Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are the perfect combination of sweet and savory! Tender chicken in a teriyaki marinade grilled to perfection. The ultimate quick and easy dinner.
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe
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Skewers are a great quick and easy meal that the whole family will love! There are endless variations. One of our favorite flavors is teriyaki!
This recipe is great for any day of the week because it only takes 25 minutes to make. The skewers can be BBQed, air fried, or pan fried so you can enjoy them all year round!
What are Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
These skewers are a classic Japanese dish. Tender chicken is marinated in a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce. Grilled, pan fried or air fried to perfection and garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.
The teriyaki marinade keeps the chicken incredibly tender and moist. The green onions add a fresh pop of onion flavor. These skewers are simply irresistible!
What to Serve with this Dish
Ingredients
- Chicken - we recommend using boneless skinless chicken thighs for the most tender and moist skewers. You can also use boneless skinless chicken breast if you prefer.
- Soy Sauce - regular or low sodium soy sauce can be used. It adds a beautiful color and rich umami flavor.
- Brown Sugar & Honey - the combination adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the marinade. It also thickens the marinade while cooking leaving you with sweet and sticky skewers!
- Sesame Oil - this rich oil adds a deep sesame flavor.
- Garlic & Ginger - the perfect aromatic pair in Asian cooking!
- Sesame Seeds - used to garnish the skewers.
- Green Onion - adds a pop of color and fresh onion flavor to the skewers when serving.
How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Full Printable Recipe at Bottom of page
- If using wooden skewers soak in water prior to cooking for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup combine the teriyaki marinade ingredients. Mix until evenly combined.
- Add the cut chicken to a large bowl or Ziploc bag. Add ¾ of the teriyaki marinade (the reserved marinade will be used to baste the chicken while cooking).
- Seal the bag and mix until the chicken is evenly coated. Set aside to marinate for 15 minutes – overnight.
- Skewer the marinated chicken onto metal or wooden skewers.
- AIR FRYER COOKING METHOD
Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Air fry the skewers in batches at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F). Baste the chicken halfway through cooking.
BBQ COOKING METHOD
Grill over medium-high heat for about 5-6 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165ºF). Baste with the reserved marinade after flipping the chicken.
PAN FRIED COOKING METHOD
Using a grill pan, cast iron skillet, or frying pan, cook the skewers over medium-high heat for about 6-7 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), basting with the reserved teriyaki marinade after flipping. - Transfer the cooked skewers to a serving platter. Top with sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Skewers
- Skewers - You can use either wooden or metal skewers. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using them. This prevents the skewers from burning during cooking. If using metal skewers, make sure they fit in the air fryer basket. If using long wooden skewers, you can carefully break them in half if you need to shorten them to fit in your air fryer.
- Chicken - Be sure to cut the pieces of chicken into the same size to ensure even cooking. If the pieces are different sizes you will end up with some over cooked and some perfectly cooked pieces of chicken. For the most tender and moist skewers we recommend boneless skinless chicken thighs. However, you can also use boneless skinless chicken breast if you prefer.
- Variations - classic Japanese teriyaki chicken skewers are made with just chicken. However, for a more hearty and well balanced meal you can add any veggies you like to the skewers! Cut the veggies the same size as the chickens so everything cooks evenly. You can add bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, or onions.
FAQ
To reheat cooked skewers and maintain crispness, you can reheat in the air fryer or oven at 350ºF until warmed through or reheat in the microwave. If you have any leftover reserved teriyaki sauce, you can baste them during and after reheating.
Store the chicken skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last up to 4 days.
Yes! Once seasoned chicken is on the skewers, you can store them in the refrigerator or freeze them before cooking. If stored in the refrigerator, they will last 2-3 days, covered. These can also be frozen ahead of time by wrapping the chicken skewers tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer safe bag. They will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to cook them, let the skewers thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
These can also be frozen (cooked or raw) by wrapping the chicken skewers tightly in plastic wrap and storing in a freezer safe bag or container. They will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat the cooked skewers, thaw in the fridge overnight and follow the above reheating notes. To cook the raw skewers, thaw in the fridge overnight and then follow the cooking instructions in the recipe card.
This recipe is gluten free (note: some brands of soy sauce may contain gluten, be sure to check the soy sauce is gluten free).
This recipe is dairy free.
Enjoy!
- Sab
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs (boneless skinless, cut into bite sized pieces, or boneless skinless chicken breast)
- 10 skewers (metal or wooden (soaked in water for 30 minute))
Teriyaki Marinade
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup soy sauce (low sodium or regular)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoon ginger (grated)
- 4 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Garnish
- Sesame Seeds
- Green Onions (thinly sliced)
Instructions
- If using wooden skewers soak in water prior to cooking for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- In a small bowl or measuring cup combine the teriyaki marinade ingredients. Mix until evenly combined.
- Add the cut chicken to a large bowl or Ziploc bag. Add ¾ of the teriyaki marinade (the reserved marinade will be used to baste the chicken while cooking).
- Seal the bag and mix until the chicken is evenly coated. Set aside to marinate for 15 minutes – overnight.
- Skewer the marinated chicken onto metal or wooden skewers.
- AIR FRYER COOKING METHODPreheat air fryer to 400°F. Air fry the skewers in batches at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F). Baste the chicken halfway through cooking.BBQ COOKING METHODGrill over medium-high heat for about 5-6 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165ºF). Baste with the reserved marinade after flipping the chicken.PAN FRIED COOKING METHODUsing a grill pan, cast iron skillet, or frying pan, cook the skewers over medium-high heat for about 6-7 minutes per side or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), basting with the reserved teriyaki marinade after flipping.
- Transfer the cooked skewers to a serving platter. Top with sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions.
- Serve and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
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