It’s BBQ season, and these Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers are the perfect combination of sweet and tangy. This easy summer dish is bursting with flavor!
As soon as the weather warms up, it’s time to fire up the grill and enjoy some delicious summery meals outside, like these Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers. They’re simple to make, packed with flavor, and always a crowd-pleaser!
Why These Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers Are Perfect for Grilling
Growing up, my dad was the grill master, and he made the most amazing chicken kabobs – always juicy, tender, and full of flavor. This recipe is my easy take on those BBQ chicken skewers, bringing back those delicious summer memories.
- Easy to Make: The key is marinating the chicken for a few hours to let the flavors meld together. Then, just pop them on the grill!
- Quick Cooking Time: These skewers cook up quickly, usually in about 10 minutes, making them perfect for a fast weeknight dinner or a last-minute gathering.
- Ideal Finger Food: Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers are fantastic as appetizers for backyard barbecues, parties, or any casual get-together. They’re easy to eat and always a hit.
Key Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers
Here’s a breakdown of the essential ingredients you’ll need to create these mouthwatering honey garlic chicken skewers:
- Skinless, Boneless Chicken Thighs: Chicken thighs are the secret to juicy and tender skewers. They hold their moisture better than chicken breasts during grilling.
Honey Garlic Marinade Ingredients:
Most of the marinade ingredients are common Asian pantry staples with a long shelf life. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Oyster Sauce: Adds a rich, savory umami flavor to the marinade.
- Teriyaki Sauce or Soy Sauce: Provides a salty and slightly sweet base for the marinade. Soy sauce is a great substitute if you don’t have teriyaki.
- Honey: Contributes sweetness and helps the skewers caramelize beautifully on the grill.
- Chili Garlic Sauce: Introduces a touch of heat and a garlicky kick. Adjust the amount to your preferred spice level. You can omit if you prefer no spice.
- Onions: Adds flavor and moisture to the chicken.
- Garlic: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the marinade. Use fresh, minced garlic for the best results.
- Ginger: Gives a warm, aromatic element to the marinade. Freshly grated ginger is recommended.
- Lemon: Adds acidity and brightness to balance the sweetness of the honey and other savory flavors.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy depth of flavor to the marinade.
- Ketchup: Adds a hint of sweetness and thickness to the marinade.
Optional ingredients for garnish include green onions (scallions) and sesame seeds, which add visual appeal and extra flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Grilled Chicken Skewers
Follow these simple steps to create the perfect honey garlic chicken skewers.
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine the oyster sauce, teriyaki sauce or soy sauce, ketchup, honey, chili garlic sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, sliced onions, grated ginger, lemon slices, and one tablespoon of water. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers. Place the skewered chicken into a large resealable bag or a glass dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring each skewer is well-coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours for maximum flavor. Turn the bag or skewers occasionally to ensure even marination.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Lightly brush the grill grates with vegetable or olive oil to prevent the chicken from sticking. Place the chicken skewers on the grill’s top rack away from direct heat to avoid burning.
- Cook the Skewers: Grill the chicken skewers, turning them occasionally, until they are completely cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (about 10 minutes). During the last few minutes of grilling, brush the skewers with the reserved oyster sauce mixture to add a glossy finish and extra flavor. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, ensuring the sauce is caramelized without burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skewers from the grill and garnish with thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers
Here are some common questions and answers to help you make the best honey garlic chicken skewers.
How do I prevent wood skewers from burning on the grill?
To keep wood skewers from burning, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before adding the chicken and grilling. Alternatively, you can use metal skewers, which don’t require soaking.
How do I know when the chicken skewers are fully cooked?
The best way to ensure your chicken is thoroughly cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to be considered safe to eat.
Delicious Side Dishes to Serve with Grilled Chicken Skewers
These grilled chicken skewers are incredibly versatile and pair well with a wide range of side dishes. Whether you prefer traditional BBQ sides or Asian-inspired accompaniments, you’ll find plenty of options to create a complete and satisfying meal.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Tomato Cucumber Salad: A refreshing and light salad that complements the rich flavors of the chicken.
- Corn with Basil Lime Butter: Sweet corn on the cob, enhanced with fragrant basil and zesty lime butter.
- Grilled Vegetables: A colorful medley of grilled veggies like zucchini, bell peppers, and onions adds a healthy and flavorful touch.
- Filipino Lumpia Shanghai (Filipino Egg Rolls): Crispy and savory egg rolls filled with seasoned ground pork and vegetables.
- Melon and Prosciutto Caprese Salad: A sweet and savory salad with fresh melon, prosciutto, and mozzarella, drizzled with balsamic glaze.
The Best Wine Pairings for Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers
While a medium- to full-bodied Chardonnay is a classic pairing for most grilled chicken recipes, the Asian-style marinade of this chicken calls for a different approach. I highly recommend pairing these Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers with a crisp and aromatic Sauvignon Blanc.
Sauvignon Blanc’s herbaceous notes and bright acidity complement the savory and slightly sweet flavors of the chicken, creating a harmonious and refreshing pairing. The wine’s citrusy undertones also enhance the zesty lemon notes in the marinade, adding an extra layer of flavor.
More Grilling Recipes to Explore
If you enjoy grilling and are looking for more inspiration, here are a few other delicious grilling recipes to try:
- Ginger Grilled Chicken With Cider: A flavorful and aromatic chicken dish with a hint of sweetness from the cider.
- BBQ Bacon Burger: A classic summer favorite, elevated with smoky bacon and tangy BBQ sauce.
- Grilled Bourbon Chicken with Peaches: A sweet and savory chicken dish with grilled peaches and a bourbon glaze.
- Grilled Pineapple Chicken: A tropical-inspired chicken dish with grilled pineapple and a sweet and tangy glaze.
Enjoy experimenting with different flavors and ingredients to create your own signature grilling masterpieces!
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Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers Recipe
Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers
5 from 12 votes
Ingredients
- ¼ cup oyster sauce
- ¼ cup teriyaki sauce or soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ small yellow onion, peeled and sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons ginger, peeled and grated
- ½ lemon, sliced
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine oyster sauce, teriyaki sauce or soy sauce, ketchup, honey, chili garlic sauce, Dijon, garlic, onions, ginger, lemon slices, and 1 tablespoon water. Reserve 1/4 cup and set aside.
- Skewer the chicken and marinate for at least 2 hours to overnight, up to 8 hours, turning the bag occasionally. Drain the chicken from the marinade.
- Preheat grill to medium heat. Brush with vegetable oil or olive oil so the skewers won’t stick.
- Add skewers to grill, and cook, turning occasionally, until the chicken is completely cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 10 minutes. Brush skewers with reserved oyster sauce mixture, cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Serve immediately, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, if desired.
Notes
- Substitutions: You can substitute lamb, beef, pork, or even vegetables for the chicken. Just be sure to cut your meat into even-sized cubes.
- You may omit the chili garlic oil if you don’t want any heat to this dish, or you may add more if you’d like more heat.
Nutrition
Calories: 193kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 23g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 108mg, Sodium: 804mg, Potassium: 353mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 79IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 26mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.