Asian Chicken Skewers Recipe (40 Mins)
These Asian chicken skewers pieces are sweet-tangy marinated with Asian flavors and take less than 30 minutes to make. Most of the ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
I think my love for Asian food really started when we were living in Singapore. The food there is just incredible—so much flavor, so many different cuisines, and honestly, some of the best street food I’ve ever had.
Skewers were always one of my favorites. Whether it was from a hawker stall or a small street vendor, there was something about that smoky, slightly charred, flavor-packed chicken that I couldn’t get enough of.
This recipe is my way of bringing a little bit of that back home. It’s simple, full of flavor, and one of those meals I keep coming back to—especially when I want something quick but really satisfying.
Why make these skewers
- Juicy and full of flavor – a bold, balanced marinade that really works
- Quick and easy – minimal prep, fast cooking
- No fancy ingredients – simple pantry staples
- Great for grilling or stovetop – works anytime, anywhere Perfect for weeknights or BBQs – easy but impressive
Ingredients and substitutes
- Chicken – I like chicken thighs, but chicken breast works just as well.
- Sesame Oil – Adds a nice smoky and Asian flavor, but you can omit it. Sesame oil has a long shelf life, so if you do venture into Asian cooking, sesame oil is a good flavor to have at home.
- Soy sauce – I like to use low-sodium soy sauce. But if you use the regular, which has salt added, you may want to reduce the quantity of salt in the dish.
- Brown sugar – Adds flavor and color. If you don’t have brown sugar, just use regular white sugar.
- Ginger/garlic – These are a must when you cook meat dishes. If you don’t have fresh, go ahead and add 1 tsp each of powdered garlic and ginger. However, Asian cooking is all about fresh ingredients.
- Ketchup – Adds a nice tangy flavor to the tomatoes.
- Onion powder – Fresh onions make the marinade very liquid and burn easily on the grill. The powder is a great way to add flavor.
Step-by-step: Asian skewers – Chicken
- Marinade – In a marinade-safe bowl, add all the marinade ingredients. Combine well so the brown sugar almost melts.
- Marinate – Add the chicken pieces and combine well. Cover and leave to marinate for 15 minutes on the counter or 3 hours in the refrigerator.
- Skewers – Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes. Then, thread 3 to 4 chicken pieces on each skewer.
- Sauce – Pour the leftover marinade into a saucepan with 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Pro tip – For food safety, it is very important that the sauce simmers for at least 2 to 3 minutes.
- Grill – Grill on high heat, turning every 2 minutes, until cooked through and lightly charred. In the last 2 minutes, brush generously with the sauce to create a glossy, caramelized finish
- Serve over steamed rice or noodles with the remaining sauce.
Tips for Success
- Cut chicken evenly so it cooks at the same rate
- Don’t skip marinating—even 15 minutes makes a difference
- Grill on high heat for a good sear and light char
- Brush with sauce at the end for best flavor and caramelization
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Frequently asked questions
Any leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. The chicken freezes well for up to a month, too.
Absolutely. Chicken breast is leaner and cooks much faster. When overcooked, it can become dry. So, make sure to cook just until done, about 3 minutes at first. Then, 2 minutes more should be just right.
It is best to marinate these ahead of time, but cook them just before you are ready to eat. They can be marinated up to 4 hours ahead of time, leaving you enough time to do everything else.
Yes, if you want, you can add veggies like onion, pepper, and tomatoes between the chicken pieces.
Asian Skewer Chicken in 30 Mins
These Asian chicken skewers are sweet-tangy and marinated with Asian flavors and take less than 30 minutes to make. Most of the ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
Video
Ingredients
- 1 Kg (2 lbs) Chicken cut into cubes
- ¼ tsp Salt to taste
- ¼ tsp Black pepper powder
- 2 large Garlic cloves minced
- 1 inch Fresh Ginger grated
- 1 tbsp Onion powder
- 2 tbsp Rice vinegar
- 2 – 3 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Sesame oil
- 4 tbsp Soy sauce or chilly oil
- 2 tbsp Chilly sauce spicy
- 1 tbsp Ketchup
Method
- Marinade – In a bowl, combine all marinade ingredients until the sugar is mostly dissolved.1 Kg Chicken
- Marinate – Add chicken and toss well. Cover and marinate for 15 minutes at room temperature or up to 3 hours in the fridge.¼ tsp Salt, ¼ tsp Black pepper powder, 2 large Garlic cloves, 1 inch Fresh Ginger, 1 tbsp Onion powder, 2 tbsp Rice vinegar, 2 – 3 tbsp Brown sugar, 1 tbsp Sesame oil, 4 tbsp Soy sauce, 2 tbsp Chilly sauce, 1 tbsp Ketchup
- Skewers – Soak bamboo skewers for 30 minutes. Thread 3 to 4 chicken pieces onto each skewer.
- Sauce – Pour the leftover marinade into a saucepan with 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Set aside.
- Grill – Cook on a hot grill, turning every 2 minutes, until cooked through and lightly charred (about 4 to 5 minutes per skewer). In the last 2 minutes, brush generously with the sauce.
- Serve – Serve with rice or noodles and the remaining sauce.
Notes
- Boil leftover marinade before using as sauce
- Add a splash of water if sauce gets too thick
- Soak bamboo skewers to prevent burning
Equipment you will need
Nutrition
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This has become one of our families favorites . So full of flavor and so delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us !
Thank you, Melissa.
These were absolutely delicious! I do keto, so I substituted soy sauce with coconut aminos and brown sugar with Golden Monkfruit Sweetener. I made more than I usually would, so I would have leftovers..well, there weren’t any! This will most definitely be added to the dinner rotation 🙂
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback. I’ve never tried these substitutes so it’s good to know that they work.
Oh my – these chicken skewers look amazing, and very much like something my family would adore! Thank you for the great tips and FAQs – I especially liked the suggestions about controlling/adjusting the spiciness (since my guys like spicy foods but my daughter doesn’t), and about adding veggies, which I think is a GREAT idea! Another terrific recipe post – you have such great ideas!
Thank you so much, Shelly. I hope you try this soon. Great day
This is a such a delicious recipe. We all loved it. My brother will make it again this weekend because he loved it so much.
Thank you so much, Gunjan. So happy your family enjoyed it so much
This dish is simply delicious! The sesame oil does add a smoky flavor.
Yes, it does Haley, Thanks for the feedback. Glad you enjoyed it
These chicken skewers are full of flavor and so easy to make! Thanks!
You are very welcome, Mary. Thank you for the feedback
Wow this chicken looks so saucy and delicious!
It is, thanks, Amy
This was outstanding! So tasty on the grill. Thank you for giving me a reason to fire it up!
Thanks, Christian. I am happy you enjoyed it. Thanks for the feedback
This is my kind of recipe. So easy to do and gave beautiful results. Thank you so much.
You are very welcome Sisley. I am so happy you enjoyed it.