These Asian chicken skewers combine tender chicken breast with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, giving you skewers that are flavorful and juicy. You can grill them for a bit of char or bake them in the oven. Perfect for a quick dinner or feeding a crowd, these skewers are easy to make and sure to be a hit.
For more Asian recipes, try my Thai coconut chicken skewers, vegetarian spring rolls, pomegranate chicken, spicy Korean chicken, or Asian beef. And this is the BEST honey garlic sauce.
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⭐️ Why This Recipe Works
- Simple ingredients: Utilizes pantry staples for an easy yet flavorful meal.
- Versatile cooking methods: Offers both grilling and oven-baking options to suit any kitchen setup.
- Customizable: Easy to adapt with different vegetables or dietary needs.
- Great for any occasion: Perfect for a family dinner, party appetizer, or summer BBQ.
🧾 Ingredients overview
- Chicken breast: The lean protein base of our skewers, providing a healthy and filling component.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps to carry the flavors of the sauce.
- Garlic: Infuses the sauce with a strong, aromatic flavor foundational to many Asian dishes.
- Honey: Offers sweetness that balances the savory and tangy notes.
- Apple cider vinegar: Introduces acidity, enhancing the overall depth of the sauce.
- Soy sauce: Contributes saltiness and umami, key for that savory Asian profile.
- Brown sugar: Adds a hint of molasses sweetness, complementing the honey.
- Cornstarch: Thickens the sauce, giving it a glossy, appealing texture.
- Water: Adjusts the sauce's consistency for perfect glazing.
For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
👩🏻🍳 Here's how to make it
Asian chicken skewers step-by-step
- Preparation: Begin by soaking your skewers (if using bamboo) and preheating your grill or oven.
- Skewer the chicken: Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers, ensuring even spacing.
- Cook the sauce: Combine sauce ingredients and simmer until thickened.
- Cooking: Choose between grilling or oven-baking, applying the sauce towards the end.
- Serve: Let the skewers rest briefly, then serve possibly with extra sauce or sides.
📖 Substitutions and variations
- Protein Swap: Use thigh meat for juicier skewers, or tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Soy Sauce Alternatives: Tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free diets.
- Sweetener Options: Maple syrup or agave nectar as honey substitutes.
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
Drawing from a decade in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, here are my top tips for recipe success.
- Marinating: For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in some sauce beforehand.
- Grilling vegetables: Add vegetables to your skewers for a balanced meal.
- Sauce thickness: Adjust cornstarch and water ratios for your desired sauce consistency.
🍯 Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze skewers and sauce separately for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven or on the grill until heated through; microwave the sauce until warm.
❓FAQ
Yes, you can prepare and marinate the chicken a day in advance.
The recipe as is isn't spicy, but you can add chili flakes to the sauce for heat.
Fresh garlic is recommended for the best flavor, but bottled minced garlic can work in a pinch.
Related
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Easy Grilled Asian Chicken Skewers with Honey Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
For the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- ¼ cup butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Preheat the Grill/Oven: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, or if using an oven, preheat it to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the Chicken: Thread the chicken cubes onto the soaked bamboo skewers, leaving a small space between each cube to ensure even cooking.
- Make the Honey Garlic Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk in the honey, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Dissolve the cornstarch in 60ml of water and stir into the sauce. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
Cook the Chicken Skewers:
- Grill Method: Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, until the chicken is fully cooked and has a slight char on the edges. Brush the honey garlic sauce over the chicken in the last few minutes of cooking.
- Oven Method: Arrange the skewers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20 minutes, then brush the skewers with the sauce and broil for an additional 2-3 minutes to get a nice glaze.
- Rest and Serve: Let the skewers rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve with extra honey garlic sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Cook's Notes: Marinating Time: For even more flavor, marinate the chicken cubes in half of the honey garlic sauce for 1-2 hours in the refrigerator before threading them onto skewers.
- Vegetable Addition: You can add vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or zucchini between the chicken pieces for a colorful and balanced dish.
- Skewer Tips: If you use wooden or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before grilling or baking to prevent them from burning.
- Sauce Consistency: Adjust the thickness of the sauce by varying the amount of cornstarch and water based on your preference. More cornstarch slurry will thicken it further.
- Serving Suggestion: For a complete meal, serve these skewers over a bed of steamed rice or with a side of Asian-inspired salad.
Nutrition
Meet the Chef!
Hi, I'm Debs. Cordon Bleu trained chef and recipe developer. I help you get incredible dinners on the table fast with fool-proof recipes and step-by-step instructions along with tips and tricks that I've learned over a 10-year career in professional kitchens.
Carmen says
It was so good and easy to make as a pre teen I made it my self and served it with rice 10/10
Debs says
Brilliant! So happy you were able to make this on your own. Well done! 🙂
Jenna says
This was fantastic - my whole family loved it! Followed the recipe as listed. Served with basmati rice and cucumber salad. Yum!
Debs says
Amazing. So happy it was a hit! 🙂
Amber says
Loved this easy weeknight recipe. A definite 10/10!
Misrii - Homemade Food says
This is absolutely wonderful and so delicious joyful!
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Margaret says
we are having this tonight
Debs says
That's awesome Margaret!!!! Drop me a line and let me know how it goes!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
OMGee Debs! These look mouthwatering!! And only 3 ingredients and 15 smart points? Count me in.
Debs says
Thanks Mary Ann. A true life saver in a last minute situation!
Aimee Mars says
A 3 ingredient dinner?!? Done!
Debs says
A dream, right? x