Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers – Quick Grill Recipe

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, a vibrant explosion of sweet, savory, and umami flavors that we just can’t get enough of. There’s something inherently joyful about food served on a stick, isn’t there? These Teriyaki Chicken Skewers embody that spirit perfectly. Whether you’re firing up the grill for a backyard barbecue, hosting a casual get-together, or simply craving a taste of something truly delicious and satisfying, this recipe delivers. What makes them so special? It’s the irresistible glaze, a perfect balance of soy sauce, non-alcoholic mirin, non-alcoholic sake, and a touch of sweetness, that caramelizes beautifully on the tender chicken, creating a sticky, addictive coating. They’re incredibly versatile, making them ideal for appetizers or a main course, and they always disappear in a flash.

Get ready to master the art of the perfect Teriyaki Chicken Skewers!

Prepare yourself for compliments!

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

There’s something undeniably satisfying about perfectly grilled chicken skewers, and when they’re coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory teriyaki glaze, it’s a flavor explosion that can’t be beat. These Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for a backyard barbecue, a quick weeknight dinner, or even a fun appetizer. The beauty of skewers is their versatility; you can marinate them, grill them, or even bake them, and they always come out delicious. The homemade teriyaki sauce is the star here, infusing every bite with that classic umami goodness.

Ingredients:

Cooking Instructions:

The magic of these teriyaki chicken skewers lies in both the tender chicken and the irresistible glaze. Let’s get started by preparing our flavorful sauce and getting the chicken ready for its flavor bath.

Making the Teriyaki Glaze

In a medium saucepan, combine the cornstarch and water. Whisk them together until the cornstarch is fully dissolved and there are no lumps. This slurry will act as a thickener for our sauce, giving it that perfect sticky consistency. Next, add the brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and minced gin extractger to the saucepan. Stir everything together to combine.

Now, place the saucepan over medium heat. We want to bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly. As it heats up, you’ll notice it start to thicken. Continue to simmer and stir for about 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. This is crucial for achieving that signature teriyaki glaze texture. Once thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the honey and sesame oil. The honey adds an extra layer of sweetness and helps with caramelization when grilling, while the sesame oil provides a subtle nutty aroma and flavor that is characteristic of teriyaki. Let the sauce cool slightly.

Preparing the Chicken and Skewering

While the sauce is cooling, prepare your chicken. If you haven’t already, cut your chicken thighs or breasts into uniform 1-inch cubes. Uniformity in size is important for even cooking, ensuring that no pieces are overcooked or undercooked. Place the chicken cubes in a large bowl.

Pour about half of the cooled teriyaki glaze over the chicken cubes. Reserve the remaining half for basting later. Toss the chicken gently to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated in the delicious glaze. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 15-30 minutes at room temperature, or for a longer, more intense flavor, cover the bowl and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. If you’re using wooden skewers, it’s a good idea to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes prior to assembling the skewers. This prevents them from burning on the grill.

Once the chicken has marinated and your skewers are ready, thread the glazed chicken cubes onto the skewers. Don’t overcrowd the skewers; leave a little space between each piece of chicken to allow for even cooking and better heat circulation. Aim for about 4-5 pieces of chicken per skewer, depending on the length of your skewers.

Grilling the Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Make sure the grill grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.

Carefully place the prepared chicken skewers onto the hot grill. Grill for about 4-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has nice char marks. During the grilling process, brush the skewers generously with the reserved teriyaki glaze every few minutes. This basting is what gives the skewers their glossy finish and deep, rich flavor. Continue to turn and baste until the chicken is cooked to your desired doneness. You can test for doneness by cutting into a piece of chicken; it should no longer be pink in the center.

Serving Your Delicious Skewers

Once the teriyaki chicken skewers are perfectly grilled, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a minute or two. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and moist chicken.

Transfer the skewers to a serving platter. Garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions. The sesame seeds add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor, while the green onions provide a fresh, vibrant contrast to the rich teriyaki. Serve hot and enjoy the incredible flavors! These skewers are fantastic on their own or served with steamed rice and a side of steamed or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.

Conclusion:

I hope you’re as excited as I am to try these Teriyaki Chicken Skewers! This recipe truly shines because it’s incredibly versatile, delivers fantastic flavor with minimal fuss, and is perfect for a variety of occasions. The balance of sweet and savory in the homemade teriyaki sauce is simply irresistible, and grilling the chicken skewers creates that delightful char and smoky essence. They are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, whether you’re hosting a barbecue, planning a weeknight dinner, or packing a lunch.

Beyond their deliciousness, these teriyaki chicken skewers are wonderfully adaptable. Serve them as a hearty main course alongside fluffy rice and a crisp green salad, or enjoy them as an appetizer at your next gathering. Feel free to experiment with different vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or zucchini threaded onto the skewers alongside the chicken for added color and nutrition. You could even try swapping chicken thighs for chicken breast, or for a vegetarian option, cubes of firm tofu or paneer work beautifully!

I truly encourage you to give these Teriyaki Chicken Skewers a go. They’re a simple yet impressive way to elevate your home cooking and create a meal that everyone will rave about. Don’t be intimidated by making your own teriyaki sauce – it’s surprisingly easy and so much more rewarding than store-bought!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make these Teriyaki Chicken Skewers in advance?

Yes, you absolutely can! You can marinate the chicken for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator. You can also assemble the skewers a few hours ahead of time and keep them covered in the fridge. Grilling them just before serving ensures they are at their best.

What if I don’t have a grill? Can I still make these?

Definitely! If you don’t have a grill, you can easily cook these teriyaki chicken skewers indoors. Pan-searing them in a hot skillet or baking them on a sheet pan in the oven at around 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, will yield delicious results. You won’t get quite the same smoky flavor as grilling, but they’ll still be fantastic.

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Juicy chicken skewers marinated and glazed with a homemade teriyaki sauce, perfect for grilling or baking.

Prep Time
30 Minutes

Cook Time
15 Minutes

Total Time
45 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
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1/2 tbsp fresh ginger (minced)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• sesame seed
• chopped green onion

Instructions

1. Step 1
   In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, minced ginger, honey, and sesame oil to create the teriyaki marinade.
2. Step 2
   Add the cubed chicken to a bowl and pour about half of the teriyaki marinade over it. Toss to coat evenly and let marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator).
3. Step 3
   Thread the marinated chicken onto 8 skewers.
4. Step 4
   In a small saucepan, combine the remaining teriyaki marinade with 1 cup of water and 2 tbsp cornstarch. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens into a glaze.
5. Step 5
   Grill the skewers over medium-high heat, or bake at 400°F (200°C), for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through.
6. Step 6
   Brush the chicken skewers generously with the thickened teriyaki glaze during the last few minutes of cooking.
7. Step 7
   Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onion 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.