaki goodness. Get ready to impress yourself and your guests with this straightforward yet incredibly delicious dish!

Ingredients:

Preparing the Chicken and Skewers

The first step in creating these fantastic skewers is to prepare your chicken and get your skewers ready. If you’re using chicken breasts, make sure to trim any excess fat. For chicken thighs, they are naturally more forgiving and tend to stay juicier, but trim any particularly large pieces of fat if you prefer. Cut the chicken into uniform 1-inch cubes. This ensures even cooking and makes them perfect for threading onto the skewers. If you’re using wooden skewers, it’s crucial to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes, or even longer, before you plan to cook. This prevents them from burning on the grill or under the broiler. You can place them in a shallow dish filled with water or even tuck them into a large Ziploc bag filled with water.

Crafting the Irresistible Teriyaki Glaze

Now, let’s talk about the star of the show: the teriyaki glaze. This homemade sauce is incredibly easy to whip up and tastes so much better than anything store-bought. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch and 1 cup of water until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and there are no lumps. This step is important for creating a smooth and thickened glaze. Add the brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, minced fresh gin extractger, and honey to the saucepan. Stir everything together well. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly. As it heats up, you’ll notice the sauce begin extractning to thicken. Continue to cook and stir for about 5-7 minutes, or until the glaze has thickened to a syrupy consistency. You want it thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pourable. Once it has reached your desired thickness, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the sesame oil. The sesame oil adds a wonderful depth of flavor and aroma that’s characteristic of teriyaki. Let the glaze cool slightly.

Marinating for Maximum Flavor

This is where the magic truly happens. Once your teriyaki glaze has cooled down a bit, it’s time to marinate the chicken. Place your cubed chicken into a large bowl or a resealable plastic bag. Pour about half of the cooled teriyaki glaze over the chicken. Reserve the other half of the glaze for basting later. Toss the chicken to ensure every piece is generously coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. The longer the chicken marinates, the more infused with flavor it will become. Don’t marinate for too long, especially if using chicken breasts, as the acidity in the glaze can start to break down the proteins too much, leading to a mushy texture.

Assembling and Grilling the Skewers

With your chicken marinated and skewers ready, it’s time to assemble. Carefully thread the marinated chicken cubes onto your soaked skewers. Don’t overcrowd the skewers; leave a little space between each piece of chicken to allow for even cooking and browning. You should be able to fit about 4-5 pieces of chicken per skewer, depending on the length of your skewers and the size of your chicken cubes.

The Grilling Process

Now, let’s get these skewers cooked to perfection! You have a couple of options here: grilling or broiling.

Grilling Instructions:

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Clean your grill grates thoroughly and then oil them to prevent sticking. Place the chicken skewers on the hot grill. Grill for approximately 3-4 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has developed nice char marks. During the last few minutes of grilling, brush the skewers generously with the reserved teriyaki glaze. This will create a beautiful, sticky, and caramelized coating. Continue to cook, turning the skewers, until the glaze is slightly thickened and caramelized onto the chicken.

Broiling Instructions:

If you don’t have a grill, you can easily achieve similar results under the broiler. Preheat your broiler and position an oven rack about 4-6 inches from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup, and place a wire rack on top of the baking sheet. Arrange the chicken skewers on the wire rack. Broil for 3-4 minutes per side, watching closely to prevent burning. Just like with grilling, during the last few minutes of broiling, brush the skewers with the reserved teriyaki glaze and continue to broil until the glaze is caramelized.

Serving Your Delicious Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Once your Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are beautifully cooked and glazed, remove them from the heat. Let them rest for a minute or two before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute within the chicken, ensuring a more tender and moist result. Arrange the skewers on a serving platter. For a final flourish and a burst of freshness, sprinkle them generously with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. These add both visual appeal and a delightful crunch and savory note that complements the teriyaki flavor perfectly. Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious, homemade teriyaki goodness! These skewers are fantastic on their own, or you can serve them with steamed rice, a fresh salad, or some stir-fried vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

Conclusion:

I hope you’ve enjoyed this recipe for Teriyaki Chicken Skewers! These skewers are a truly fantastic option for a weeknight dinner, a backyard barbecue, or even a fun appetizer. The combination of tender, marinated chicken with that sweet and savory teriyaki glaze is simply irresistible. They’re quick to prepare, incredibly flavorful, and always a crowd-pleaser. Don’t hesitate to give these Teriyaki Chicken Skewers a try – you won’t be disappointed!

For serving, I love pairing them with fluffy steamed rice, a crisp Asian-inspired slaw, or even a side of grilled corn. They also make a wonderful addition to a larger spread of grilled items.

Feeling adventurous? You can easily customize these skewers! Try adding colorful bell peppers, onions, or even chunks of pineapple to the skewers for an extra burst of flavor and texture. For a spicier kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the marinade or a drizzle of sriracha before serving can elevate them.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the teriyaki marinade ahead of time?

Absolutely! The teriyaki marinade can be made up to 2-3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This is a great way to save time when you’re ready to cook.

What if I don’t have skewers?

No problem! If you don’t have skewers, you can simply grill or pan-fry the marinated chicken pieces without them. They will still be incredibly delicious, though they might lose a little of that fun presentation!

How long do I need to marinate the chicken?

For the best flavor, I recommend marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes. For an even deeper flavor, you can marinate it for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator. Avoid marinating for too much longer than that, as the acidity in some teriyaki sauces can start to break down the chicken too much.

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Juicy chicken skewers marinated and glazed with a sweet and savory homemade teriyaki sauce.

Prep Time
15 Minutes

Cook Time
15 Minutes

Total Time
30 Minutes

Servings
8 skewers

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. chicken thighs (or breasts) (cut into 1″ cubes)
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 cup water
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup soy sauce (*low sodium recommended )
• 2 cloves garlic (minced )
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1/2 tbsp fresh ginger extract (minced )
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 8 skewers
• sesame seed
• chopped green onion

Instructions

1. Step 1
   Cut chicken thighs or breasts into 1″ cubes. Thread chicken onto 8 skewers.
2. Step 2
   In a saucepan, whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth. Add brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, minced ginger, and honey.
3. Step 3
   Cook the teriyaki sauce mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil.
4. Step 4
   Brush chicken skewers generously with the teriyaki sauce.
5. Step 5
   Grill or broil skewers for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with more sauce, until chicken is cooked through and caramelized.
6. Step 6
   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.