Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers – Perfect BBQ Flavor
These Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors, perfect for any BBQ or weeknight dinner. Tender chicken pieces marinated in a rich teriyaki sauce are grilled to perfection with colorful vegetables.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Chicken breast (optional substitution)
- Soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- Brown sugar or honey (for sweetener)
- Rice vinegar (for non-alcoholic mirin substitute)
- Grated fresh ginger
- Minced garlic
- Cornstarch (optional thickener)
- Bell peppers (red, yellow, orange)
- Red onion
- Zucchini or yellow squash
- Pineapple chunks
- Wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients – Pat the chicken thighs dry and cut them into uniform 1 to 1.5-inch cubes. Wash and chop the vegetables into pieces roughly the same size as the chicken cubes. Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes if using.
- Step 2: Marinate the Chicken – Whisk together the teriyaki sauce ingredients in a medium bowl. Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2-4 hours.
- Step 3: Assemble the Skewers – Thread a piece of chicken onto the skewer, alternating with vegetables and finishing with another piece of chicken or a pineapple chunk. Leave space between each piece for even cooking.
- Step 4: Cook Your Skewers – For grilling, preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates and place the skewers on the grill, cooking for 8-12 minutes, turning every 2-3 minutes. For baking, preheat the oven to 400°F, arrange skewers on a baking sheet, and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Step 5: Rest and Serve – Let the skewers rest for 5 minutes after cooking. Garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Ensure uniform size for chicken and vegetables for even cooking. Reserve some teriyaki sauce before marinating for basting later. Consider separate skewers for chicken and vegetables for better control over cooking times.