Name: Sweet Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 tbsp sesame oil; 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced; 1 tsp minced ginger; 3 tbsp dark soy sauce; 3 tbsp honey; 2 chicken breasts (approx 350g/12.5 oz) chopped into bite sized pieces; 1 red bell pepper chopped into large chunks; 1 onion peeled and sliced into squares; 1 tbsp sesame seeds; small bunch of coriander/cilantro roughly torn

If you love that perfect balance of sweet and savory, you’re going to be obsessed with this Sweet Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers Recipe. These skewers feature tender chicken pieces marinated in a luscious honey, garlic, and soy blend, grilled until juicy and flavorful – absolutely dinner-party worthy!

There are five wooden skewers laid diagonally on a white oval plate, each skewer filled with grilled pieces of golden brown chicken with dark grill marks, red bell pepper chunks, and light yellow onion slices, all sprinkled with small white sesame seeds and green chopped cilantro leaves. There are small pools of sauce and some cilantro leaves scattered on the plate. In the top right corner, a round white plate holds a fresh salad made of sliced green cucumbers, thin red onion strips, radish slices, chopped green beans, and red chili rings. The background shows a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Sweet Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Sweet Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have made these honey garlic chicken skewers countless times, and each bite reminds me why they’re a staple in my kitchen. Whether you’re a grill pro or a weekday warrior, this recipe is straightforward, fun to make, and always impresses.

Simple marinade: Just six ingredients that pack a punch in flavor and come together in minutes.
Perfectly tender chicken: Marinating for an hour ensures juicy, flavor-packed bites every time.
Great for any cookout: Whether on a BBQ or griddle, these skewers cook evenly and quickly.
Customizable veggies: Swap in your favorites like mushrooms or pineapple to keep things fun.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When shopping for this recipe, look for fresh chicken breasts for best texture and quality. The marinade ingredients are classic pantry staples but bring big flavor, and picking bright, sturdy veggies will help your skewers shine.

Flat lay of two raw chicken breasts chopped into bite-sized pieces, a whole fresh red bell pepper cut into large chunks, a peeled onion sliced into squares, two peeled garlic cloves, a small piece of fresh ginger root sliced, a small bunch of bright green coriander leaves roughly torn, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden honey, a small white ceramic bowl with dark soy sauce, a small white ceramic bowl holding amber vegetable oil, a small white ceramic bowl containing sesame oil, and a small white ceramic bowl with white sesame seeds, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Vegetable oil: Helps blend the marinade ingredients and keeps the chicken moist.
Sesame oil: Adds a toasty, nutty depth that complements the sweetness of honey beautifully.
Garlic: Freshly minced for that punch of aromatic flavor that’s key here.
Ginger: Just a touch adds brightness and a subtle warmth to balance the honey and soy.
Dark soy sauce: Provides salty umami richness that brings everything together.
Honey: The star sweetener that caramelizes slightly during grilling for that irresistible glaze.
Chicken breasts: Clean, skinless, and chopped into bite-sized pieces for grilling ease.
Red bell pepper: Adds a pop of color and sweetness to the skewers.
Onion: Sliced into squares, offering a mild sharpness that softens when grilled.
Sesame seeds: Sprinkled on after cooking for a lovely crunch and visual appeal.
Coriander/Cilantro: Fresh leaves add a herbaceous brightness to finish the dish beautifully.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The beauty of this Sweet Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers Recipe is how flexible it is—feel free to tweak the vegetables, spices, or even the cooking method to suit your taste or what you have on hand. Each variation brings its own unique twist to this delightful dish!

Vegetable swaps: I love switching out the red bell pepper and onion for mushrooms or juicy pineapple chunks when I want a touch of sweetness and a tropical hint—adds such fun contrast!
Spice it up: On days I’m craving a little heat, a splash of sriracha or a pinch of chili flakes in the marinade turns these skewers into a mouth-tingling treat.
Make it kid-friendly: If your little ones don’t fancy ginger, you can simply reduce or omit it—the sweet honey and garlic flavors are often a big hit anyway.
Meal prep magic: Marinating the chicken the night before really amps up the flavor, making weeknight dinners a breeze with minimal effort.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sweet Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers Recipe

The image shows several grilled skewers on a white plate, each skewer with three main layers repeated: large chunks of dark brown grilled chicken with char marks and a shiny glaze, bright red bell pepper pieces with a smooth texture, and translucent white onion layers with light browning. Each skewer is sprinkled with white sesame seeds and small green cilantro leaves. The background is a white marbled surface, and light sauce drips are visible on the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whisk Together the Flavor-Packed Marinade

Start by combining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 teaspoon minced ginger, 3 tablespoons dark soy sauce, and 3 tablespoons honey in a small bowl. Whisk them well until you have a luscious, well-blended marinade that’s just begging to infuse your chicken with sweet and savory goodness.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken for Maximum Flavor

Place the chopped chicken breasts (about 350 grams) in a bowl and pour over three-quarters of your marinade, saving the rest for brushing later. Cover it up and pop it in the fridge for 1 hour, letting those flavors sink deep into the meat. This marinating time is key to ensuring each bite is tender and packed with flavor.

Step 3: Prep Your Skewers and Heat the Grill

If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them for at least 30 minutes in water to avoid burning. When ready to cook, fire up your BBQ or griddle and get it smoking hot—that high heat will give you that irresistible char and caramelization on your chicken.

Step 4: Thread the Skewers with Love and Color

Alternately thread a piece of marinated chicken, a big chunk of red bell pepper, another chicken piece, and a square of onion on each skewer. Keep layering until all your skewers are full, and discard any leftover marinade to keep things safe and tasty.

Step 5: Grill to Perfection and Brush with More Marinade

Place your skewers on the hot grill or griddle and cook for 8 to 10 minutes total. Turn them at least 3 to 4 times so every side gets beautifully charred. When you hit the halfway point, generously brush them with the reserved marinade to boost that glossy, sticky, finger-licking flavor. To be sure they’re done, slice into the largest piece of chicken—you want it white and juicy with no pink at all.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve Immediately

Once off the grill, sprinkle your skewers with 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds and roughly torn fresh coriander. Serve them hot alongside a crisp salad, fragrant rice, or your favorite potatoes for a complete and satisfying meal everyone will rave about.

Top Tip

Getting the most out of your Sweet Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers Recipe means paying attention to a few key details. These tips come from hands-on experience and will help you achieve tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked skewers every time.

Marinate Thoroughly: Allowing the chicken to marinate for the full 1 hour really lets the flavors of honey, garlic, and soy sauce soak in deep, making every bite deliciously juicy.
Turn Frequently: Turning the skewers 3 to 4 times during the 8-10 minutes of cooking ensures even grilling and prevents burning—a trick I learned after some early unevenly cooked batches!
Reserve and Brush Marinade: Don’t throw away that reserved marinade — brushing it halfway through grilling keeps the chicken moist and builds up that gorgeous sticky glaze.
Soak Wooden Skewers: If you’re using wooden skewers, soak them for at least 30 minutes to avoid flare-ups and burning. Metal skewers work great too, but don’t skip this step with wood.

How to Serve Sweet Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers Recipe

The image shows several wooden skewers placed closely side by side in a white dish with dark brown sauce. Each skewer is loaded with layers of marinated raw meat that appear shiny and moist, with colors ranging from light pink to dark brown due to the marinade. The meat pieces are folded and stacked unevenly on the sticks, showing some texture and slight translucence. The dark brown sauce pools around the base of the skewers, creating a rich backdrop that enhances the glistening look of the marinated meat. The whole setup rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate these skewers, sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the top for a subtle crunch and nutty aroma. Adding fresh coriander (cilantro) right before serving adds a bright, herbal freshness that beautifully balances the sweet and savory marinade.

Side Dishes

These skewers pair wonderfully with fluffy steamed rice or fragrant coconut rice for an easy and satisfying meal. If you want something heartier, Greek-style roasted potatoes tossed with lemon and oregano are a fantastic match. For a lighter option, a crisp green salad or grilled vegetables complement the rich flavors perfectly.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cooked skewers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. They make a quick and tasty addition to salads or wraps when served cold.

Freezing

You can freeze the raw marinated chicken pieces before threading them onto skewers. Place them in a sealed freezer bag for up to 1 month. When ready to cook, thaw fully overnight in the fridge before threading and grilling.

Reheating

To reheat cooked skewers, warm them gently in a preheated oven at 160°C (320°F) for 10-15 minutes or grill briefly on medium heat until warmed through. Avoid microwaving as it can dry out the chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully with this marinade and grilling method. They tend to stay more tender and juicy. Just chop them into bite-sized pieces as you would the breasts, and keep the same marinating and cooking times.

How do I know when the chicken skewers are fully cooked?

The safest way is to slice open the largest chicken piece and check that there is no pink in the middle. The chicken should be opaque and cooked through, which usually happens within 8-10 minutes over a very hot BBQ or griddle.

Can I add vegetables other than bell peppers and onions?

Yes! Feel free to substitute with mushrooms, courgette chunks, red onions, or even pineapple for a sweet twist. Just make sure the pieces are sized similarly so they cook evenly alongside the chicken.

Is it possible to make this recipe spicy?

Definitely. To add heat, stir in some sriracha, chili powder, or chili flakes into the marinade. Start with a small amount and adjust to your preferred spice level.

Final Thoughts

Sweet Honey Garlic Chicken Skewers are a vibrant blend of flavors that are easy enough for a weeknight dinner yet impressive enough for entertaining. With a little patience during marinating and careful grilling, you’ll be rewarded with tender, juicy chicken kissed by honey’s sweetness and garlicky warmth. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this recipe as much as I’ve enjoyed perfecting it. Happy grilling!