Ingredient Honey Garlic Chicken with a Sticky Savory Glaze

Name: Easy Grilled Asian Chicken Skewers with Honey Garlic Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 1 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes; bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes; ¼ cup butter; 4 cloves garlic, minced; ½ cup honey; ¼ cup apple cider vinegar; ¼ cup soy sauce; ¼ cup brown sugar; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; ¼ cup water

By:

Ruby Bennett

Published:

August 2, 2026

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

What Are Grilled Asian Chicken Skewers with Honey Garlic Sauce?

Grilled Asian chicken skewers with honey garlic sauce are one of those weeknight dinners that feel a little bit special without asking for much from the cook.

Tender cubes of chicken breast are threaded onto bamboo skewers, then brushed with a glossy honey garlic butter sauce that caramelizes over the heat. The result is sweet, savory, and tangy all at once, with juicy chicken inside and lightly charred edges outside.

Ingredient Honey Garlic Chicken, What Are Grilled Asian Chicken Skewers with Honey Garlic Sauce

What I love about this style of recipe is how flexible it is. You can fire up the grill for a backyard cookout, slide the skewers under the broiler when the weather does not cooperate, or roast them in the oven on a sheet pan.

The sauce pulls double duty as both a glaze during cooking and a dipping sauce on the side, so every bite stays sticky and flavorful.

These skewers are perfect for a quick family dinner, a casual party appetizer, or a summer BBQ spread. You can feed a crowd by doubling the batch, and leftovers reheat well for lunch the next day. If you are looking for an easy chicken recipe that delivers big flavor with pantry staples, this one checks every box.

For another take on the same flavor profile, you might also enjoy my honey garlic chicken skewers roundup or my weeknight friendly honey garlic chicken breasts recipe.

Jump to:

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe works because it strips cooking down to the essentials. The ingredient list is short, the steps are straightforward, and almost everything is probably already sitting in your pantry. Butter, garlic, honey, soy sauce, and brown sugar are common staples, and chicken breast is one of the most widely available proteins at any grocery store.

Another reason it works is the choice of cooking method. Grilling gives you smoky char and fast cooking, while oven baking plus a short broil gives you that same sticky glaze without needing outdoor space. You can switch between the two depending on the season, your equipment, or your mood, and the sauce behaves the same way either way.

The recipe is also easy to customize. You can thread vegetables between the chicken pieces, swap the protein, or adjust the sweetener to match your diet. That kind of flexibility makes it a reliable choice for family dinners, party appetizers, and summer BBQs, whether you are cooking for picky eaters or adventurous food lovers.

Ingredients Overview

The ingredient list is divided into two simple groups: the chicken skewers themselves and the honey garlic sauce that brings everything together.

Each component plays a clear role in the final flavor and texture.

Chicken Skewers

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes

The chicken breast gives you a lean protein base that cooks quickly and stays tender when cut into evenly sized cubes. Soaking the bamboo skewers prevents them from burning on the grill or in the oven.

Honey Garlic Sauce

1/4 cup butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup water

Butter adds richness and carries the sauce flavors. Garlic brings the strong aromatic base that defines the dish. Honey and brown sugar layer sweetness, while apple cider vinegar cuts through with a bright acidic note. Soy sauce contributes salty umami depth, and the cornstarch slurry thickens everything into a glossy glaze that clings to the chicken.

Ingredient	Role in the Recipe
Chicken breast	Lean protein base
Butter	Richness and flavor carrier
Garlic	Aromatic backbone
Honey	Sweet balance
Apple cider vinegar	Bright acidity
Soy sauce	Salty umami depth
Brown sugar	Molasses like sweetness
Cornstarch	Thickens the glaze
Water	Adjusts sauce consistency

How to Make It

The method is split into two parts: making the honey garlic sauce and cooking the skewers. You can grill or bake depending on what works best for you.

Make the Sauce

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Whisk in the honey, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, and brown sugar, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Dissolve the cornstarch in the water, stir it into the sauce, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until thickened and glossy.
Remove from heat and set aside.

Grill Method

Preheat the grill to medium high heat.
Thread the chicken cubes onto the soaked skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece for even cooking.
Grill the skewers for 5 to 7 minutes per side, until the chicken is fully cooked and lightly charred.
Brush the honey garlic sauce over the chicken during the last few minutes of cooking.
Let the skewers rest briefly, then serve with extra sauce on the side.

Oven Method

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Thread the chicken onto skewers and arrange them on the sheet.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Brush with sauce and broil for 2 to 3 minutes to create a sticky glaze.
Rest briefly and serve with extra sauce.

Tip: Always brush the sauce on near the end of cooking. Honey and brown sugar darken fast over direct heat, so adding the glaze too early can scorch it.

For more honey garlic inspiration, you can also browse this well loved honey garlic chicken recipe from Allrecipes.

Substitutions and Variations

This recipe is built to bend with whatever you have on hand. Here are the swaps I recommend most often.

Chicken thighs instead of breast: Thighs are more forgiving on the grill and stay extra juicy. Cut them the same way and follow the same timing.
Tofu for a vegetarian version: Use extra firm tofu pressed dry, then thread it onto soaked skewers and follow the oven method to keep it from sticking.
Tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce: Both work as a direct swap for a gluten free version with a slightly different sweetness profile.
Maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey: Either sweetener blends in smoothly and keeps the glaze sticky and glossy.

You can also slide vegetables onto the skewers between the chicken pieces. Bell peppers, red onion, and zucchini all grill beautifully and turn the skewers into a more complete meal. If you want even more ideas, this easy honey garlic chicken roundup from Damn Delicious is full of weeknight inspiration.

Expert Tips, Storage, and FAQ

What is honey garlic chicken made of?

Honey garlic chicken is usually made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts and a sweet-savory glaze built from butter, fresh garlic, honey, apple cider vinegar, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and water. In this recipe, the chicken is cut into 1-inch cubes and threaded onto soaked bamboo skewers before cooking. The sauce is brushed on near the end so it stays glossy without burning.

How do you cook honey garlic chicken skewers on the grill?

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and cook the skewers for 5 to 7 minutes per side. Brush on the honey garlic sauce during the last few minutes so it caramelizes without scorching. The chicken should be fully cooked and lightly charred at the edges before serving.

Can you bake honey garlic chicken skewers instead of grilling them?

Yes, this recipe also works in the oven. Bake the skewers at 400°F for 20 minutes, then brush them with sauce and broil for 2 to 3 minutes to create a glaze. Lining the baking sheet with parchment paper makes cleanup easier.

How do you keep honey garlic sauce from burning or getting too thick?

Cook the sauce over medium heat and simmer it just long enough for the cornstarch to thicken it, about 2 to 3 minutes. Because honey and brown sugar darken quickly, add the sauce near the end of cooking rather than at the start. If it gets too thick, stir in a small splash of water; if it seems thin, let it simmer a little longer.

Ingredient Honey Garlic Chicken with a Sticky Savory Glaze

What Are Grilled Asian Chicken Skewers with Honey Garlic Sauce?

Why This Recipe Works