Soy-Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers with Sesame and Scallions
Tender chicken pieces marinated in a savory soy-ginger sauce, grilled to perfection and garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh scallions. This asian-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs soy sauce, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic cloves 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
- 1.5 lbs, cut into 1.5-inch cubes boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp grated fresh ginger
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 3 thinly sliced scallions
- for grilling vegetable oil
- 8 soaked in water for 30 minutes bamboo skewers
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons honey, and 1 tablespoon sesame oil until well combined.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 pounds of 1.5-inch cubed boneless skinless chicken thighs to the marinade. Toss to coat thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
- Step 3: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread the marinated chicken evenly onto 8 pre-soaked bamboo skewers.
- Step 4: Lightly brush the grill grates with vegetable oil. Grill the skewers for 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until chicken is cooked through and has a nice char.
- Step 5: Remove from grill, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds and 3 thinly sliced scallions before serving hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Soy-Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers with Sesame and Scallions take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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 Soy-Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers with Sesame and Scallions?
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 Soy-Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers with Sesame and Scallions?
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 Soy-Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers with Sesame and Scallions 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 Soy-Marinated Grilled Chicken Skewers with Sesame and Scallions?
Asian 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.
