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Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers: The Ultimate Grilling Recipe

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Sweet and savory Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers, perfect for grilling, pan-frying, or baking. Marinated chicken cubes are threaded onto skewers and cooked to tender perfection, then garnished with sesame seeds and green onions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium preferred)
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced
  • Wooden skewers (soaked in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning)
  • Cooking spray or oil for grilling/pan-frying

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, sesame oil, grated ginger, red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper until smooth.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Place the cubed chicken breasts into a large resealable bag or a bowl. Pour the honey garlic marinade over the chicken, ensuring that all pieces are evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably for 2-4 hours (or overnight, but no longer than 8 hours).
  3. Assemble the Skewers: Remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Thread the marinated chicken cubes onto the soaked wooden skewers, placing about 5-6 pieces of chicken on each skewer. Leave a little space at the end of each skewer for easy handling.
  4. Preheat your grill to medium heat (around 350-400°F or 175-200°C).
  5. Lightly grease the grill grates with cooking spray or oil.
  6. Place the chicken skewers on the preheated grill.
  7. Grill for about 8-12 minutes, turning the skewers every 2-3 minutes to ensure even cooking. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. During the last few minutes of grilling, brush the skewers with any remaining marinade.
  9. Remove the chicken skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
  10. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat.
  11. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the chicken skewers in the pan, making sure not to overcrowd it. You may need to cook the skewers in batches.
  12. Cook for about 8-12 minutes, turning the skewers frequently to ensure even cooking. The chicken is done when it is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  13. During the last few minutes of cooking, brush the skewers with any remaining marinade.
  14. Remove the chicken skewers from the pan and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
  15. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  16. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  17. Place the chicken skewers on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they are not overcrowded.
  18. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  19. Halfway through the baking time, brush the skewers with any remaining marinade.
  20. Remove the chicken skewers from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
  21. Serving and Garnishing: Transfer the cooked honey garlic chicken skewers to a serving platter. Sprinkle the skewers with sesame seeds and thinly sliced green onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Soaking the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes prevents them from burning during cooking.
  • Marinating the chicken for at least 2 hours yields the best flavor and tenderness. Do not marinate for longer than 8 hours.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • Brush with remaining marinade during the last few minutes of cooking for a beautiful glaze.
  • Spice it up: Add more red pepper flakes to the marinade or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
  • Add vegetables: You can add vegetables to the skewers along with the chicken, such as bell peppers, onions, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes. This will make the skewers more colorful and nutritious.
  • Use different cuts of chicken: While chicken breasts are the most common choice for skewers, you can also use chicken thighs for a richer flavor. Just make sure to cut the thighs into 1-inch cubes as well.
  • Make it gluten-free: To make this recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of soy sauce. Tamari is a gluten-free soy sauce alternative that tastes very similar.
  • Serve with dipping sauce: You can serve the honey garlic chicken skewers with a variety of dipping sauces, such as sweet chili sauce, peanut sauce, or a simple soy sauce and sesame oil mixture.
  • Make ahead: You can prepare the chicken skewers ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them. Just make sure to keep them in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.
  • Freezing: Cooked chicken skewers can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Let them cool completely before wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. To reheat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then warm them up in the oven, microwave, or skillet.

Find it online: https://mmmflavors.com/honey-garlic-chicken-skewers/