Description
Sesame chicken skewers bring Mediterranean summer flavors dancing across your plate with juicy marinated chicken and nutty sesame notes. Bold spices and simple grilling techniques create a quick weeknight dinner that connects global cuisine straight to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) chicken breast, cubed (1-inch pieces)
Marinade and Glaze:
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) soy sauce
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) water
- 1/4 cup (50 grams) brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water (for slurry)
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons sliced scallions
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Craft a zesty marinade by blending soy sauce, water, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and crushed red pepper in a mixing bowl.
- Submerge chicken cubes completely in the marinade within a sealed container, ensuring thorough coating. Refrigerate for 1-24 hours to infuse deep flavors.
- Prepare wooden skewers by soaking them in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Remove chicken from marinade and carefully thread onto pre-soaked skewers, creating evenly spaced portions.
- Heat grill to high temperature (around 450°F), creating ideal searing conditions for chicken.
- Place skewers on hot grill, cooking approximately 5 minutes per side until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, with beautiful caramelized edges.
- Allow grilled skewers to rest for 5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
- Create a glossy glaze by combining soy sauce, water, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Prepare cornstarch slurry in a separate container by mixing cornstarch with water until smooth.
- Pour slurry into simmering sauce, stirring continuously until glaze thickens (approximately 12 minutes).
- Generously brush warm glaze over grilled chicken skewers, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and thinly sliced scallions as a final garnish.
- Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the vibrant, sesame-infused chicken skewers.
Notes
- Marinate longer for deeper flavor intensity, allowing chicken to absorb more delicious sesame and soy notes.
- Prevent bamboo skewers from burning by completely submerging them in water before grilling, ensuring they don’t catch fire.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, maintaining the same rich umami profile.
- Balance heat levels by adjusting crushed red pepper quantities, making the dish mild or spicy according to personal preference.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg