Honey garlic chicken skewers are coated in a sticky sauce that’s sweet, savory, and made with natural honey, fresh garlic and ginger, and simple soy sauce. The chicken cooks quickly on the grill, and the marinade is addictively good!

These honey garlic chicken skewers are definitely a contender for ‘best summer recipe’ status. Besides the fact that food on a stick is fun, the sweet honey garlic sauce is totally craveable. Not to mention, these skewers are perfect for summer BBQs, picnics, outdoor entertaining, or an easy dinner on a busy weeknight.

To make this meal even easier, you can use boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs, and you can even marinate the chicken the day ahead. Grilling the next day takes around 10 minutes, so you can have what is destined to be the new family favorite finger food ready in no time. Serve at your next cookout, or with fluffy rice, couscous, or with a big plate of grilled veggies for a simple, flavor-packed dinner.

How to Make It

1. Make the marinade. Whisk together all of the ingredients for the marinade/glaze. Divide in half and set aside. 
2. Marinate the chicken. Slice the chicken into cubes, combine with the marinade, and refrigerate. 
3. Grill. Place chicken pieces on skewers and grill over medium heat. As the chicken cooks, turn occasionally and baste. In 8 to 12 minutes, the chicken will be cooked through.

Ingredients

For the marinade / glaze:

• Ponzu – Ponzu tastes like a citrusy soy sauce, and is made with lime juice, fish flakes, vinegar, and soy sauce. You can find ponzu in most grocery stores in the Asian cooking aisle. 
• Honey – Honey is perfect for creating a sweet, sticky texture that becomes almost like a glaze when grilled. 
• Soy Sauce – Soy sauce is a mix of salty, sweet, and umami flavors, and it really complements the other components of the marinade.
• Toasted sesame oil – You won’t believe how much the marinade changes when you include toasted sesame oil’s deep, nutty flavor.
• Garlic, Fresh Ginger – Combining finely minced or grated garlic with fresh ginger adds intense aromatics to the glaze.
• Red Pepper Flakes – For as little or as much spiciness as you like. 

For the chicken:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs – Chicken thighs are super rich, moist, and the dark meat is incredibly flavorful. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but they won’t be quite as rich.
• Bamboo or Metal Skewers –  Bamboo skewers are great for convenience, while metal skewers can be used over and over again. Either works for this recipe. 

Make Ahead

Marinated meats are great make ahead recipes, because you can prep them the day before and then throw them on the grill the next afternoon or evening when you’re ready to serve them. Feel free to make the glaze and start marinating the honey garlic chicken up to one day in advance. Or, prep the marinade and meat in the morning, and then cook the skewers when everyone is home from work or school. 

Tips

• These chicken skewers cook in minutes on the grill, but if you notice the chicken start to blacken as it cooks, move the skewers to indirect heat. 
• Cut the chicken into uniform-sized pieces so the skewers cook quickly and evenly.
• To prevent the ends of the bamboo stick skewers from charring, soak them in water for 30 minutes before use.

Variations

• Use the marinade for stir fry – If you don’t feel like firing up the grill, try this easy marinade with stir fry chicken. Serve with your favorite veggies and rice for a tasty weeknight meal.
• Try a different protein – Honey garlic marinade is amazing with pork and shrimp too. 
• Serve with riced veggies – Riced cauliflower or riced broccoli are a great alternative to traditional rice. 

FAQs

More Grill Recipes

• Thai-Style Grilled Chicken (Gai Yang)
• Sweet and Spicy Grilled Shrimp with Pineapple Salsa
• Chili-Lime Glazed Beef Skewers with Charred Corn Salsa
• Tex Mex Burgers with Guacamole
• Black Bean and Quinoa Veggie Burgers

Favorite Tools

• Anchor 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowls 
• Whisk
• Bamboo Skewers
• Grill or Grill Pan