Easy Grilled Asian Chicken Skewers with Honey Garlic Sauce Recipe

Easy Grilled Asian Chicken Skewers with Honey Garlic Sauce Recipe

Grilled Asian chicken skewers dance with vibrant flavor profiles that refine ordinary protein into something extraordinary.

Tender meat marinated in complex seasonings promises a culinary adventure waiting to unfold.

Sweet and savory notes intertwine seamlessly, creating a harmony that delights taste buds.

Marinades infused with traditional Asian ingredients elevate simple chicken to gourmet heights.

The combination of honey and garlic creates a glaze that caramelizes beautifully when kissed by flame.

Succulent pieces thread onto skewers become irresistible morsels of pure deliciousness.

Each bite promises a perfect balance between smoky char and delicate sauce.

Get ready to impress dinner companions with this crowd-pleasing recipe that feels both elegant and approachable.

How to Grill Juicy Chicken Skewers with Honey Garlic Glaze

Step 1: Slice and Prepare Chicken

Cut chicken into uniform cubes ensuring each piece is roughly the same size for consistent cooking. Pat chicken dry with paper towels to help achieve better browning.

Step 2: Create Magical Honey Garlic Glaze

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Pour in:
  • Honey
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Soy sauce
  • Brown sugar

Whisk ingredients together until smooth. Mix cornstarch with water separately, then stir into sauce. Cook until sauce thickens and becomes glossy.

Step 3: Thread and Skewer Chicken

Pierce chicken cubes onto pre-soaked skewers, leaving small spaces between pieces. Ensure even distribution for balanced cooking.

Step 4: Select Cooking Method

Grill Method: Heat grill to medium-high temperature. Cook skewers 5-7 minutes per side, turning occasionally.

Oven Method: Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange skewers on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes, then broil 2-3 minutes for caramelization.

Step 5: Glaze and Finish

Brush skewers generously with prepared honey garlic sauce during final cooking minutes. Allow skewers to rest 3-4 minutes before serving.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Plate skewers with extra sauce on side for dipping. Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.

Tips for Skewers That Stay Tender and Well-Seasoned

  • Soak Skewers Thoroughly: Submerge wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
  • Space Chicken Evenly: Leave small gaps between chicken cubes on skewers to ensure uniform heat distribution and perfect cooking.
  • Control Sauce Consistency: Stir cornstarch mixture slowly to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, glossy honey garlic sauce.
  • Watch Grilling Time Carefully: Monitor chicken closely to prevent overcooking, aiming for a golden-brown exterior and juicy interior.
  • Enhance Flavor Depth: Marinate chicken for 30 minutes before cooking to infuse extra Asian-inspired taste and tenderness.

How to Store and Reheat Asian Chicken Skewers

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover chicken skewers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Separate skewers and sauce to maintain their texture and flavor.
  • Reheating Oven: Warm skewers at 350°F for 10-12 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Brush with extra honey garlic sauce halfway through reheating to restore moisture and taste.
  • Microwave Option: Heat skewers on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds to avoid overcooking. Add a tablespoon of water or sauce to keep chicken juicy and prevent toughness.

What to Serve with Grilled Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers

  • Sip a Crisp Riesling: Complement the sweet and tangy honey garlic sauce with a chilled Riesling that balances the chicken's richness and adds a refreshing twist to each bite.
  • Pair with Sesame Cucumber Salad: Create a cool, crunchy side dish that contrasts the warm, glazed skewers and provides a light, zesty accompaniment to cut through the sauce's sweetness.
  • Pour a Craft Ginger Beer: Enhance the Asian-inspired flavors with a spicy ginger beer that echoes the garlic notes and offers a bright, effervescent counterpoint to the grilled chicken.
  • Serve with Jasmine Rice: Add a soft, fragrant base that soaks up the delicious honey garlic sauce and provides a neutral canvas for the skewers' bold flavors.

Flavor Variations for Asian-Inspired Chicken Skewers

  • Spicy Chili Pepper Kick: Replace honey with sriracha and add red pepper flakes for a fiery version that brings intense heat to the classic recipe.
  • Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Swap soy sauce with lemon juice, add oregano and rosemary, and use olive oil for marinating to create a Mediterranean-inspired chicken skewer experience.
  • Coconut Curry Transformation: Incorporate coconut milk and mild curry powder into the sauce, replacing apple cider vinegar with lime juice for a creamy, exotic flavor profile that transports taste buds to Southeast Asian cuisine.
  • Smoky Maple Bacon Infusion: Mix maple syrup instead of honey, add crispy bacon bits to the sauce, and sprinkle smoked paprika for a rich, savory variation that brings depth and complexity to the original recipe.

Why Easy Grilled Asian Chicken Skewers with Honey Garlic Sauce Are Backyard Stars

  • Savor Quick Asian Fusion Flavors: These skewers blend sweet, tangy, and savory Asian-inspired tastes in a lightning-fast meal that transforms ordinary chicken into an exciting culinary experience.
  • Master Effortless Grilling Techniques: The recipe offers flexible cooking methods (grill or oven) that guarantee perfectly cooked chicken with minimal cooking skills, making it ideal for beginners and seasoned home cooks alike.
  • Enjoy Crowd-Pleasing Honey Garlic Magic: The homemade sauce creates an irresistible sticky glaze that transforms simple chicken into a restaurant-quality dish, guaranteed to impress family and friends with its rich, complex flavor profile.
  • Celebrate Convenient Meal Preparation: With just 30 minutes from start to finish, these skewers provide a stress-free cooking solution for busy weeknights, delivering maximum flavor with minimal effort and cleanup.

Ingredients for Grilled Asian Chicken Skewers with Sweet and Savory Sauce

Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean, tender meat that provides a perfect base for the Asian-inspired marinade, best when fresh and without any discoloration.
  • Bamboo Skewers: Essential for grilling and serving, wooden skewers that help hold chicken pieces together during cooking.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Butter, Garlic: Rich base that adds depth and aromatic flavor to the sauce.
  • Honey, Brown Sugar: Natural sweeteners that create a caramelized glaze with balanced sweetness.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Tangy ingredient that adds brightness and helps balance the sauce's flavor profile.
  • Soy Sauce: Classic Asian condiment that provides umami and salty undertones.
Thickening Agents:
  • Cornstarch, Water: Crucial for creating a smooth, glossy sauce with perfect consistency and preventing separation.
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Easy Grilled Asian Chicken Skewers with Honey Garlic Sauce Recipe

Easy Grilled Asian Chicken Skewers with Honey Garlic Sauce Recipe


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4.8 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Succulent Asian chicken skewers marinate in zesty flavors before hitting the grill, creating a mouthwatering experience. Drizzled with honey garlic sauce, these skewers deliver a perfect balance of sweet and savory that will make meals memorable.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes (453 grams)

Sauce Ingredients:

  • ½ cup honey (170 grams)
  • ¼ cup brown sugar (50 grams)
  • ¼ cup butter (57 grams)
  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar (60 milliliters)
  • ¼ cup soy sauce (60 milliliters)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

Thickening Agents and Additional Items:

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (16 grams)
  • ¼ cup water (60 milliliters)
  • Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

Instructions

  1. Prepare skewers by soaking wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during cooking.
  2. Cut chicken into uniform, bite-sized cubes ensuring consistent cooking and attractive presentation.
  3. Create honey garlic sauce by combining butter and garlic in a saucepan, gently heating until aromatic and golden.
  4. Incorporate honey, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar into the garlic mixture, stirring until smooth and well-integrated.
  5. Dissolve cornstarch in water and whisk into the sauce, allowing it to simmer and thicken into a glossy, rich consistency.
  6. Thread chicken cubes onto prepared skewers, maintaining even spacing for optimal heat distribution.
  7. For grilling, place skewers on medium-high heat, rotating every 5-6 minutes to achieve balanced charring and thorough cooking.
  8. For oven preparation, arrange skewers on parchment-lined baking sheet and roast at 400°F, turning halfway through cooking.
  9. During final cooking minutes, generously brush skewers with prepared honey garlic sauce to create a caramelized, flavorful glaze.
  10. Remove skewers from heat and allow to rest briefly, ensuring juices redistribute throughout the meat.
  11. Plate skewers with additional sauce on the side for dipping, garnishing with optional chopped herbs or sesame seeds.

Notes

  • Grill heat plays a crucial role in achieving perfect caramelization and tender chicken texture.
  • Skewering technique ensures even cooking and helps distribute marinade flavors throughout each chicken piece.
  • Sauce preparation transforms basic ingredients into a complex, sticky-sweet coating that elevates the entire dish’s taste profile.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 485
  • Sugar: 34 g
  • Sodium: 1020 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 56 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 26 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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