Honey Garlic Asian Chicken Kabobs Recipe
Introduction
These Honey Garlic Asian Chicken Kabobs offer a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors that will elevate your grilling game. Marinated to tender perfection and charred on the grill, they’re a delicious treat perfect for any occasion. Ready in just under three hours with mostly hands-off time, these kabobs are sure to impress.

Ingredients
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine oyster sauce, ketchup, honey, chili garlic sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, grated ginger, and 1 tablespoon of water. Reserve 1/3 cup of this mixture and set aside for glazing later.
- Step 2: Place the remaining sauce and chicken chunks into a gallon-size Ziploc bag or large bowl. Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours, turning occasionally to coat evenly.
- Step 3: Drain the chicken from the marinade and thread the pieces onto skewers. Brush the skewers with canola oil and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Step 4: Preheat your grill to medium heat, ensuring the grates are clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
- Step 5: Place the skewers on the grill and cook, turning occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, about 10 minutes.
- Step 6: During the last 1–2 minutes of grilling, brush the reserved oyster sauce mixture over the kabobs to create a flavorful glaze.
- Step 7: Remove the kabobs from the grill and serve immediately, garnished with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired.
Tips & Variations
- For extra tenderness, marinate the chicken overnight in the refrigerator.
- Substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat, adjusting cooking time to avoid drying out.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before grilling to prevent burning.
- Add bell peppers, onions, or pineapple chunks to the skewers for colorful, flavorful variety.
- If you like a bit more heat, increase the chili garlic sauce or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the marinade.
Storage
Store any leftover cooked kabobs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them gently in the oven at 350°F until heated through or quickly on a grill pan over medium heat to retain some crispness. Avoid microwaving to keep the chicken tender and flavorful.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?
It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken for even marinating and cooking. Using frozen chicken may result in uneven cooking and affect the texture.
What can I use if I don’t have oyster sauce?
If you don’t have oyster sauce, you can substitute with hoisin sauce or a combination of soy sauce and a little bit of honey or brown sugar to mimic the sweet and savory flavor.
PrintHoney Garlic Asian Chicken Kabobs Recipe
Delicious Honey Garlic Asian Chicken Kabobs featuring tender chicken thighs marinated in a flavorful blend of oyster sauce, honey, chili garlic sauce, and aromatic ginger and garlic. Grilled to perfection and garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh green onions, these kabobs are perfect for a savory and sweet Asian-inspired meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes (including marinating time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Marinade Ingredients
- 1/4 cup oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon water
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together oyster sauce, ketchup, honey, chili garlic sauce, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, grated ginger, and 1 tablespoon of water. Set aside 1/3 cup of this mixture for basting later.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken chunks in a large Ziploc bag or bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Seal the bag or cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 8 hours, turning occasionally to evenly marinate.
- Prepare skewers: Remove chicken from the marinade and thread the pieces onto skewers. Brush the kabobs with canola oil, then season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Preheat the grill: Heat your grill to medium heat, ensuring it’s hot enough to cook the chicken evenly without burning.
- Grill the kabobs: Place the skewers on the grill. Cook, turning occasionally, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and is fully cooked, about 10 minutes total. During the last 1-2 minutes, brush the skewers with the reserved marinade to enhance the flavor.
- Garnish and serve: Remove kabobs from the grill and immediately garnish with thinly sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot for best flavor.
Notes
- Soaking wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes prior to threading chicken can prevent them from burning on the grill.
- For extra smoky flavor, char the grill grates slightly before cooking.
- Adjust chili garlic sauce quantity based on your preferred heat level.
- Chicken thighs provide more moisture and flavor compared to breasts; however, breasts can be used if preferred.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
Keywords: Honey garlic chicken kabobs, Asian chicken skewers, grilled chicken kabobs, honey garlic chicken, grilled Asian chicken

