Teriyaki Chicken Skewers – The most delicious marinated teriyaki chicken grilled to perfection and finished with a delicious teriyaki sauce. Serve with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh chopped green onions over steamed rice.

This recipe calls for boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts if that's all you have) marinated a teriyaki sauce in the fridge for a few hours. After they are done marinating in those delicious teriyaki flavors, they are cooked on the grill for a super tasty barbecued Asian meal.
Serve these super easy teriyaki grilled chicken skewers with steamed rice, veggies and more. We served ours with steamed white rice and a fresh cucumber salad – it was spectacular! I will link some of my favorite side dishes to serve with this recipe for you below.
Marinating the chicken in teriyaki sauce locks the flavors of the teriyaki into the chicken. Cooking them on the grill gives them the most delicious grilled flavors from the barbecue!
Ingredients you need to make homemade Teriyaki Chicken Skewers:
Chicken Thighs/Breasts - Boneless, skinless. I recommend using chicken thighs in this recipe, but you can also use chicken breasts.
Water - This goes into making your teriyaki sauce.
Soy Sauce - I highly recommend using Kikkoman low sodium soy sauce. I've tried other brands and this one tastes the best to me (not sponsored).
Cornstarch - This helps to give you a nice glazed teriyaki sauce.
Garlic Cloves - Fresh garlic is best in this recipe.
Ginger - I used fresh ginger, but you can use ground. Just use half the amount.
Brown Sugar - Light or dark brown sugar both work great.
Honey
Sesame Oil - A good quality pure sesame oil is best.
Rice Vinegar - If you don't have rice vinegar you can also use white wine vinegar as a substitution.
Skewers - Soaking your skewers in water will help to prevent burning while grilling!
Green Onion (optional topping)
Sesame Seed (optional topping)
Tools to have on hand for this recipe:
- small saucepan - To make the teriyaki glaze.
- cooking spoon - For stirring your glaze while it cooks.
- measuring spoons + cups - To properly measure all of your ingredients.
- mincer - To mince the garlic. You can also just finely chop the garlic.
- skewers - To skewer the teriyaki chicken.
- grill/barbecue - For grilling the chicken skewers.
How to make the best Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers:
First make the sauce: Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl. In a medium saucepan, add remaining ingredients along with the cornstarch/water mixture. Stirring frequently, bring sauce to a simmer. Cook until sauce lightly thickens. Sauce will be dark brown. Once sauce has thickened up, remove from heat and let cool completely. (place in fridge to speed up the process)
Once the sauce is completely cooled, place cubed chicken in a large ziplock bag. Pour half of the sauce over the chicken and gently shake to coat chicken. Let chicken marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Place remaining sauce aside for 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 teriyaki sauce.
Remove skewers from grill and serve with chopped green onion and a sprinkle of sesame seeds(optional)
Here are some of my favorite BBQ Side Dishes to serve with these skewers!
Fried Rice or steamed white/brown rice – Super simple take out style homemade fried rice with carrots and peas.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad – Creamy and delicious Hawaiian macaroni salad is an excellent side dish to serve with grilled huli huli chicken, pork and more!
Creamy Classic Coleslaw– My classic coleslaw recipe is made with a delicious slightly sweet and creamy homemade coleslaw dressing.
BBQ Loaded Hasselback Potatoes – Slathered in garlic butter and topped with melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, sour cream and green onion, these are mouthwatering good.
Classic American Potato Salad – The perfect side dish for your upcoming summer BBQ’s! Made with hard boiled eggs, this classic potato salad is creamy and delicious and extremely easy to make!
Roasted Rosemary Garlic Potatoes – Fresh rosemary and garlic baked red potatoes with a light golden crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.
If you enjoyed this recipe, here are a few more recipes I think you'll love:
BBQ Pork Skewers with Filipino BBQ Marinade – Delicious grilled pork skewers in a homemade sticky, sweet, and spicy Filipino style BBQ marinade.
My Favorite BBQ Burger with Potato Chips – This mouthwatering burger starts with a buttery toasted bun topped with barbecue sauce, a grilled burger patty topped with melty cheddar cheese, and finally finished with crispy potato chips! So simple, yet so delicious.
Grilled Spicy BBQ Chicken Thighs – Juicy grilled chicken thighs basted in a spicy homemade barbecue 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.
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken thighs (or breasts) cut into 1" cubes
Teriyaki Sauce/Marinade:
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup soy sauce *low sodium recommended
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ½ tablespoon fresh ginger minced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- 8 skewers
Optional Topping:
- sesame seed
- chopped green onion
Instructions
- First make the sauce: Combine cornstarch and water in a small bowl. In a medium saucepan, add remaining ingredients along with the cornstarch/water mixture. Stirring frequently, bring sauce to a simmer. Cook until sauce lightly thickens. Sauce will be dark brown. Once sauce has thickened up, remove from heat and let cool completely. (place in fridge to speed up the process)
- Once the sauce is completely cooled, place cubed chicken in a large ziplock bag. Pour half of the sauce over the chicken and gently shake to coat chicken. Let chicken marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Place remaining sauce aside for 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 teriyaki sauce.
- Remove skewers from grill and serve with chopped green onion and a sprinkle of sesame seeds(optional).
CLM
The teriyaki smelled PHENOMENAL - definitely all the right ingredients. Unfortunately it was extREMELY gelatinous. Followed all the measurements to a tee, so think there is too much cornstarch. Otherwise fantastic
LG
the sauce smells and looks fabulous, but I put it in the fridge and it jelled up a bit, what did I do wrong?
Debbie
I will never buy teriyaki sauce again! This recipe has the best sauce ever. I used it for skewers and then for a stir fry. Absolutely delicious.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Debbie! Yay! I'm so happy you enjoyed this recipe! :)Amanda
Cheryl
Fantastic! I used coconut aminos instead of soy sauce due to a soy allergy, and reduced the brown sugar to 2T as the coconut aminos are a little sweet. Will definitely make again!
Becky S
Fabulous! I did it in the air fryer, 400 degrees, 8 minutes on one side, 6-7 on the other. They were WONDERFUL. Will use it again for sure!
Joann
Love this recipe it’s always a hit!
Do you think I could make the sauce a few days in advance? Trying to plan for camping.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Joann! Thank you for your review. The sauce should last about 2-3 days in the fridge. :)Amanda
Lucy
I have two picky elementary age boys who have rejected teriyaki chicken at restaurants repeatedly in I was tired of the usual meals, had all ingredients and decided to try this. They love it!! Both of them!! I'll beyond happy, thanks for a family friendly recipe! I didn't want to start up the charcoal grill so broiled at 525, 6" from heat, 15 mins flipping halfway through.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Lucy! Thank you for your nice review!! :)Amanda
Sheila
What is the service size? This is listed as 390 calories, but doesn't say the serving size?
Thank you!
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Sheila, The serving size is 2 skewers. Enjoy! :)Amanda
Hannah Birney
My GOSH these were so, so good!!! Thank you so much for the recipe! We will most definitely be making them again soon!
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Hannah! I'm so happy you enjoyed them!! :)Amanda
Dorene Lehpamer
Can you marinade in the morning and let it sit in the ziploc until dinner?
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Dorene, Yes, in the fridge. :)Amanda
Melissa
I had about 5 pounds of chicken thighs so I doubled the recipe. I cooked it for 7 people (teenagers and adults) and they all loved it. I wouldn’t change a thing. Thanks for the recipe!
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Melissa, Thank you so much for your kind review! :)Amanda
Tracie
Loved it! The sauce/marinade is perfect! I did use it and made drumsticks instead… baked then at 400F for 40-45 min. Delicious served with rice and veggies!
Sonia
These were very good! Entire family loved them. Was my first time using thighs. Was worried cause they were pretty fatty but you couldn't even tell once they were grilled. Will make again for sure!
Anna
Can these be done in the air fryer?
Ann
This was so delicious! I will definitely be making this again! The best teriyaki sauce I’ve ever eaten!
Mya
Delicious!!!
Bonnie
Well after reading all the great reviews I can not wait to make these .. was going to grill but might just do on the stove top .. serving it as an appetizer for a group of 12 .. thanks so much
Fiona Z
Bonnie I also making this as an appetizer for 12 curious did you double recipe or triple
Karen Snyder
I made this recipe to serve a party of 17. Big success! Everyone loved it. The teriyaki sauce was perfect! I would recommend this recipe. Will do this again. Thank you!
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Karen! I'm so happy everyone loved it! :)Amanda
Jillian
Would I be able to freeze the chicken already marinated and skewered? I want to take these camping but they’ll need to be frozen. I wonder if the skewers would dry out or if maybe I should use metal skewers.
Jillian
Forgot to rate the recipe!! I’ve made these tons of times and they never disappoint!
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Jillian, I've never frozen them before. They may dry out. But, if you are going to do it I would use metal skewers. Maybe wrap them in foil and reheat low and slow (indirect heat) to try to prevent drying out. Have fun camping! :)Amanda
Candice
Try using the metal skewers. That way you don't have worry about the sticks drying out.
Mari
I would like to serve these for a group of 50 people as a part of an after golf lunch. I will not have time in the morning to prepare and grill (I'll be golfing too!). Can I pre-grill these the night before and re-heat on the grill before serving? I imagine only adding the sauce when re-grilling would be best but I'm worried about chicken drying out.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Mari, If you want to reheat them on the grill, you'll need to do so over the lowest heat possible to prevent them from drying out. I would also take them out of the fridge about 20-30 minutes before reheating. 🙂
Lisa Erlwein
Ohmygosh! The best teriyaki ever!! Thank you so much for this recipe! It’s easy and soo tasty!! 😍
Karen K
I made this recipe 2 nights ago, but grilled chicken thighs instead of skewering them. They turned out SOOOO good! My husband loved this recipe, especially the sauce! We are going to make it again soon. The sauce turned out very thick and "jelly-like", not sure if that was what it was supposed to be like (?) Make EXTRA to use as a dipping sauce. We put more sauce on after the thighs were done grilling and were "resting" under the foil. HIGHLY recommend. It seems to just melt into the chicken!
Karen K
forgot to rate the recipe! FIVE stars all the way 😀
Recipe Bake
Made this tonight for dinner and my family loved it! My teenager couldn’t get enough! Thanks for the great recipe!
Sharlene
Tried this recipe tonight and it was great!! That sauce was awesome 👌 Thanks for sharing.
Tatum
I have a pellet smoker, what temp should I set it to and how long do you suggest? These sound amazing!!
kent
Tatum I cooked them at 350 on my treager and turned out great !
Athina
Hi Amanda
I m was wondering for how long I can keep the sauce in the refrigerator and you think I can freeze it if I make extra?
Thank you
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Athina, The sauce will thicken up if frozen or refrigerated. You can place in fridge for about 2-3 days. When reheating, you'll need to add 1-2 tablespoons of water to loosen it up. I recommend heating up over lowest heat and stirring frequently. :)Amanda
Karen F
These are the best skewers. I have some fussy eaters but this is something everyone eats. My daughter loves to take some for lunch the next day. I have to double recipe for there to be leftovers
Carrie
Oh my goodness! These skewers were over the top awesome! They were the best I ever had! Made them while we were camping last night. My husband and I couldn’t get enough! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. It’s definitely a keeper!
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Carrie! Thank you so much for the review!! :)Amanda
Earl Preston
The Teriyaki sauce is the best one out there. Nice job.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Earl! Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. Enjoy :)Amanda
Jeff
Fantastic! Paired these with steamed rice; stir-fried peppers, onions and mushrooms; and a fresh pineapple/strawberry salad. Your grilling instructions are spot on.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Jeff!! Thank you so much for the nice review! Sounds like a delicious pairing! :)Amanda
Robin
This recipe is AWESOME!!! Thank you so much it was absolutely delicious. I served mine with white rice and fresh green beans.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Robin! Thank you SO much for the kind review!! :)Amanda
Angela
So, so good! Added some sweet onion slices to the skewers and served with sauteed carrots and white rice. Everyone asked this to please be put in the rotation.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Angela! Thank you so much for the kind review!! I am so happy you enjoyed these skewers :)Amanda
Melanie
Delicious !!!!
Marguerite
Best teriyaki chicken I have made!!!
Makenzie
Can I do this on a charcoal grill?
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Mackenzie! Yes, cook over indirect heat (not directly over flame) using the same instructions listed in the recipe. :)Amanda
Janice
Can I use this recipe in a george foreman grill
Kat kelly
So delicious!!! Made with grilled zucchini and jasmine rice. It was sooo good! I bought boneless skinless thighs. So easy to make! Thank you for sharing!!
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Kat!! I'm so happy you enjoyed this recipe!! Thanks for the review! :)Amanda
Pam
Can I do this in the oven?
Amadna
Curious if this could be made in the crockpot? Would I make the sauce on the stove and then add thawed chicken to the crockpot and then pour over or could I just add all of the ingredients to the crockpot and cook that way?
Amanda Cooks & Styles
I have not made this exact recipe in the crockpot but I think that should be fine. I would whisk all the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Add chicken to crockpot, then pour sauce over and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for about 3 hours. 🙂
Jennifer
We don't have a grill so I cooked ours in a cast iron skillet on the stove. It was a hit with the whole family. Definitely adding this dish to my meal rotation!
Lindi
Absolutely delicious!!! I made it exactly as per the recipe.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Lindi! Thanks for the review. So glad you enjoyed it!
Anmol Gill
This was delicious. I baked the chicken in the oven first and then put it on an electric grill. It gave it a beautiful charred colour. My son loved it. Thanks for the recipe.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Anmol! I am so happy you and your son enjoyed this recipe!
Minda Linehan
Can I marinade the chickenen over night?
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Yes 🙂
Yelitza
For those of us with no grill, what would be an oven alternative for time and temperature?
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Yelitza, You can sear the cubed chicken in a bit of oil in a skillet on your stovetop over medium-high heat until golden. Flip chicken over and cook another few minutes until golden and cooked through 165 degrees. Toss chicken in the teriyaki sauce when finished and serve. Hope this helps! 🙂 Amanda
Ash
Can leftover sauce be stored and saved? How?
Michelle
Can I make these in the oven?
Tom
I used this recipe on salmon and baked it at 425 for about 25 minutes. Spectacular!
Amanda Cooks & Styles
That sounds fantastic!
Gloria Buckels
Marinating now, the marinade smells delicious,. I know this is going to be a great dinner, the sauce was super easy to make, I cut up my chicken while it was partially frozen,makes quick work out of the job, thanks for sharing!
Kendall
Can you use chicken tenderloins?
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Kendall, Yes, that would be fine 🙂
Linda HH, UK
I made this recipe last weekend as a trial run for friends visiting in a couple of weeks as lockdown eases. It was delicious, as another reviewer mentioned best teriyaki
chicken recipe out there! I can't wait to have it again with our friends. Thanks for sharing.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Linda, Thank you so much for the kind review! I am so happy you enjoyed this recipe :)Amanda
Brandy Tyler
I served this to 6 kids and 5 adults tonight, they lost their minds over this chicken. Marinated while still warm, save time, it doesn't have to be cold. Better than any other recipe or restaurant I've ever tried!
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Brandy! This makes me so happy you all enjoyed it! Thanks for the review :)Amanda
Rachel
I am making this for dinner tonight and my marinate is like gum! What should I do
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Rachel, I think the sauce may have been cooked for too long or too high. Place a thin layer of water in a saucepan, add the marinade back to the pan over low heat, whisking constantly to loosen it up.
Sarah
Is there anyway to turn this into a freezer meal?
Anne Martin
I would freeze the cut up chicken by itself and the sauce by itself, both in ziplock freezer bags. Dpuble bag the sauce. Thaw chicken and sauce in the fridge the day before you are going to make it. The morning of, mix the chicken with half the sauce in a fresh ziplock or bowl and lmarinade in fridge. Then skewer and cook when you are ready.
Earl Preston
The Teriyaki sauce is the best one out there. Nice job.
Tori
this was so delicious, definitely some of the best teriyaki chicken i’ve ever had!
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Tori! Wow! Thank you so much for the review! So happy you enjoyed it! :)Amanda
Adrienne Becker
Made it in the crockpot and then thickened the extra sauce on the stove after. It was delicious! Definitely going in the rotation!
Suzanne
High or low? And how long in crockpot??
Cassondra
What a wonderful recipe! My husband loves the sauce so much he wants me to just make it to put on lots of different things. How long would it keep in the fridge? Have you froze it before?
June
Do you know about how many chicken skewers this recipe yields?
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi June, You should get about eight chicken skewers. :)Amanda
Steph Scott
So yummy! I didn’t use skewers, because my kiddos are really young, but it was amazing just cooked up in a skillet! My husband said this is one of his new fav dinners. Thanks for the recipe!
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Steph! I'm so happy you and your family enjoyed it! :)Amanda
Henrichka
I tried it, and it was delicious. How can I make it vegetarian for my friend who is please? What would you recommend I substitute gor the chicken?
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Henrichka! I have not tried this recipe using a vegetarian substitute, but I would probably use cauliflower or possibly tofu. :)Amanda
Wen
I have done similar broiled kabobs in the oven with tofu cubes that have been marinated then I broiled them, they don't taste like chicken but they taste good!
Janelle
I made this recipe with chicken cutlets, and substituted a bit of a more liquid teriyaki sauce for the soy sauce (i didn’t have enough soy sauce left), but it was delicious! I also wanted to try it with coconut rice but I was more focused on the chicken I totally forgot to cook the rice in the coconut milk. Otherwise my husband and son loved it! There was maybe 2-3 tablespoons of the teriyaki sauce left and my husband scrapped it into a small bowl to save for dipping! Great recipe, thanks!
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Janelle, Sounds delicious with cutlets! So happy you all enjoyed it! :)Amanda
Joyce
So amazing! This recipe is a keeper. Absolutely delicious.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Joyce! Yay! So glad you enjoyed it :)Amanda
Connie D
Can this be made in the oven or stove - I don’t have a grill.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Hi Connie, You can cook them in a nonstick skillet on the stove over medium-high heat turning every 2-3 minutes until cooked through. :)Amanda
Elizabeth C
Loved this recipe! We made a half batch of sauce and marinated overnight. Wonderful.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
So happy you enjoyed it! :)Amanda
Khadijah
I tried this recipe today but I poured the sause over the chicken and baked it in the oven because i don't have a grill and it was amazing. Its the best teriyaki chicken I've ever tasted, definitely gonna make again.
Amanda Cooks & Styles
Wow! So happy you enjoyed it!! :)Amanda