Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers

Short description

Juicy, tender chicken pieces marinated in a sweet and savory honey garlic blend, threaded onto skewers and grilled or air-fried to caramelized perfection—a crowd-pleasing favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

this Recipe

• The marinade—honey, garlic, soy, and a touch of ginger—gives an irresistible sweet-savory flavor
• Versatile cooking options: grill, oven, air-fryer, or stovetop
• Kid-friendly yet elevated enough for gatherings
• Great make-ahead dish—the marinade deepens flavor over time

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ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• Honey
• Soy sauce (or dark soy sauce)
• Garlic (fresh and/or garlic powder)
• Optional: ginger, sesame oil, vinegar or lemon juice, red pepper flakes
• Oil (vegetable or sesame)
• Optional veggies: bell pepper, onion
• Optional garnishes: sesame seeds, cilantro or parsley

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directions

1. Make the marinade – Whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, oil, and any optional add-ins like ginger, vinegar, or red pepper flakes (kitchensanctuary.com).
2. Marinate the chicken – Cube the chicken into 1″ pieces, then coat in marinade. Cover and refrigerate 1–24 hours depending on preference .
3. Prepare skewers – Soak wooden skewers for at least 30 min (to prevent burning); or use metal. Thread chicken—and optional veggies like bell pepper or onion—onto skewers (kitchensanctuary.com).
4. Cook the skewers
   • Grill: Preheat to medium-high heat. Grill 8–15 min, turning and basting with reserved marinade, until chicken reaches 165 °F (apnews.com).
   • Air-fryer: Preheat to 400 °F; cook 11–15 min, flipping halfway, brushing with leftover marinade (iamhomesteader.com).
   • Oven: Bake at 400 °F for 20–25 min, flipping halfway, then baste with sauce (allrecipes.com).
5. Finish and serve – Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped herbs (such as cilantro or parsley). Serve over rice, with salad, or as an appetizer.

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Servings and timing

• Servings: 4–6 (makes about 8‑12 skewers)
• Prep time: 10–20 min (plus marinating time)
• Cook time: 10–15 min (grill or air-fry); 20–25 min oven
• Total time: ~1 hr 15 min (including marinating)

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Variations

• Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful skewers (kitchensanctuary.com, apnews.com)
• Add veggies on skewers—bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, zucchini
• Boost flavor with ginger, sesame oil, chili garlic sauce, or grated Parmesan (damndelicious.net)
• Make Asian-style: Include oyster sauce, chili garlic sauce, Dijon mustard, or ketchup in marinade (damndelicious.net)

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storage/reheating

Storage:

• Refrigerate cooled skewers in airtight containers up to 3–4 days (iamhomesteader.com).
• Freeze uncooked marinated chicken (sans veggies) for up to 3 months; thaw before threading and cooking (thrivinghomeblog.com).

Reheating:

• Microwave: Heat covered in 30-second bursts until hot.
• Oven or air-fryer: Reheat at 350–375 °F for ~5–10 min until warm; brush with extra sauce if needed.

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FAQs

1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes—thighs offer more moisture and flavor; they hold up well on skewers .

2. How long should I marinate the chicken?

A minimum of 1 hour is good, but 2–24 hours yields richer flavor. Don’t exceed 24 hours to avoid mushy texture .

3. Wooden skewers keep burning—how to prevent this?

Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before using (thrivinghomeblog.com).

4. Can I cook these in an air-fryer?

Absolutely—air-fry at 400 °F for 11–15 minutes, flipping halfway and basting with reduced marinade .

5. What temperature should the chicken reach?

Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165 °F internally (damndelicious.net).

6. My sauce is too thin—how to fix it?

Simmer leftover marinade gently until thickened before basting. You can add a cornstarch slurry for extra viscosity (reddit.com).

7. Can I add vegetables like bell peppers or onions?

Yes—thread alternating pieces of veggies and chicken for a balanced skewer (kitchensanctuary.com).

8. What can I serve with these skewers?

Rice, quinoa, grilled veggies, salad, roasted potatoes, or crusty bread are all great options (iamhomesteader.com).

9. Can I grill them ahead of time?

You can prep and freeze uncooked skewers; cook them later to retain flavor and texture .

10. How do I avoid overcooking the chicken?

Don’t overcrowd the pan or grill. Cook over medium to high heat, turning regularly, and remove once the thickest part hits 165 °F .

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Conclusion

These Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers deliver a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and garlicky goodness that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion. Whether grilled, air-fried, or baked, they’re juicy, flavorful, and versatile. Serve them with vibrant sides for a satisfying meal or offer them as crowd-pleasing appetizers. Enjoy the perfect balance of flavor and convenience!

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