Sesame-Glazed Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Tender chicken skewers marinated in a sweet and savory teriyaki glaze, grilled to perfection and finished with toasted sesame seeds. This japanese-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs boneless and cubed chicken thighs, soy sauce, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 1.5 lbs, boneless and cubed chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp mirin
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp, grated ginger
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp, toasted sesame seeds
- 12 wooden skewers
- 2 tbsp for grilling vegetable oil
- 2, sliced for garnish green onions
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin, honey, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. Add chicken cubes and marinate for 30 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Step 2: Thread chicken onto skewers, alternating with slices of onion and bell pepper if desired. Brush skewers with vegetable oil.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Grill skewers for 8-10 minutes, turning once, until chicken is cooked through and glaze caramelizes.
- Step 4: Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and garnish with green onions. Serve immediately with steamed rice or noodles.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sesame-Glazed Teriyaki Chicken Skewers take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 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 Sesame-Glazed 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 Sesame-Glazed 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 Sesame-Glazed Teriyaki Chicken Skewers for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Sesame-Glazed 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
