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Grilled teriyaki chicken skewers garnished with sesame seeds and green onions

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Delicious chicken skewers marinated in a homemade teriyaki sauce, perfect for family gatherings or summer barbecues.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Japanese
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the Teriyaki Sauce
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 cup water
  • cup brown sugar
  • cup soy sauce low sodium recommended
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • ½ tbsp fresh ginger minced
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • ½ tsp sesame oil
For the Chicken Skewers
  • 2 lbs chicken thighs or breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
  • Sesame seeds optional, for garnish
  • Chopped green onion optional, for garnish

Method
 

Make the Sauce
  1. Combine the cornstarch and water in a small bowl until smooth.
  2. In a medium saucepan, add brown sugar, soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, ginger, honey, and sesame oil.
  3. Pour in the cornstarch-water mixture and stir well. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce reaches a simmer and lightly thickens into a dark brown glaze.
Cool the Sauce
  1. Remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool completely. To speed things up, you can place it in the refrigerator.
Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a large ziplock bag, add the cubed chicken pieces.
  2. Pour half of the cooled teriyaki sauce over the chicken, seal the bag, and gently shake to coat the chicken evenly.
  3. Marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Reserve the remaining sauce for later use.
Prepare the Grill
  1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
Skewer the Chicken
  1. Take the marinated chicken from the ziplock bag and thread the pieces onto the skewers, leaving space between each piece.
Grill the Skewers
  1. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
  2. Place the chicken skewers on the grill and cook for about 20-30 minutes, turning them every 3-4 minutes.
  3. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Baste with reserved teriyaki sauce during the last few turns.
Serve and Enjoy
  1. Remove the skewers from the grill and serve hot, garnished with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Notes

You can add vegetables like bell peppers and onions to the skewers for added nutrition. For oven-baked skewers, preheat your oven to 400°F and bake on a lined baking sheet for 20-25 minutes.