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skewerEasyJapanese-American

Teriyaki Chicken Skewers

Grilled chicken glazed with sweet soy sauce—essential tiki party fare

⏱️ Prep: 20min🍳 Cook: 15min⏰ Total: 35min👥 Serves: 24🌡️ hot
⚠️ Contains: 🫘 Soy, 🌾 Gluten

Ingredients

  • 2 lbschicken thighs(boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces)
  • 0.5 cupsoy sauce
  • 0.25 cupmirin
  • 0.25 cupsake(or dry sherry)
  • 3 tbspbrown sugar
  • 1 tbspfresh ginger(grated)
  • 2 clovesgarlic(minced)
  • 24bamboo skewers(soaked 30 minutes)
  • 2 tbspsesame seeds(for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic in saucepan
  2. Simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes; reserve half for glazing
  3. Thread chicken pieces onto soaked skewers
  4. Grill over medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes per side
  5. Brush with teriyaki glaze during last minute of cooking
  6. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve with remaining sauce

💡 Pro Tips

Use chicken thighs for juicier results. Soak wooden skewers 30 minutes to prevent burning. Reserve some sauce for glazing after cooking. Grill over medium-high, turning and glazing frequently. The sauce should caramelize but not burn.

📜 History

Teriyaki is a Japanese cooking technique (teri = shine, yaki = grill) that became synonymous with Hawaiian and tiki cuisine after Japanese immigrants arrived in the islands. The sweet, glossy glaze became a signature flavor of Polynesian-American fusion cooking.

🍸 Pairs Well With

Also pairs well with:

rumbeersake