Name: Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce; 3 tablespoons light brown sugar packed; 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons honey; 2 teaspoons minced garlic; 1 teaspoon grated ginger; 1 teaspoon pure sesame oil; 4 tablespoons cold water; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 8 bamboo skewers; 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1 to 1½-inch pieces; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper; 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion optional garnish; 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds optional garnish

There’s something about the sweet, glossy glaze and smoky char of grilled teriyaki chicken that just hits the spot every single time. This Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe nails that perfect balance of savory, sweet, and a little tangy bite — plus, it’s fast enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for guests.

A white plate filled with a bed of fluffy white rice as the base layer, topped with two wooden skewers of grilled chicken pieces coated in a shiny, dark brown glaze with some charred spots. The chicken is garnished with small pieces of bright green chopped scallions and white sesame seeds scattered on top. In the background, there is a white marbled surface and a small round clear bowl filled with white sesame seeds, along with part of another white plate holding more glazed chicken skewers. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made teriyaki chicken skewers plenty of ways, but this recipe always stands out because of its simplicity and flavor-packed glaze. It’s the kind of recipe I turn to when I want something satisfying without fussing over complicated steps.

Quick & Easy: The sauce comes together in just a few minutes on the stove—no need for long marinades (though you can marinate for more flavor!).
Perfectly Balanced Sauce: Sweet, salty, tangy, and garlicky—all in one gorgeous glaze that clings to each juicy bite of chicken.
Grill-Friendly: Cooking these on skewers makes grilling a breeze and adds that irresistible smoky char.
Customizable & Fun: You can easily switch up garnishes or sides to match your mood—plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

The image shows six skewers of grilled chicken pieces arranged closely on a large white plate. Each skewer has several chunks of chicken that are glossy with dark brown and reddish glaze, showing some charred spots from grilling. A wooden brush with a metal band is brushing a shiny sauce over the chicken on one skewer in the foreground. The chicken pieces have a slightly uneven texture with the glaze making them look moist and shiny. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

All the ingredients here work harmoniously to create that classic teriyaki flavor we all love. You’re combining umami-rich soy sauce, the caramel sweetness of brown sugar and honey, and a touch of acid from rice wine vinegar for brightness. Plus, fresh garlic and ginger add complexity, while sesame oil lends a toasty aroma.

Flat lay of fresh raw boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into chunky pieces, a small white ceramic bowl of light brown sugar packed, a small white ceramic bowl with minced garlic, a small white ceramic bowl holding grated ginger, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl of low-sodium soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl containing clear rice wine vinegar, a small white ceramic bowl with pure sesame oil, a small white ceramic bowl of cold water, a small white ceramic bowl of white cornstarch powder, a few whole uncracked brown eggs, a small pile of thinly sliced fresh green onions, a small heap of toasted sesame seeds, and a few bamboo skewers arranged neatly, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Low-sodium soy sauce: Keeps saltiness in check but still packs that essential umami punch.
Light brown sugar: Adds a deep caramel sweetness that balances the tang and salt.
Rice wine vinegar: Gives an acidic brightness that keeps the sauce fresh and lively.
Honey: Adds a natural sweetness and helps the glaze get sticky and shiny when cooked.
Minced garlic: Fresh garlic makes all the difference—adds warmth and a punch of flavor.
Grated ginger: Brings a subtle zing and warmth beneath the sweetness.
Pure sesame oil: Just a little goes a long way to boost that authentic toasted sesame note.
Cornstarch & cold water: Used to thicken up the sauce perfectly for that finger-licking glaze.
Bamboo skewers: Soaking them first helps prevent burning during grilling.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Juicy and forgiving on the grill, thighs stay tender without drying out.
Kosher salt & black pepper: Simple seasoning that lets the teriyaki shine.
Green onion & toasted sesame seeds (optional): For that final pop of color and crunch.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love playing around with this recipe to keep it interesting. Sometimes I add pineapple chunks between the chicken pieces for a sweet, juicy surprise. And when I’m short on time, I skip marinating but still get flavor from the glaze.

Variation: Adding veggies like bell peppers and onions on the skewers transforms this into a colorful, complete meal. I’ve found that grilling the veggies separately and tossing them in some leftover teriyaki sauce takes things to another level.
Diet tweaks: For a low-sugar version, swap out brown sugar and honey for a sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener—just adjust sweetness to taste.
Cooking method: If you don’t have a grill, these skewers do great under the broiler or on a grill pan too.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Up the Teriyaki Sauce

Start by combining the soy sauce, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil in a medium saucepan set over medium-high heat. Whisk everything together and let the mixture come to a gentle simmer. Meanwhile, mix your cornstarch into cold water before slowly whisking it into the simmering sauce. Keep stirring—this helps avoid lumps and ensures the sauce thickens smoothly in about 4-5 minutes. Once thick and glossy, remove it from the heat and let it cool while you prep the chicken.

Step 2: Prepare Your Skewers and Chicken

Soak those bamboo skewers in water for at least 20 minutes to keep them from burning on the grill. Meanwhile, cut your chicken thighs into generous 1 to 1½-inch pieces—this ensures they stay juicy and cook evenly. Thread the pieces onto the skewers, leaving a bit of space at the bottom to handle them easily on the grill.

Step 3: Season and Brush

Lightly sprinkle the chicken skewers with kosher salt and cracked black pepper. Then grab your sauce—the recipe calls for reserving a bit aside for brushing after cooking—use a pastry brush to slather the remaining teriyaki sauce evenly over all sides of the chicken. This not only flavors the meat but also helps it caramelize on the grill.

Step 4: Grill to Perfection

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. I love using a charcoal grill for that authentic smoky vibe—it takes about 15 minutes to get the coals right—but a gas grill or grill pan works just as well. Place the skewers on the grill and cook them for about 5-7 minutes per side. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn; you’re aiming for a beautiful char while the internal temperature hits 165°F. Once done, brush the reserved teriyaki sauce all over for that glossy sweet finish.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Before serving, sprinkle the skewers with thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for added color, texture, and that delightful final touch. Serve immediately while still warm and juicy.

Top Tip

Through trial and error, I’ve picked up a few tricks to make these Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers shine every time. A little attention at the start saves you from a dry, tough chicken end result.

Soak Your Skewers: Don’t skip this step! Keeping the bamboo skewers wet prevents them from catching fire and adds a subtle steam effect while grilling.
Watch Your Heat: Too hot and your sauce burns quickly, too low and the chicken dries out. Medium-high heat is your sweet spot for caramelized but juicy results.
Don’t Overcrowd: Give your skewers space on the grill for even cooking and easier flipping.
Reserve Sauce for Glazing: Brushing sauce on at the end adds fresh flavor and shine without burning your glaze on the grill.

How to Serve Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always go for thinly sliced green onions for that mild onion crunch and visual pop, plus plenty of toasted sesame seeds for a nutty hit. Sometimes, I add a sprinkle of red chili flakes if I want a little heat to contrast the sweet glaze—it’s irresistible!

Side Dishes

My favorite sides are steamed jasmine rice or sticky rice to soak up that extra teriyaki sauce. A cold crisp cucumber salad or lightly sautéed bok choy with garlic pairs beautifully and balances the richness. For something heartier, you can serve with a simple noodle salad tossed in sesame oil and rice vinegar.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like laying the skewers over a bed of shredded cabbage or mixed greens, then drizzling a bit of extra teriyaki sauce around the plate. Adding edible flowers or fresh herbs like cilantro adds a restaurant-quality touch that always impresses guests without extra work.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once your skewers have cooled, I recommend removing the chicken from the skewers and storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 4 days and is great tossed into salads or stir-fries.

Freezing

I’ve had good luck freezing cooked chicken pieces (off the skewers) in a ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Just make sure to cool completely before freezing, and thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture.

Reheating

For leftover teriyaki chicken, reheating gently in a skillet over medium-low heat keeps it moist. Add a splash of water or extra teriyaki sauce while warming to refresh the glaze and avoid drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for this recipe?

You absolutely can! Chicken breasts can work, but they tend to dry out more easily on the grill. If you prefer chicken breasts, I recommend marinating them a little longer and watching cook time closely to keep them juicy.

How long can I marinate the chicken in the teriyaki sauce?

While this recipe works wonderfully with a quick brush of sauce, marinating the chicken for 30 minutes to 2 hours really lets the flavors sink in. I wouldn’t recommend more than 4 hours because the acid in the vinegar can start to break down the meat too much.

Do these skewers work with other meats or vegetables?

Definitely! The sauce pairs great with pork, beef, or even tofu. Veggies like bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions also do well on skewers. Just adjust cooking times since vegetables usually cook faster than meat.

How do I prevent the teriyaki sauce from burning on the grill?

Great question! Because the sauce contains sugars, it can burn if the grill is too hot. Use medium-high heat and watch the skewers carefully, turning often. Reserving some sauce to brush on after cooking also prevents burnt sauce from overpowering the flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s reliably delicious and so versatile. Whether you’re firing up the grill for a casual family dinner or entertaining friends, these skewers bring that perfect balance of flavors with minimal effort. Give this recipe a try—you’ll see why it becomes a fast favorite to come back to again and again.