Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe With Glaze
Teriyaki chicken skewers bring together sweet and savory flavors in a way that feels both familiar and exciting at every bite.
You can serve them at casual backyard gatherings or weeknight dinners when something special is in order.
The glossy glaze caramelizes beautifully during cooking, creating those delightful charred edges everyone loves.
They work wonderfully as appetizers that disappear quickly from any platter or as a main course that satisfies completely.
Pairing them with rice and vegetables makes for a balanced meal that comes together faster than ordering takeout.
The versatility of grilled protein on a stick means adapting them to different occasions is effortlessly simple.
Skip the restaurant wait times and make something memorable that offers everyone to the table tonight.
Best Reasons to Try Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Ingredient Breakdown
Main Proteins:Fruit Component:Sauce:Tool Overview for Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Cooking Method
Prepare the Chicken
Grab those chicken thighs and slice them into bite-sized chunks that’ll look perfect on a skewer. Each piece should be about 1-inch square, making them easy to wrap and grill.
Bacon Prep
Unwrap your bacon strips and stretch them gently. Cut each strip into halves or thirds depending on their length. These will become the crispy wrap for your chicken pieces.
Skewer Assembly
Time to create your flavor combination! Grab your wooden skewers and start building a delicious pattern:
Repeat this sequence until your skewers are loaded with goodness. Make sure each chicken piece gets a cozy bacon blanket.
Marinate the Skewers
Place your assembled skewers in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour 1/2 cup of teriyaki sauce over the skewers, making sure they’re well coated. Save about 1/4 cup of sauce for later. Cover the dish and let it chill in the refrigerator for 4 to 8 hours.
Prepare the Grill
Fire up your grill and heat it to a steady 375°F. This temperature will help crisp the bacon and cook the chicken perfectly.
Grill to Perfection
Carefully place your marinated skewers on the grill grates. Brush with the reserved teriyaki sauce. Grill for 7 minutes, then flip each skewer. Add another layer of sauce and continue grilling for another 7 minutes.
Check for Doneness
Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the bacon looks crispy and golden. Remove from the grill and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
What Are The Best Tips For Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Sauce Variations
Easy Ways to Serve Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
How to Store Teriyaki Chicken Skewers
Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Common Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs work great in this recipe. They’re often more tender and flavorful, which makes your skewers extra delicious.
Do I need to soak wooden skewers before grilling?
Yes, always soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling. This prevents them from burning and catching fire on the hot grill.
What if I don’t have a grill?
No problem! You can cook these skewers in the oven at 425ºF on a lined baking sheet. Just make sure to turn them halfway through cooking to get crispy bacon.
Can I make these skewers ahead of time?
Definitely! You can assemble the skewers and marinate them up to a day in advance. Keep them covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to grill.
Is there a low-sodium teriyaki sauce option?
Several brands make reduced-sodium teriyaki sauce. Look for options in the Asian section of your grocery store or make your own with less salt.
Bacon Wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 29 minutes to 8 hours 29 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Grilling teriyaki chicken skewers delivers pure summer flavor straight to your plate. Glazed with sweet-tangy sauce and charred to perfection, these tender bites will become your backyard barbecue favorite.
Ingredients
Main Proteins:
- 1 lb chicken thighs
- 8 oz bacon strips
Fruits and Vegetables:
- 1 fresh pineapple
Sauces and Seasonings:
- ¾ cup teriyaki sauce
Instructions
- Cut 1 lb chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes, ensuring uniform sizing for even cooking.
- Slice 8 oz bacon strips lengthwise into halves or thirds, creating thin bacon ribbons.
- Chop 1 fresh pineapple into similar-sized chunks matching chicken cube dimensions.
- Assemble skewers by wrapping each chicken cube with a bacon slice, alternating between two bacon-wrapped chicken pieces and one pineapple chunk.
- Pour ½ cup teriyaki sauce over assembled skewers in a 9×13 inch baking dish, reserving ¼ cup for later brushing.
- Refrigerate skewers for 4-6 hours, allowing marinade to penetrate and tenderize the meat.
- Preheat outdoor grill to 375°F, creating medium-high heat zones.
- Place skewers directly on clean grill grates, maintaining consistent heat distribution.
- Grill for 7 minutes on first side, brushing with reserved teriyaki sauce.
- Flip skewers, baste again with sauce, and continue grilling another 7 minutes.
- Confirm chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature using a meat thermometer.
- Remove skewers, letting them rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to retain juiciness.
Notes
- Cut chicken into uniform chunks so each piece cooks evenly and looks great on the skewer.
- Stretch bacon gently before wrapping to help it adhere smoothly around chicken pieces.
- Marinate skewers for the full 4-8 hours to develop deep, rich teriyaki flavor that penetrates the meat.
- Watch your grill temperature carefully to ensure bacon crisps without burning and chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 371 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 105 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.