Description
Sizzling teriyaki chicken skewers deliver Japanese-inspired grilling magic straight to summer dinner tables. Juicy marinated chicken pieces glazed with sweet-savory sauce promise a quick, delicious meal you’ll savor with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 12–15 bamboo or metal skewers (if using bamboo, soak in water for 30 minutes before using)
Teriyaki Marinade and Sauce:
- 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 0.33 cup (80 milliliters) honey (or brown sugar)
- 0.25 cup (60 milliliters) rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sesame oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water (slurry)
Garnish (Optional):
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Craft a robust marinade by blending soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing vessel. Separate a portion for future basting and dipping purposes.
- Immerse chicken pieces thoroughly in the marinade within a sealed container, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Transfer reserved marinade to a compact saucepan. Activate heat to medium, introducing a cornstarch mixture to create a glossy, thickened sauce. Remove from warmth once consistency transforms.
- Carefully thread marinated chicken onto wooden skewers, maintaining consistent spacing to guarantee uniform heat distribution.
- For grilling: Establish medium-high temperature on grill surface. Position skewers, rotating periodically and brushing with teriyaki glaze. Cook until internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Alternative oven preparation: Preheat to 400°F. Arrange skewers on foil-lined baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes, intermittently turning and glazing. Activate broiler for 2-3 minutes to achieve caramelized edges.
- Elevate presentation by sprinkling toasted sesame seeds and finely sliced green onions. Accompany with steamed rice, noodles, or crisp vegetables, presenting additional teriyaki sauce for complementary dipping.
Notes
- Experiment with different protein options like tofu, shrimp, or beef to create varied teriyaki skewers for diverse dietary preferences.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the authentic teriyaki flavor profile.
- Allow extra marinating time for deeper flavor penetration, but avoid exceeding 4 hours to prevent meat texture breakdown.
- Consider soaking wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading chicken to prevent burning during grilling or baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg