Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers-Grill or Bake

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are an absolute game-changer for weeknight dinners and backyard BBQs alike. There’s just something undeniably satisfying about those tender, marinated morsels of chicken, grilled to juicy perfection and coated in that irresistible sweet and savory teriyaki glaze. It’s a dish that consistently gets rave reviews, and for good reason! The magic of these Teriyaki Chicken Skewers lies in their incredible flavor profile – that perfect balance of soy sauce, gin extractger, garlic, and a touch of sweetness that makes your taste buds sing. They’re also wonderfully versatile; you can whip them up in minutes for a quick and healthy meal, or marinate them ahead for an even deeper flavor infusion. Whether you’re a seasoned grill master or a kitchen novice, these Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Why We Love Them

Perfectly Glazed Perfection

These skewers are a testament to simple ingredients creating extraordinary flavor. The teriyaki marinade acts as both a tenderizer and a flavor powerhouse, transforming everyday chicken into something truly special. The grilling process adds a lovely char and smokiness that elevates the dish even further. They’re easy to eat, fun to share, and consistently delicious. What’s not to love?

Ingredients:

Let’s get cooking! These Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are an absolute crowd-pleaser, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a backyard barbecue. The sweet and savory teriyaki glaze, combined with tender chicken, is a flavor combination that’s hard to beat. And the best part? They’re surprisingly easy to make! We’ll walk through each step to ensure you get perfectly glazed, juicy skewers every time.

Preparing the Chicken and Marinade

First things first, let’s prep our chicken. If you’re using chicken breasts, trim any excess fat. For thighs, you can remove the bone and skin if you prefer, though they do add wonderful flavor and moisture. Cut your chicken into uniform 1-inch cubes. This ensures that all the pieces cook evenly on the skewers. Consistency is key here!

Now, let’s craft that irresistible teriyaki glaze. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch and water until the cornstarch is completely dissolved. This step is crucial to avoid lumps in our sauce. Then, add the brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, minced gin extractger, and honey. Give it all another good stir to combine.

Cooking the Teriyaki Sauce

Place the saucepan over medium heat. We want to bring this mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently. As it heats up, the sauce will begin extract to thicken. You’re looking for a consistency that coats the back of a spoon. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Once it reaches this delightful glaze-like texture, stir in the sesame oil. This adds a subtle nutty aroma and depth of flavor that’s characteristic of good teriyaki. Remove the sauce from the heat and set it aside. We’ll use this to coat our chicken.

Assembling the Skewers

While the sauce is cooling slightly, it’s time to thread our chicken onto the skewers. If you’re using wooden skewers, it’s a good idea to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes beforehand. This prevents them from burning on the grill or in the oven. Thread the chicken cubes onto the skewers, leaving a small space between each piece to allow for even cooking and glazing. Aim for about 4-5 chicken pieces per skewer, depending on their size. This will give you roughly 8 skewers as indicated in our ingredients.

Grilling the Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Now for the fun part! Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you’re not grilling, you can also cook these under the broiler in your oven. Brush the grill grates with a little oil to prevent sticking. Place the assembled skewers on the hot grill.

Cook for about 4-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char. During the last few minutes of cooking, generously brush the skewers with the prepared teriyaki glaze. Turn them frequently, basting each side with the sauce. The glaze will caramelize beautifully, creating those irresistible sticky bits that we all love. Be careful not to burn the glaze; keep an eye on it and adjust the heat if needed. If you’re using the broiler, place the skewers on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil for 3-5 minutes per side, basting with the glaze during the last few minutes, and watching them closely to prevent burning.

Serving Your Delicious Skewers

Once the chicken is cooked and beautifully glazed, carefully remove the skewers from the grill or oven. Let them rest for just a minute or two. This allows the juices to redistribute, making the chicken even more tender and succulent. To serve, arrange the teriyaki chicken skewers on a platter. Garnish generously with toasted sesame seeds and freshly chopped green onions. The sesame seeds add a delightful crunch, and the green onions provide a fresh, slightly pungent contrast to the sweet and savory glaze.

These teriyaki chicken skewers are fantastic served with steamed rice, a fresh green salad, or your favorite grilled vegetables. Enjoy the incredible flavors you’ve created!

Conclusion:

And there you have it – our foolproof guide to making incredibly delicious Teriyaki Chicken Skewers! This recipe truly is a winner because it delivers that irresistible sweet and savory teriyaki flavor with tender, juicy chicken, all in an easy-to-handle and fun-to-eat skewer format. They’re perfect for grilling, broiling, or even pan-frying, making them a versatile option for any occasion. I find myself coming back to this recipe again and again for BBQs, weeknight dinners, or even as an appetizer for gatherings. The bright, glossy glaze coating each piece of chicken is simply mouthwatering!

Serve these fantastic Teriyaki Chicken Skewers alongside fluffy steamed rice and a crisp Asian-inspired slaw for a complete and satisfying meal. They also pair wonderfully with grilled vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and zucchini. Feeling adventurous? Consider adding chunks of pineapple to the skewers for a tropical twist, or swap out the chicken for cubes of firm tofu or shrimp for a different protein experience. I really encourage you to give this recipe a try; you won’t be disappointed!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I make the teriyaki sauce from scratch?

Absolutely! While the store-bought sauce is convenient, making your own teriyaki sauce from scratch allows for complete control over the sweetness and saltiness. A basic homemade sauce typically includes soy sauce, non-alcoholic mirin (sweet rice vinegar), non-alcoholic sake (optional), sugar or honey, and grated gin extractger and garlic. It’s surprisingly simple and adds an extra layer of homemade goodness to your Teriyaki Chicken Skewers.

How do I prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill?

To prevent sticking, make sure your grill grates are clean and well-oiled before you start cooking. Brushing the grates with a high-smoke-point oil like canola or vegetable oil is key. Also, ensure the skewers are properly marinated and not overloaded with chicken pieces, allowing for even heat distribution. Flipping them regularly also helps.

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
20 Minutes

Total Time
50 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
   Cut chicken into 1″ cubes and thread 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, honey, and sesame oil. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Step 3
   Place chicken skewers in a shallow dish. Pour about half of the teriyaki sauce over the skewers, ensuring they are well coated. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
4. Step 4
   Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, or preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
5. Step 5
   Grill skewers for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and lightly charred. Alternatively, bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through.
6. Step 6
   During the last few minutes of cooking, brush the skewers with the remaining teriyaki sauce.
7. Step 7
   Remove from heat, sprinkle 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.