Japanese Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Skewers
Succulent chicken skewers glazed with a sweet-savory teriyaki sauce, grilled to perfection. This japanese-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 4 pieces boneless chicken thighs
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 1 tbsp sake
- 1 tsp ginger (grated)
- 1/4 cup sushi rice (for glaze)
- 1 tsp sriracha
- 4 pieces (optional) grilled pineapple slices
Instructions
- Step 1: Thread chicken thighs onto skewers. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, mirin, sake, ginger, sushi rice, and sriracha to form a sticky glaze. Brush generously over chicken.
- Step 2: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, brushing with remaining glaze until caramelized and slightly charred.
- Step 3: Serve immediately with grilled pineapple slices for a sweet contrast.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Japanese Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Teriyaki Grilled 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 boneless chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Japanese Teriyaki Grilled 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 Teriyaki Grilled 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 Teriyaki Grilled 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
