Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick is a beloved Japanese street food that combines the rich flavors of teriyaki marinade with tender, juicy chicken skewers. Marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, sake, and mirin, then grilled to perfection, these flavorful skewers make for a delicious and easy-to-eat meal or appetizer.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the chicken and marinade:

  • 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

  • 1 bunch of green onions (scallions)

  • 5 garlic cloves, minced

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 2 tablespoons sake (optional)

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon vegetarian oyster sauce

  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil (e.g., avocado oil)

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

  • 1 teaspoon white pepper

• For the glaze:

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon honey

Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken:
   Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.

2. Soak the Skewers:
   Soak the bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent them from burning while grilling.

3. Make the Marinade:
   In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sake, oyster sauce, garlic, sesame oil, avocado oil, and white pepper.

4. Marinate the Chicken:
   Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the fridge for deeper flavor.

5. Prepare the Green Onions:
   Cut the green onions into 1-inch pieces.

6. Thread the Chicken:
   Thread the chicken and green onion pieces onto the soaked bamboo skewers, alternating between chicken and green onion.

7. Grill the Chicken:
   Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush the grill with oil to prevent sticking. Grill the skewers for 6-8 minutes on each side, until the chicken is fully cooked and slightly charred.

8. Glaze the Chicken:
   While grilling, baste the chicken with a glaze made by mixing soy sauce and honey. This adds a delicious, glossy finish and enhances the teriyaki flavor.

9. Serve and Enjoy:
   Serve the grilled skewers hot, garnished with additional sesame seeds or green onions if desired.

Nutrients

Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick is a flavorful and protein-packed dish. Here’s an approximate breakdown for one serving (1 skewer):

• Calories: 180-220 kcal

• Total Fat: 8-10g

  • Saturated Fat: 1-2g

• Cholesterol: 75-80mg

• Sodium: 500-600mg

• Carbohydrates: 8-10g

  • Fiber: 1-2g

  • Sugar: 7-9g

• Protein: 20-25g

Why Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick is So Popular

Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick is loved for its balance of flavors and ease of preparation. The combination of savory soy sauce, sweet honey, and the rich depth of sesame oil creates a marinade that infuses the chicken with incredible flavor. The chicken pieces are tender and juicy, with a slight char from grilling that adds extra texture and flavor. Additionally, the glaze made from soy sauce and honey adds a glossy, caramelized finish that enhances the overall flavor, making it sweet and savory.

The use of bamboo skewers makes it easy to serve and eat, whether you’re hosting a party, serving it as a side dish, or enjoying it as a main course. The dish is also customizable, allowing you to adjust the sweetness, saltiness, or spiciness to suit your taste preferences. Furthermore, the grilling process gives the chicken a smoky flavor that pairs wonderfully with the sweetness of the glaze, making it an irresistible treat.

How to Make Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick

Making Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to preparing this flavorful dish:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by cutting the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. Chicken thighs are ideal for this recipe because they stay moist and tender when grilled, making them perfect for skewers. You can also use chicken breasts if you prefer, but thighs tend to be juicier.

Step 2: Soak the Skewers

Before threading the chicken onto skewers, soak the bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. This step helps prevent the skewers from burning when grilled, ensuring that your chicken stays securely on the sticks.

Step 3: Make the Marinade

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sake (optional), oyster sauce, minced garlic, sesame oil, neutral oil (such as avocado oil), and white pepper. The combination of soy sauce and oyster sauce adds a deep umami flavor, while the sesame oil provides a hint of nuttiness. The garlic brings aromatic freshness to the marinade.

Step 4: Marinate the Chicken

Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat them evenly. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop. For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator.

Step 5: Prepare the Green Onions

While the chicken marinates, cut the green onions into 1-inch pieces. The green onions add a fresh, slightly savory flavor and complement the sweetness of the teriyaki glaze.

Step 6: Thread the Chicken

Once the chicken is marinated, it’s time to assemble the skewers. Thread the marinated chicken pieces and green onion pieces onto the soaked bamboo skewers, alternating between chicken and green onions. The green onions not only add flavor but also create a beautiful contrast of color on the skewers.

Step 7: Grill the Chicken

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Brush the grill with oil to prevent sticking. Grill the skewers for about 6-8 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is fully cooked and slightly charred. Be sure to check that the chicken is cooked through by ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Step 8: Glaze the Chicken

While the chicken is grilling, prepare the glaze by mixing soy sauce and honey in a small bowl. Brush the glaze onto the chicken skewers during the last few minutes of grilling, allowing it to caramelize and give the chicken a glossy, sweet finish. You can also baste the skewers with the glaze while they cook to build up layers of flavor.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Once the chicken is grilled and glazed, remove the skewers from the grill and serve them hot. You can garnish the skewers with additional sesame seeds or chopped green onions for extra flavor and color.

Why This Dish Is Perfect for Any Occasion

Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick is a versatile dish that’s perfect for various occasions. Whether you’re hosting a casual barbecue, serving an appetizer at a party, or preparing a family-friendly weeknight meal, these flavorful skewers are sure to be a hit. They’re easy to prepare and quick to cook, making them ideal for busy cooks.

The skewers are also portable, making them perfect for picnics or outdoor events. Plus, you can customize the level of sweetness and saltiness to suit your guests’ preferences, ensuring that everyone enjoys this delicious dish.

Conclusion

Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick is a delicious, easy-to-make dish that brings together savory, sweet, and smoky flavors in one bite. The combination of juicy, marinated chicken and the rich teriyaki glaze, paired with the added crunch of green onions, makes this dish a standout choice for any gathering. Whether served as an appetizer or a main course, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love.

The simplicity of the recipe, combined with the complex flavors of the teriyaki marinade, makes Teriyaki Chicken on a Stick a must-try dish for anyone who enjoys Japanese-inspired cuisine. Easy to prepare, customizable, and full of flavor, these skewers are perfect for any occasion, from casual dinners to special celebrations.