Teriyaki Chicken Skewer

One of the best parts about making teriyaki chicken skewers is the incredible aroma that fills your kitchen as they cook. The sweet and savory scent of the teriyaki sauce caramelizing on the chicken is downright irresistible. It’s the kind of smell that makes your stomach growl in anticipation and draws everyone to the kitchen, eager to sneak a taste.

As the chicken skewers sizzle on the grill or in the oven, the teriyaki sauce transforms into a sticky glaze, coating each piece of tender chicken with a mouthwatering lacquer. The rich umami flavors of the soy sauce combine with the sweetness of the brown sugar and the tang of the mirin and rice vinegar to create a truly addictive marinade. Every bite is a perfect balance of sweet and savory, with a hint of garlic and ginger adding depth to the dish.

When you take that first juicy bite of teriyaki chicken off the skewer, you’re rewarded with a burst of flavor that dances on your taste buds. The tender chicken practically melts in your mouth, its caramelized edges offering a satisfying crunch. It’s a harmonious medley of textures and tastes that leaves you longing for more with each bite.

In my family, teriyaki chicken skewers are a beloved weeknight dinner option, but they’re also a popular choice for potlucks and backyard barbecues. There’s something about food on a stick that just makes it more fun to eat, don’t you think? Plus, the individual skewers make portion control a breeze – not that anyone can resist going back for seconds!

So, the next time you’re looking for a simple yet crowd-pleasing dish to whip up, consider making teriyaki chicken skewers. Whether you serve them as a main course, appetizer, or party snack, they’re sure to be a hit. Just be prepared to share the recipe because once your friends and family get a taste, they’ll be begging you to spill the secret behind your irresistible teriyaki chicken skewers.

Key Ingredients in Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

If you want to recreate the magic of teriyaki chicken skewers in your own kitchen, you’ll need to gather a few key ingredients that make this dish truly unforgettable. From the succulent chicken to the flavorful marinade, each component plays a vital role in creating the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.

• Chicken Breast: The star of the show, chicken breast is the main protein in this dish. When marinated and cooked to perfection, it becomes tender and juicy, making it the ideal vehicle for soaking up all the delicious teriyaki flavors.
• Soy Sauce: A staple in Asian cooking, soy sauce adds a rich umami flavor to the marinade. Its salty notes help to balance out the sweetness of the other ingredients, creating a complex and well-rounded taste.
• Mirin: This sweet rice wine brings a subtle sweetness to the teriyaki sauce, enhancing its depth of flavor. It also helps to tenderize the chicken during the marinating process, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Honey: Acting as a natural sweetener, honey not only adds sweetness to the marinade but also helps to caramelize the chicken as it cooks. This results in a beautifully glazed finish that is both visually appealing and delicious.
• Rice Vinegar: Providing a slight tanginess to the sauce, rice vinegar helps to cut through the richness of the other ingredients. It adds a refreshing contrast that keeps the dish from being overly sweet.
• Garlic: Aromatic and pungent, minced garlic infuses the marinade with a savory depth of flavor. It adds a subtle kick to the dish and complements the sweetness of the teriyaki sauce beautifully.
• Ginger: Freshly grated ginger adds a warm and spicy note to the marinade, balancing out the sweetness and adding a touch of brightness. Its zesty flavor helps to liven up the dish and give it a bit of heat.
• Sesame Oil: Just a small amount of sesame oil goes a long way in enhancing the overall aroma and flavor profile of the dish. Its nutty and toasted notes add a distinctive Asian flair to the teriyaki sauce.
• Cornstarch: Used as a thickening agent, cornstarch helps to create a glossy and cohesive sauce that coats the chicken evenly. It transforms the marinade into a luscious glaze that clings to the chicken, adding an irresistible sheen.
• Water: Mixed with cornstarch, water helps to create a slurry that thickens the teriyaki sauce, giving it the perfect consistency to coat the chicken skewers.
• Sesame Seeds: Sprinkled on top for a final touch, sesame seeds add a bit of crunch and nuttiness to the dish. They also contribute to the overall presentation, making the teriyaki chicken skewers visually appealing.
• Green Onions: Chopped green onions not only add a pop of color to the dish but also provide a fresh and slightly pungent flavor. They act as a garnish, adding a burst of freshness to each bite.
• Vegetable Oil: Used for grilling, vegetable oil helps prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill and adds a delicious charred flavor to the skewers. It also helps to achieve those beautiful grill marks that make the dish look even more appetizing.

How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Serving Suggestions for Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

• Rice Bowl Delight: Transform your teriyaki chicken skewers into a complete meal by serving them over a bed of fluffy steamed rice. The fragrant teriyaki glaze will seep into the rice, creating a delightful flavor explosion with each bite. Add some sautéed vegetables or a side of crispy edamame for a balanced and satisfying meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
• Lettuce Cup Crunch: For a fun and interactive twist, serve your teriyaki chicken skewers alongside a DIY lettuce cup station. Fill crisp lettuce leaves with a few pieces of chicken, drizzle with extra teriyaki glaze, and sprinkle with chopped peanuts and cilantro. Let your guests customize their lettuce wraps with their favorite toppings for a refreshing and light alternative to traditional skewers.
• Asian-Inspired Skewer Platter: Elevate your teriyaki chicken skewers by turning them into the centerpiece of an Asian-inspired skewer platter. Pair them with other grilled favorites like beef bulgogi skewers, shrimp satay, and vegetable yakitori. Arrange the skewers artfully on a large platter, garnish with fresh herbs and lime wedges, and watch as your guests delight in a colorful and flavorful assortment of skewered delights.

How to Store Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

If you find yourself with leftover teriyaki chicken skewers, fear not! You can easily store them to enjoy later without compromising on flavor and texture. To keep your delicious skewers fresh and tasty, there are a few simple ways you can store them.

One option is to refrigerate the cooked teriyaki chicken skewers. Allow them to cool to room temperature before transferring them to an airtight container. Make sure the container is sealed properly to prevent any air from getting in and causing the skewers to dry out. Stored this way, your teriyaki chicken skewers can last for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked teriyaki chicken skewers. Once they have cooled completely, place the skewers in a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing the container to reduce the risk of freezer burn. When properly stored in the freezer, teriyaki chicken skewers can last for up to 2-3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen teriyaki chicken skewers, simply thaw them overnight in the refrigerator. You can then reheat them in the oven or microwave until heated through. The flavors may slightly intensify after freezing, but the delicious taste of the teriyaki sauce will still shine through.

Whether you choose to refrigerate or freeze your teriyaki chicken skewers, remember to store them properly to maintain their freshness and flavor. With these storage tips in mind, you can enjoy your favorite dish anytime you crave that irresistible blend of sweet and savory teriyaki goodness.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned all about the irresistible appeal of teriyaki chicken skewers, it’s time to roll up your sleeves, grab your ingredients, and get cooking! From the mouthwatering marinade to the perfectly grilled chicken, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

The sweet and savory flavors, the tender and juicy chicken, and the aroma that fills your kitchen as you cook – it all comes together to create a dish that is both comforting and exciting. Whether you’re serving these skewers as a weeknight dinner, party appetizer, or backyard barbecue delight, they are guaranteed to impress.

So, don’t hesitate to try your hand at making these teriyaki chicken skewers. And remember, if you have any questions, need tips, or simply want to share your experience with the recipe, feel free to leave a comment below. I’m here to help and would love to hear how your teriyaki chicken adventure turned out!

Feel free to print this article to keep it handy for your next cooking session. And until next time, happy cooking and enjoy every delicious bite of your homemade teriyaki chicken skewers!

Print Recipe

Teriyaki Chicken Skewer

Author: Maria Bennet Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 30 mins Cook Time 15 mins Rest Time 5 mins Total Time 50 mins

Calories: 250

Description

Juicy, tender chunks of chicken grilled to perfection, glazed with a rich, sweet-savory teriyaki sauce that caramelizes over the flames. Each skewer is a perfect balance of smoky, savory, and slightly tangy flavors—pure bliss in every bite!

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 2 pounds chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes

• ¹⁄₄ cup soy sauce

• ¹⁄₄ cup mirin

• 2 tablespoons honey

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated

• 1 tablespoon sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons water

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

• 2 green onions, chopped

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for grilling)

Instructions

1. Start by cutting the chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes, ensuring that they are all roughly the same size for even cooking.
2. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the soy sauce, mirin, honey, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger, stirring gently to mix the ingredients.
3. Add the sesame oil to the bowl, mixing it thoroughly with the other ingredients to form the marinade.
4. Place the cubed chicken into a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over the chicken.
5. Seal the bag or cover the dish, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the chicken to marinate and absorb the flavors.
6. While the chicken is marinating, prepare a small bowl with cornstarch and water, mixing them together until the cornstarch is fully dissolved, forming a slurry.
7. After the marinating time has passed, remove the chicken from the refrigerator and set it aside.
8. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, ensuring the grill grates are well-oiled to prevent sticking.
9. Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece to ensure even grilling.
10. Brush the chicken with a small amount of vegetable oil to prevent it from sticking to the grill.
11. Once the grill is ready, place the chicken skewers on the grill, cooking for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has grill marks.
12. While the chicken is grilling, pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
13. Add the cornstarch slurry to the saucepan and stir constantly, allowing the sauce to thicken into a glossy glaze.
14. Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove the skewers from the grill and brush the glaze over the grilled chicken.
15. Sprinkle sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the glazed chicken to add texture and flavor.
16. Serve the teriyaki chicken skewers immediately, either on their own or with rice or vegetables for a complete meal.

Note

• Ensure the chicken cubes are uniform in size to cook evenly on the grill.
• Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but longer (up to 4 hours) will enhance the flavor.
• For extra flavor, you can add a dash of sesame oil to the marinade.
• If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
• Serve with steamed rice and grilled vegetables for a well-rounded meal.

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