Bite into a world of flavors with our homemade Chicken Teriyaki Skewers recipe. This Japanese inspired dish marries the sweetness of honey with the savoriness of soy sauce, creating an irresistible glaze that you’ll want to put on everything! But what sets this recipe apart is that it’s easy to make at home, ideal for busy weeknight dinners or weekend BBQ parties.
Exciting story: My husband is the biggest fan of these Chicken Teriyaki Skewers. The first time I made these, his eyes lit up, and he couldn’t stop raving about how delicious they were. Since then, this recipe has become a staple in our household. Our kids, who are usually picky eaters, love these skewers too! This recipe brings everyone to the table, making dinner time the best part of our day.
Why This Chicken Teriyaki Skewers Recipe is a Must-Try ?
This Chicken Teriyaki Skewers recipe is not just another chicken dish. It’s a harmonious blend of sweet and savory, with every bite taking your taste buds on a trip to Japan. The ingredients are simple and easy to find. The teriyaki marinade, with its rich blend of soy sauce, honey, ginger, and garlic, truly sets this recipe apart. And let’s not forget about the joy of eating food off a stick – it adds a fun element that both adults and kids will love.
Ingredients:
- 900g (2 lbs.) chicken thighs or breasts, cubed
- Teriyaki Sauce/Marinade:
- 30g (2 tbsp) cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 75g (1/3 cup) brown sugar
- 80ml (1/3 cup) low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 15ml (1 tbsp) rice vinegar
- 7g (1/2 tbsp) fresh minced ginger
- 15ml (1 tbsp) honey
- 2.5ml (1/2 tsp) sesame oil
- 8 skewers
- Optional Topping:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
How to Create Perfect Chicken Teriyaki Skewers ?
Let’s begin with the sauce. Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. This will be your thickening agent.
In a medium-sized saucepan, bring together the rest of the ingredients: brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, minced fresh ginger, honey, and sesame oil. Add the cornstarch slurry to this flavorful mixture.
Frequent stirring is key! Bring your sauce to a simmer, until it thickens slightly and turns a rich dark brown color. Once it achieves the perfect consistency, take the sauce off the heat and let it cool completely. If you’re in a hurry, the fridge can speed up this process.
When your sauce is cool, it’s time to prepare your chicken. Cube your chicken pieces into 1″ size, ideal for skewering. Place these chicken cubes in a large ziplock bag.
Pour half of your freshly prepared sauce into the bag with the chicken. Make sure to coat each piece by gently shaking the bag. Let this sit and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful your chicken will be. Keep the remaining sauce for later.
Now, the fun part – skewering the chicken. Once your chicken is marinated to perfection, arrange the cubes on the skewers.
Heat your grill to medium heat. If you don’t have a grill, a griddle pan will do the trick too!
When the grill is hot enough, place your chicken-laden skewers on it. Make sure your grill is lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
Grill the skewers, turning them every 3-4 minutes to ensure even cooking. This should take about 20-30 minutes. To check if the chicken is cooked, the internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
During the last few turns, baste your skewers with the remaining teriyaki sauce. This will enhance the flavors and give your skewers that delicious glaze.
Finally, remove your Chicken Teriyaki Skewers from the grill and serve. For added aesthetics and flavor, sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top. Enjoy your homemade Chicken Teriyaki Skewers, made to perfection!
Notes:
Experimenting with this Chicken Teriyaki Skewers recipe can be a lot of fun. If you’re a vegetarian, you can substitute chicken with tofu. And if you’re watching your sugar intake, consider replacing brown sugar with a natural sweetener. Enjoy your cooking adventure!
Once you try these easy, flavorful Chicken Teriyaki Skewers, you’ll never go back to store-bought again. They’re perfect for a family dinner or a casual backyard BBQ with friends. Happy cooking!
Frequently Asked Questions :
Can I use chicken breast for these skewers?
Yes, you can use either chicken thighs or breasts for this Chicken Teriyaki Skewers recipe.
Can I use a different sweetener instead of honey?
Yes, you can substitute honey with other natural sweeteners like agave nectar or maple syrup in the marinade.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
We recommend marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes. However, for a deeper flavor, you can marinate it for 2-3 hours or even overnight.
Chicken Teriyaki Skewers
Ingredients
- 900 g 2 lbs. chicken thighs or breasts, cubed
- Teriyaki Sauce/Marinade:
- 30 g 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 75 g 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 80 ml 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 15 ml 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 7 g 1/2 tbsp fresh minced ginger
- 15 ml 1 tbsp honey
- 2.5 ml 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 8 skewers
- Optional Topping:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Let's begin with the sauce. Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl to create a slurry. This will be your thickening agent.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, bring together the rest of the ingredients: brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, minced fresh ginger, honey, and sesame oil. Add the cornstarch slurry to this flavorful mixture.
- Frequent stirring is key! Bring your sauce to a simmer, until it thickens slightly and turns a rich dark brown color. Once it achieves the perfect consistency, take the sauce off the heat and let it cool completely. If you're in a hurry, the fridge can speed up this process.
- When your sauce is cool, it's time to prepare your chicken. Cube your chicken pieces into 1" size, ideal for skewering. Place these chicken cubes in a large ziplock bag.
- Pour half of your freshly prepared sauce into the bag with the chicken. Make sure to coat each piece by gently shaking the bag. Let this sit and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful your chicken will be. Keep the remaining sauce for later.
- Now, the fun part – skewering the chicken. Once your chicken is marinated to perfection, arrange the cubes on the skewers.
- Heat your grill to medium heat. If you don't have a grill, a griddle pan will do the trick too!
- When the grill is hot enough, place your chicken-laden skewers on it. Make sure your grill is lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
- Grill the skewers, turning them every 3-4 minutes to ensure even cooking. This should take about 20-30 minutes. To check if the chicken is cooked, the internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- During the last few turns, baste your skewers with the remaining teriyaki sauce. This will enhance the flavors and give your skewers that delicious glaze.
- Finally, remove your Chicken Teriyaki Skewers from the grill and serve. For added aesthetics and flavor, sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top. Enjoy your homemade Chicken Teriyaki Skewers, made to perfection!
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