Juicy Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers: Easy Recipe for Grilling or Oven
Make incredibly flavorful and juicy chicken skewers with this simple Honey Garlic marinade. This easy recipe works perfectly on the grill, in the oven, or in the air fryer, making it a perfect weeknight dinner or BBQ favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian Inspired
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Optional: 1 Tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 Tbsp cold water (for thickening)
- Wooden or metal skewers (soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before use)
Instructions
- Place the cubed chicken into a large bowl or zip-top bag.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, ground ginger, and black pepper to create the marinade.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours, for the best flavor.
- Preheat your grill to medium heat (about 375°F) or preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). If using an air fryer, preheat to 380°F (195°C).
- Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked wooden or metal skewers, leaving a small space between each piece. Discard any remaining marinade.
- For Grilling: Place skewers on the oiled grill grates. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly charred.
- For Oven Baking: Arrange skewers in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Bake for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- For Air Frying: Place skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket (work in batches if necessary). Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through.
- If you desire a thicker sauce, pour any leftover marinade (or a small amount of fresh sauce made separately) into a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. If using, whisk in the cornstarch slurry and cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Brush the cooked skewers lightly with the thickened sauce just before serving. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For added color and flavor, thread pieces of bell pepper, onion, or pineapple between the chicken pieces before grilling.
- If you want a spicy kick, add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the marinade mixture.
- This recipe yields incredibly juicy chicken skewers because the honey helps tenderize the meat during marination.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 skewers
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 38
- Cholesterol: 105