Garlic chicken skewers

Whip up these mouth-watering garlic chicken skewers featuring marinated chicken thighs, garlic, red hot chili peppers, and shallots, all enhanced by mirin, sake, soy sauce, and lemon zest. Accompanied by a refreshing cucumber salad with salt, vinegar, and sesame seeds, this recipe is perfect for your next BBQ or weeknight dinner. Ready to impress your taste buds? Get the recipe now!

30 Oct 2025
Cook time 30 min
Prep time 140 min

Ingredients:

12 chicken thighs
2 garlic cloves
2 red hot chili peppers
4 shallots
1/2 cup mirin
1 tbsp sugar
1/3 cup sake
1 tsp soy sauce
2 tbsp lemon zest
2 cucumbers
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup vinegar
1 tsp sesame seeds
Garlic chicken skewers

Garlic chicken skewers are a delicious and versatile dish that can bring the vibrant flavors of street food right to your home. Made with tender chicken thighs marinated in a delightful mix of mirin, sake, soy sauce, and other flavorful ingredients, these skewers are perfect for grilling to perfection. Serve them with a refreshing cucumber salad on the side for a complete and satisfying meal.

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken Marinade:
- In a large bowl, mix the minced garlic, finely chopped red hot chili peppers, and shallots.
- Add the mirin, sugar, sake, soy sauce, and lemon zest to the bowl. Stir until well combined.
- Add the bite-sized chicken thigh pieces to the marinade, making sure each piece is well coated.
- Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight for better flavor.
2. Prepare the Cucumber Pickle:
- In a separate bowl, mix the thinly sliced cucumbers with salt. Let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out the moisture.
- After 10 minutes, rinse the cucumbers under cold water and drain well.
- In a clean bowl, combine the vinegar and toasted sesame seeds. Add the drained cucumbers and toss to coat.
- Let the mixture sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
3. Skewer and Cook the Chicken:
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a little space between each piece.
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates.
- Place the skewers on the preheated grill and cook for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until the chicken is cooked through and has nice grill marks. Adjust the cooking time as necessary depending on the thickness of the chicken pieces.
4. Serve:
- Arrange the grilled chicken skewers on a serving platter.
- Serve the skewers alongside the cucumber pickles as a refreshing side dish.
- Optionally, you can garnish the skewers with additional lemon zest or chopped fresh herbs for extra flavor and presentation.

Tips:

- For best results, marinate the chicken thighs overnight or at least for a few hours to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.

- When skewering the chicken, make sure to leave small gaps between each piece to ensure even cooking.

- Preheat your grill to a high temperature before cooking the skewers; this will help to achieve a nice char on the outside while keeping the inside juicy.

- If you don't have a grill, you can also cook these skewers under a broiler or in a grill pan on the stove.

- Serve the skewers with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for an extra burst of flavor.

- The cucumber salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge to allow the flavors to meld together.

Once you've followed these steps, you'll have delicious chicken skewers that are sure to impress your family and friends. The combination of savory marinated chicken and a tangy cucumber salad creates a delightful balance of flavors. Enjoy your homemade street food experience right from the comfort of your kitchen!

Nutrition per serving

4 Servings
Calories 780kcal
Protein 50g
Carbohydrates 20g
Fiber 2.45g
Sugar 11g
Fat 50g

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