Chicken
Small-Space Chicken Teriyaki Skewers
Teriyaki skewers are one of the best entry points to balcony grilling because they cook fast, scale down to two people naturally, and do not demand a lot of grill real estate. A 12-inch skewer fits on almost any compact electric grill, and the high sugar content of teriyaki glaze means you get attractive caramelization even at moderate temperatures. The only technique detail that really matters is when you apply the glaze. Brush it on too early and the sugar burns before the chicken cooks through. Wait until the last 2 minutes and it thickens into a glossy lacquer without scorching. This is the same principle that separates restaurant teriyaki from the stuff people burn at home.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut in 1-inch cubes
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water
- Sliced scallions and sesame seeds for garnish
- 8 bamboo skewers, soaked 20 minutes
Instructions
- 01
Simmer soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic in a small saucepan for 3 minutes. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook 60 seconds more until it thickens into glaze consistency. Set aside.
- 02
Thread the chicken cubes onto skewers, 6-8 per skewer, with a little space between each piece so they cook evenly on all sides.
- 03
Preheat your small-space electric grill to 425F.
- 04
Grill skewers 3 minutes per side, flipping twice, until internal temp hits 165F.
- 05
In the last 2 minutes, brush generously with the teriyaki glaze and let it caramelize.
- 06
Garnish with scallions and sesame seeds and serve over rice.
Pro Tips
From our kitchen
- ★Thighs beat breasts for skewers because they stay juicy even at 165F. Breast meat dries out by the time the glaze has caramelized.
- ★Make a double batch of glaze. It keeps in the fridge for two weeks and turns any protein into a teriyaki dinner in under 30 minutes.
- ★If your balcony grill surface is small like the Weber Lumin Compact, use shorter 6-inch skewers to fit more on the grate at once.
We recommend for this recipe
Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill
The Weber Lumin Compact Electric Grill's 194 sq in surface and smoke infusion capability and 600°f searing heat make it our pick for this recipe.
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