Erin’s Recipe Rundown
Texture: Tender, juicy chicken with crispy edges from the grill.
Taste: Savory, sweet, with the perfect hint of spice.
Ease: Surprisingly low effort for maximum impact, with minimal prep and a make-ahead marinade!
Top Tips: Let the chicken marinate at least 4 hours—the longer, the better the flavor. Be sure to soak wooden skewers for 30 mins to prevent burning.
Would I Make This Again? Absolutely. It’s a recipe I keep coming back to—simple, flavorful, and the whole family loves it.
xoxo erin
Featured Comment
From Cheryl: “Your recipe for the Honey Sesame Chicken Skewers is sooo delicious! The flavor is just amazing! I will definitely be making these a lot!”
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here are a few notes on some of the key ingredients to make these honey sesame chicken skewers. Jump to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Gluten-free soy sauce: Tamari is a great gluten-free alternative to soy sauce. For a soy-free or paleo-friendly version, try using coconut aminos instead.
- Sesame oil: This is what gives the marinade its nutty depth, so don’t skip it. Toasted sesame oil adds even more richness.
- Minced garlic and ginger: Grate fresh with a microplane to save time. Jarred versions also work, but fresh really makes the marinade pop.
- Cayenne pepper: We’re using just enough to add complexity to the flavor without making it spicy. If you like heat, add more to taste.
How to Make Honey Sesame Chicken Skewers
Here’s an overview of how to make this recipe. You can jump to the recipe for the full instructions!
1. Mix the marinade: Whisk together the soy sauce and other marinade ingredients in a small bowl until fully combined.
2. Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours—or up to 10 if you’ve got the time. The longer it sits, the more flavorful it gets.
3. Skewer it up: If you’re using wooden skewers, don’t forget to soak them in water for 30 minutes so they don’t burn. Thread the marinated chicken onto the skewers.
4. Time to cook: Grill or broil the skewers, turning once, until the chicken is golden and cooked through. Keep an eye on them! They cook fast, and you’re going for a perfect char.
You might also like this cucumber tomato salad!
Serve this with Instant Pot yellow rice and grilled vegetable skewers.
Honey Sesame Chicken Skewers
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1/3 cup gluten-free soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2-3 chicken breasts cut into 1-inch chunks
For the Vegetables:
- 1 zucchini
- 1 yellow squash
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1/2 red onion
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt I used herbamare seasoned salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients for marinade and whisk to combine. Add the chicken and marinade in for 4-10 hours. If you are using wooden skewers, be sure to soak them in warm water for at least 30 minutes before grilling.
- For the vegetables, cut them all into 1-inch pieces and place in a bowl. Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Then thread onto skewers
- Preheat an oven broiler or gas/charcoal grill. Thread the chicken onto the skewers Broil or grill the chicken and vegetable skewers for 5-8 minutes until cooked through, using nonstick cooking spray on a foil-lined pan if you are broiling. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in May 2014. It was updated with new photos and instructions in July 2025.
Your recipe for the Honey Sesame Chicken Skewers is sooo delicious! The flavor is just amazing! I will definitely be making these a lot! I tried using butternut squash for the veggie skewers, which didn’t work well – the pieces were too hard to thread onto the wooden skewers. So, I will have to try another type of squash next time. What type of yellow squash do you normally use?
Thanks so much for your awesome recipe!
Used this recipe on my George Foreman and it worked out well. I can’t wait to try this recipe on our real grill though!
How many does this recipe serve? What is the yield?
I’m not sure, but I think certain kinds of soy sauce contains gluten. Might want to double check the label if you have an intolerance.
You’re right Amanda! I went back and specified that in the recipe. Thanks for pointing that out!