Description
Korean Chicken Skewers deliver bold, vibrant flavors with a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory. Tender chicken thighs marinated in a traditional Korean gochujang-based sauce are grilled to caramelized perfection, making these skewers an ideal dish for BBQ nights or quick weeknight dinners. Easy to prepare and customizable in spice level, these skewers offer an authentic taste of Korean cuisine that’s sure to please any crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Bamboo skewers (soaked in water for at least 30 minutes)
Marinade
- 3 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 green onions, finely chopped
Garnishes
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- Additional chopped green onions
- Optional: chopped cilantro for freshness
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together gochujang, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and finely chopped green onions until smooth and well blended to create the flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thigh pieces to the marinade, ensuring each piece is generously coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Skewer the Chicken: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked bamboo skewers, leaving a little space between pieces for even cooking and easier grilling.
- Grill or Pan-Fry the Skewers: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Cook the skewers for about 4–5 minutes on each side until the chicken is cooked through and develops a caramelized crust. Baste occasionally with leftover marinade to enhance flavor and moisture.
- Garnish and Serve: Once cooked, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the skewers. Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors.
Notes
- Cut chicken into even bite-sized pieces for consistent cooking.
- Marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best flavor.
- Soak bamboo skewers in water at least 30 minutes before use to prevent burning.
- Cook on medium-high heat to achieve a caramelized crust without burning.
- Let cooked skewers rest a few minutes before serving to lock in juices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Korean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 3 skewers)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg