Korean Chicken Skewers – Amazing slightly spicy, flavor-packed Korean style grilled chicken skewers/kabobs marinated with bold Korean flavors and grilled to perfection!
If you are looking for a fun and delicious addition to your grilling recipe rotation, this is it! These chicken skewers have become one of my absolute favorite things to grill. They are marinated with gochujang giving them such a delicious flavor you are going to love!
We served our skewers with a fresh Asian style salad and steamed rice. You can pair these skewers with your favorite barbecue side dishes. I’ll link a few of my favorite sides to pair with this recipe for you below.
This recipe makes about eight skewers giving each person two if you are serving four people. If you are cooking for a large crowd, simply double this recipe! If you are cooking for a smaller crowd, grilled chicken makes amazing leftovers!
Ingredients you need to make Korean Chicken Skewers:
Chicken Thighs – Boneless skinless chicken thighs are best in this recipe but you can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Fresh Ginger – I HIGHLY recommend using fresh ginger in this recipe! If you have to substitute for ground ginger – use 1 tsp.
Garlic – Fresh garlic is best in this recipe! If you have to substitute for garlic powder – use 1 tsp.
Soy Sauce – I recommend using low sodium soy sauce in this recipe.
Brown Sugar – You can use light or dark brown sugar. If you don’t have brown sugar, you can also use granulated white sugar.
Sesame Oil – Pure sesame oil adds a delicious flavor to this recipe!
Rice Vinegar – You can also use white wine vinegar.
Gochujang – This is a Korean hot pepper chile paste. You can find gochujang at your local Asian supermarket or online (linked here). If you can’t find any you can use a substitute shown below.
Skewers – Wooden or metal skewers to skewer the chicken prior to grilling.
Green Onions – optional garnish.
**FULL MEASUREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS LISTED BELOW.
Substitute for gochujang:
For every one tablespoon of gochujang use one tablespoon of tomato paste with 1/2 tsp sriracha or other asian hot chili sauce.
Tools to have on hand for this recipe:
- small mixing bowl – Mixing the sauce/marinade.
- whisk – Whisking the sauce/marinade.
- measuring spoons + cups – To properly measure all of your ingredients.
- mincer – To mince the garlic. You can also just very finely chop the garlic.
- grater – For grating the fresh ginger.
- skewers – To skewer the Korean chicken.
- grill/barbecue – For grilling the chicken skewers.
How to make the Best Ever Korean Chicken Skewers:
Cut chicken into 1 1/2″ cubes and toss in a bowl. In another small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients (except chopped green onions if using) to make the marinade.
Pour half of the marinade over the chicken and mix to fully coat chicken. Cover and place in the fridge to marinade for at least 4 hours up to overnight.
Cover remaining sauce and place in the fridge for basting the chicken later.
When the chicken is done marinating, place your chicken on skewers and heat the grill to medium heat.
Once the grill is hot, place skewers on lightly oiled grill. Turn the skewers every 3-4 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165 degrees), about 20-30 minutes. During the last few turns baste with remaining sauce.
Remove skewers from grill and serve with chopped green onions (optional) and your favorite side dishes!
My favorite side dish recipes to pair with Asian style main courses:
Grilled Zucchini – The most delicious zucchini seasoned with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper makes the perfect BBQ side dish. Serve this amazing flavorful zucchini with your favorite grilled meats!
Fried Rice – Super simple take out style homemade fried rice with carrots and peas. Serve this delicious side dish with your favorite Asian main courses.
Creamy Asian Cucumber Salad – Thinly sliced cucumber and red onion tossed in a delicious creamy peanut dressing. This is one of my all time favorite salads!
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad – Creamy and delicious Hawaiian macaroni salad is an excellent side dish to serve with grilled huli huli chicken, pork and more!
Steamed white/brown rice.
If you enjoyed this recipe, here are a few more grilling recipes I think you’ll love:
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers – The most delicious marinated teriyaki chicken grilled to perfection and finished with a delicious teriyaki sauce.
BBQ Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thighs – Seasoned chicken thighs wrapped in thick cut bacon, basted in a sweet sauce and then grilled to crisp perfection.
Steakhouse Burger – Made with a juicy quarter pound ground beef patty, sharp cheddar cheese, grilled onions and mushrooms with mayonnaise and mustard.
Grilled Spicy BBQ Chicken Thighs – Juicy grilled chicken thighs basted in a spicy homemade barbecue sauce. The low and slow method for cooking these thighs on the grill make for a super tender and juicy end result!
Korean Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs. chicken thighs boneless, skinless
- 2 tsp fresh ginger finely grated
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp gochujang
- chopped green onions optional garnish
Instructions
- Cut chicken into 1 1/2″ cubes and toss in a bowl. In another small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients (except chopped green onions if using) to make the marinade.
- Pour half of the marinade over the chicken and mix to fully coat chicken. Cover and place in the fridge to marinade for at least 4 hours up to overnight.
- Cover remaining sauce and place in the fridge for basting the chicken later.
- When the chicken is done marinating, place your chicken on skewers and heat the grill to medium heat.
- Once the grill is hot, place skewers on lightly oiled grill. Turn the skewers every 3-4 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165 degrees), about 20-30 minutes. During the last few turns baste with remaining sauce.
- Remove skewers from grill and serve with chopped green onions (optional) and your favorite side dishes!
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