Japanese Steakhouse-Style Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Tender chicken pieces marinated in a rich homemade teriyaki sauce, grilled on skewers to perfect caramelization and served with scallions. This japanese-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs soy sauce, mirin, sake for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 2 tbsp sake
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 stalks green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons mirin, 2 tablespoons sake, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger, and 2 minced garlic cloves until the sugar dissolves.
- Step 2: Add 1 pound of 1-inch cubed boneless skinless chicken thighs into the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
- Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and lightly brush with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Step 4: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, discard leftover marinade.
- Step 5: Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char.
- Step 6: Remove from grill and sprinkle 2 sliced green onions over the skewers before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Japanese Steakhouse-Style Teriyaki Chicken Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (40 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Japanese Steakhouse-Style Teriyaki Chicken Skewers?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep soy sauce from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Japanese Steakhouse-Style Teriyaki Chicken Skewers?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Japanese Steakhouse-Style Teriyaki Chicken Skewers for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Japanese Steakhouse-Style Teriyaki Chicken Skewers?
Japanese chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
