Description
Mouthwatering teriyaki chicken skewers combine Japanese flavors with grilled perfection. Marinated chicken pieces glazed with sweet soy sauce create an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 grams) chicken thighs, cubed (can use breasts)
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- ⅓ cup (79 ml) soy sauce (low sodium)
- ⅓ cup (71 grams) brown sugar
- 2 tbsps (30 grams) cornstarch
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp (21 grams) honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tbsp ginger, minced
- ½ tsp sesame oil
- 8 skewers
- Sesame seeds (optional)
- Chopped green onion (optional)
Instructions
- Sauce Preparation: Whisk cornstarch with water in a small bowl until smooth, creating a seamless thickening base for the teriyaki sauce.
- Sauce Cooking: Transfer cornstarch mixture to a medium saucepan, blend in remaining sauce ingredients, and heat while stirring continuously until the liquid transforms into a rich, glossy brown consistency.
- Sauce Cooling: Remove sauce from heat and refrigerate to expedite cooling, ensuring a chilled teriyaki base for marination.
- Chicken Marination: Slice chicken into uniform cubes and place in a large resealable bag, coating thoroughly with half the prepared teriyaki sauce. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavor infusion.
- Grill Preparation: Preheat outdoor grill or grill pan to medium heat, lightly oiling the cooking surface to prevent sticking.
- Skewer Assembly: Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, maintaining even spacing for consistent cooking.
- Grilling Process: Position skewers on heated grill, rotating every 3-4 minutes to achieve caramelization. During final moments, brush remaining teriyaki sauce over skewers to create a glistening exterior.
- Doneness Check: Confirm chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F, typically requiring 20-30 minutes of total cooking time.
- Serving: Garnish with finely chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds, serving immediately while chicken remains hot and sauce maintains its appetizing sheen.
Notes
- Sauce Thickening Technique: Whisk cornstarch with water until completely smooth to prevent lumps and ensure a silky, glossy teriyaki sauce.
- Marination Magic: Allow chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to maximize flavor absorption and tenderize the meat thoroughly.
- Grill Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat to achieve perfect caramelization without burning the chicken or sauce.
- Safety First: Always check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F to guarantee safe and fully cooked meat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes marinating time)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 305
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg