Description
Juicy chicken skewers marinated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, then grilled to caramelized perfection. This easy recipe is ready in just 30 minutes and is perfect for weeknight dinners or summer cookouts.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), cut into 1.5-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (low-sodium recommended)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
- Chopped green onions (for garnish, optional)
- Red pepper flakes (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Cut chicken into 1.5-inch cubes and pat dry with paper towels.
- If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
- Add chicken cubes to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for 15-20 minutes at room temperature, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
- Preheat grill (or grill pan) to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Oil the grates lightly.
- Thread marinated chicken onto skewers, leaving a little space between each piece. Alternate with veggies if desired.
- Place skewers on the hot grill. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes, until chicken is golden, caramelized, and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- During the last 2-3 minutes, brush reserved marinade on the skewers for a glossy finish (boil marinade first if it touched raw chicken).
- Check for doneness: chicken should be firm, juices run clear, and thermometer reads 165°F.
- Remove from grill, slide chicken off skewers onto a platter, and garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve hot.
Notes
For best results, cut chicken into even pieces for uniform cooking. If using bamboo skewers, soak them to prevent burning. Reserve some marinade for basting before mixing with raw chicken. Watch grill heat closely as honey can burn quickly. Let skewers rest a couple of minutes before serving for juicier chicken. For gluten-free, use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. Chicken thighs can be used for extra juiciness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 6 ounces cooked chicken per serving
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 17
- Protein: 30
Keywords: honey garlic chicken, chicken skewers, grilled chicken, summer grilling, easy dinner, weeknight meal, barbecue, Asian chicken, gluten-free option, meal prep