Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
These Teriyaki Chicken Skewers are perfect for busy nights when you want something a little different without spending hours in the kitchen. The chicken is marinated in my easy homemade Teriyaki Sauce, making it juicy, full of flavour and ready for the BBQ or oven after just 30 minutes. It’s one of those family dinners my kids always ask for, and one I know will disappear in no time.
This simple Japanese-inspired dinner is a staple on our menu—I make it almost every week. Sometimes I serve it over sticky sushi rice as a teriyaki chicken bowl, while leftovers are perfect tucked into crisp lettuce wraps for lunch the next day. As a busy mum who loves to cook, these are exactly the kinds of dinners I rely on—simple, full of flavour and easy to fit around family life.
⏱️ In a hurry? Use the Jump to Recipe button above. If you’ve got a minute,
you’ll find my best tips, step-by-step photos and serving ideas below.
Why You’ll Love These Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
- Perfect for busy weeknights – The chicken only needs a quick 30-minute marinade before it’s ready for the BBQ or oven.
- Better than takeaway – My simple homemade teriyaki sauce creates a delicious sticky glaze with just a handful of everyday ingredients.
- Cook it your way – These skewers are just as delicious on the BBQ as they are in the oven, making them perfect all year round.
- Easy family dinner – Serve with sticky sushi rice and a simple side salad for a complete meal everyone will enjoy.
- Great for meal prep – Leftovers are delicious in rice bowls, wraps or packed into lunchboxes the next day.
- 💡 Kid Verdict: Requested the following week again. ✔️
📝 Recipe Ingredients
Chicken: I prefer using chicken thighs for these teriyaki chicken skewers because they stay juicy and tender during cooking. You can use chicken breast instead, but keep an eye on it as it cooks more quickly and can dry out if overcooked.
Teriyaki Sauce: While you can use a store-bought teriyaki sauce if you have a favourite, I always make my own homemade Teriyaki Sauce. It only takes a few minutes to make with four simple ingredients, and I love knowing exactly what’s going into our dinner. I’ve included the recipe in the recipe card below.
Love teriyaki? My Baked Teriyaki Salmon uses the same homemade teriyaki sauce and is another quick, family-friendly dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
🪧 Recipe Tips Before You Start
- Don’t skip the marinade. Even 30 minutes makes a difference, but if you have the time, marinating the chicken overnight gives the best flavour.
- Soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes before threading on the chicken to prevent them from burning on the BBQ.
- Brush the cooked skewers with extra teriyaki sauce just before serving for an extra glossy finish and even more flavour.
👩🍳 How To Make
Step 1: Start by dicing the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Prepare the teriyaki sauce according to the instructions in the recipe card, or use store-bought.
Step 3: Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator.
Step 4: Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) or fire up the BBQ. Once the chicken is marinated, thread it onto the skewers.
Step 6: Bake for 10–15 minutes until the chicken skewers are cooked through and have a nice golden-brown color.
❄️ Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover teriyaki chicken skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the raw chicken in the teriyaki marinade for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before threading onto skewers and cooking. Cooked skewers can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat the chicken gently in a frying pan over medium heat or in a 180°C (350°F) oven until warmed through. You can also microwave leftovers in short bursts until hot. If the glaze has thickened, add a splash of water to loosen it.
🍽️ Build Your Dinner
Complete tonight’s meal with these easy recipes.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Chicken breast works well, but it cooks more quickly and can dry out if overcooked. Chicken thighs stay juicier and are my preferred choice for teriyaki chicken skewers.
Absolutely. Bake them at 200°C (400°F) until the chicken is cooked through, turning the skewers halfway through cooking. Finish them under the grill for a minute or two if you’d like a little extra caramelisation.
Yes. Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance, then thread it onto skewers just before cooking. You can also freeze the chicken in the marinade and defrost it overnight in the fridge before cooking. Chicken will marinate while it is defrosting.
Yes. If you don’t have skewers, simply cook the marinated chicken pieces directly on the BBQ, in a grill pan or in a frying pan. They’ll taste just as delicious.
Yes. I recommend freezing the raw chicken in the teriyaki marinade for up to 3 months. Defrost it overnight in the fridge before threading onto skewers and cooking. Cooked skewers can also be frozen, although they’re best enjoyed fresh.
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe
SAVE THIS RECIPE 💌
We’ll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Equipment
- 10 metal skewers
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken thigh cut into bite-sized pieces
Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients
- ½ cup soy sauce
- 2 teaspoon sugar
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoon tapioca or corn starch
Instructions
Make the Teriyaki Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, water, garlic, sugar, and olive oil. Simmer for 5 minutes. In a separate bowl, whisk cornstarch with 2 tbsp of water until smooth, then stir it into the saucepan. Simmer for 3–4 more minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and let cool.
Marinate the Chicken:
- Place the chicken in a bowl or zip-top bag, add half of the teriyaki sauce, and mix well. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) or fire up the BBQ. Thread the marinated chicken onto skewers.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes or grill until golden brown and cooked through, turning occasionally.
- Drizzle with the remaining teriyaki sauce and serve with your favorite Japanese sides—goma-ae (Japanese spinach salad) is highly recommended!
Video
Notes
Did this recipe make it onto your family dinner rotation?
Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and a comment below—I love hearing how these recipes turn out in your kitchen, and your review helps other families choose what to cook tonight.
What To Cook Next
Looking for another easy family dinner? Here are a few more reader favourites to add to your meal plan.
SAVE THIS RECIPE 💌
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
I love how simple and flavorful this teriyaki chicken skewers recipe is. It’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner with a tasty homemade sauce.
So happy to hear you enjoyed it!! 😊
Ich habe das Hänchen nach deinem Recept mariniert, Morgen werde es grillen. danke fur die Idee .