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Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers with Homemade Sauce

Perfectly grilled teriyaki chicken skewers marinated in a savory-sweet homemade sauce, finished with sesame seeds and green onions.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 1
Course: Asian-Inspired, Chicken, Grilling, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Japanese
Calories: 425

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Skewers
  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts) cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 wooden or metal skewers if wooden, soak in water for 30 minutes before use
Teriyaki Sauce and Marinade
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 cup water divided
  • 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon fresh ginger grated
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
Optional Topping
  • sesame seeds for garnish
  • chopped green onions for garnish

Method
 

Prepare the Teriyaki Sauce
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of the water until smooth. Set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, combine the remaining water, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, rice vinegar, ginger, honey, and sesame oil. Add the cornstarch mixture and stir well.
  3. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring frequently. Let it cook for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens and turns a deep brown color. Remove from heat and allow the sauce to cool completely. You can speed this up by placing it in the refrigerator.
Marinate the Chicken
  1. Once the sauce is completely cool, place the cubed chicken in a large resealable plastic bag. Pour half of the sauce over the chicken, seal the bag, and gently shake to coat all pieces. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor. Set the remaining sauce aside for basting.
Grill the Skewers
  1. When the chicken has marinated, thread the cubes onto the skewers, leaving a small gap between pieces. Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 350°F).
  2. Lightly oil the grill grates, then place the skewers on the grill. Cook for 20–30 minutes, turning every 3–4 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. During the last few turns, brush the skewers with the reserved teriyaki sauce.
  3. Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a minute. Garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired. Serve over steamed rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 425kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 35gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 980mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22g

Notes

For extra tender chicken, marinate overnight in the fridge. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs, but reduce grilling time slightly to avoid drying out. Leftover sauce keeps in the fridge for up to a week and is great on veggies or tofu. To make ahead, prepare the sauce and marinate the chicken up to a day in advance. Avoid over-basting with sauce in the last few minutes to prevent burning from the sugar. Serve with a side of steamed broccoli or a simple cucumber salad.

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