Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe with Grilled Perfection
Teriyaki chicken skewers recipe turns ordinary dinners into something special without requiring fancy skills or hard-to-find items.
The sweet and savory combination creates a flavor profile that appeals to nearly everyone at the table, making it perfect for weeknight meals or weekend gatherings.
You can serve them straight from the grill, broiler, or stovetop with equally delicious results.
They work beautifully as a main course alongside rice and vegetables or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer at parties.
The glossy coating and charred edges add visual appeal that makes any plate look restaurant-worthy.
Kids love the fun presentation on sticks, while adults appreciate the bold flavors that satisfy without being overwhelming.
Everything comes together quickly enough for busy schedules yet feels impressive enough for company.
Standout Features Of Juicy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Ingredient List
Primary Protein:Fresh Produce:Sauce:Prep Tools for This Recipe Juicy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
What Are the Steps for Juicy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Prepare Chicken and Bacon
Grab your chicken thighs and slice them into bite-sized cubes about 1 inch thick. Take those bacon strips and stretch them out gently, then cut each strip into halves or thirds depending on their length. Keep your cutting board clean and organized.
Create Skewer Assembly Station
Spread out your prepped ingredients on the counter:
Grab your skewers and get ready to build some flavor combinations.
Build Skewer Layers
Wrap each chicken chunk in a bacon slice, then slide it onto a skewer. Follow each bacon-wrapped chicken piece with a pineapple chunk. Create a pattern of two bacon-chicken pieces, then a pineapple piece. Continue until all skewers are loaded.
Marinate Skewers
Place the assembled skewers in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour 1/2 cup of teriyaki sauce over the skewers, reserving about 1/4 cup for later basting. Cover the dish and refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours to let the flavors meld together.
Preheat Grill
Fire up your grill and heat it to a steady temperature between 350°F and 400°F. Make sure the grates are clean and lightly oiled.
Grill Skewers
Lay the marinated skewers across the grill grates. Brush with the reserved teriyaki sauce. Grill for 7 minutes, then carefully flip each skewer. Baste again with sauce and continue grilling for another 7 minutes. Watch for the bacon to crisp up and the chicken to cook completely through.
Serve and Enjoy
Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. The bacon should be crispy, and the chicken perfectly cooked. Serve hot and savor each delicious bite.
What Keeps Juicy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Tender
Ways To Change It Up with Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Best Serving Options For Juicy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Best Way to Keep Juicy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Juicy Teriyaki Chicken Skewer FAQs
Can I use different types of bacon?
Thick-cut bacon works best. Thin bacon might crisp too quickly and burn before the chicken cooks through.
How do I prevent the wooden skewers from burning?
Soak your wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from catching fire on the grill.
What if I don’t have a grill?
Bake these skewers in a preheated 400°F oven for about 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking.
Can I swap pineapple for another fruit?
Chunks of mango or peaches make excellent substitutes if pineapple isn’t your favorite.
How can I tell the chicken is fully cooked?
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the chicken.
Should the bacon be cooked beforehand?
No, raw bacon will cook perfectly while grilling and wrap around the chicken during the process.
Bacon Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 29 minutes to 8 hours 29 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Teriyaki chicken skewers bring together sweet and tangy flavors that’ll make your taste buds dance with excitement. Grilled to perfection and glazed with a homemade sauce, these skewers are a quick and delicious way to enjoy a classic Japanese-inspired meal.
Ingredients
Primary Protein:
- 1 lb chicken thighs
- 8 oz bacon strips
Fresh Produce:
- 1 fresh pineapple
Sauce:
- ¾ cup teriyaki sauce
Instructions
- Cut 1 lb chicken thighs into bite-sized cubes about 1-inch thick for easy skewering.
- Slice 8 oz bacon strips lengthwise into halves or thirds, creating thin bacon pieces.
- Chop 1 fresh pineapple into chunks approximately the same size as chicken cubes.
- Wrap each chicken cube completely with a bacon slice, ensuring full coverage.
- Slide a bacon-wrapped chicken piece onto a skewer, then add a pineapple chunk right after.
- Repeat the pattern: two bacon-wrapped chicken pieces alternating with pineapple chunks.
- Place assembled skewers in a 9×13-inch baking dish, arranging them in a single layer.
- Pour ½ cup teriyaki sauce over skewers, reserving ¼ cup for later basting.
- Cover the dish and refrigerate for 4 to 8 hours, allowing flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Preheat grill to 375°F, creating even medium-high heat across the cooking surface.
- Transfer marinated skewers directly onto clean, oiled grill grates.
- Brush reserved teriyaki sauce over skewers during first side’s cooking.
- Grill for 7 minutes, then carefully flip skewers using tongs.
- Baste second side with remaining teriyaki sauce and grill another 7 minutes.
- Check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F before removing from grill.
- Let skewers rest for 3 minutes to redistribute juices before serving.
Notes
- Cut chicken into uniform chunks to ensure even cooking and prevent dryness.
- Stretch bacon gently before wrapping to help it adhere smoothly to chicken pieces.
- Marinate skewers for at least 4 hours to let the teriyaki sauce deeply penetrate the meat and enhance flavor.
- Watch carefully while grilling to prevent bacon from burning, and check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg




Mary Sue
Founder & Creative Recipe Developer
Expertise
Comfort Food Twists, Seasonal Cooking, Creative Flavor Pairings, Easy Weeknight Dinners, Flexible Pantry Cooking
Education
Mary Sue is the playful, creative recipe mind behind Mary Sue & Susan, known for big flavor ideas, warm storytelling, and dishes that feel both comforting and a little unexpected. She has a talent for taking familiar meals and giving them just enough personality to make them memorable.