Grilled Sesame Chicken Kabobs are a fun & healthier version of our favorite Chinese take out chicken recipe. Easy, delicious, and juicy chicken.
The theme for this grilling season in the McCollum house is: Summer of the kabobs!
This is for a few simple reasons: Healthy. Easy. Quick. Variety. Yummy & fun to eat for all ages!
Our favorite Chinese food is sesame chicken, so here is a grilled & healthier version.
Enjoy! XOXO San
How do you make Grilled Sesame Chicken Kabobs?
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Combine the soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, honey, ginger, onions, lime juice, sesame oil and sesame seeds to make a marinade. Pour marinade into Ziplock bag, add chicken tenders and mix around so that all pieces of the chicken are covered in the marinade.
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Set in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours, I like to make this in the morning before the kids get up and then let is marinate all day…ah-mazing!
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If you are using metal skewers skip this part, if you are using wood skewers follow the directions below. I know there is a debate about whether or not to soak your skewers and to each their own. But I soak mine, I have found that I get fewer wood pieces in the chicken and they don’t go up in flames.
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I completely soak my skewers for 30 minutes, sometimes accidentally longer. Make sure the entire stick is completely dredged in water. Once they have soaked, remove and start to assemble the skewers.
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Take the chicken and one piece at a time, lace them through the skewer starting at the larger end of the chicken. You can also just slide the entire tender on the skewer if you’d like. Once completed drizzle extra marinade over the chicken, and let it sit while grill is heating up.
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Heat gas or charcoal grill, remove chicken from marinade. Place chicken on grill over medium heat. Cover grill and cook 3 minutes, then turn over the kabob and cook another 3 minutes. At this point check the chicken. To know if the chicken is done the juices should be clear and the center of thickest part is cut (170°F). If not done, continue to cook, at this point I leave the lid open and just turn the kabobs so they are cooked evenly on both sides. My chicken takes about 8-10 minutes.
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Remove from grill and serve immediately.
Love grilling chicken kabobs? Try Southwestern Barbecue Chicken Kabobs, Maple Barbecue Chicken Kabobs, and Balsamic Mustard Chicken Kabobs.
Don’t forget to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board to save for later!
Grilled Sesame Chicken Kabobs
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken tenders
- 4 garlic cloves peeled & crushed
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger peeled and grated
- 4 medium green onions chopped
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 4-6 sprigs fresh cilantro garnish.
- 1/2 lime juiced (other 1/2 quartered and reserved for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
Marinade
- Combine the soy sauce, garlic, vinegar, honey, ginger, onions, lime juice, sesame oil and sesame seeds to make a marinade. Pour marinade into Ziplock bag, add chicken tenders and mix around so that all pieces of the chicken are covered in the marinade.
- Set in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours, I like to make this in the morning before the kids get up and then let is marinate all day…ah-mazing!
- If you are using metal skewers skip this part, if you are using wood skewers follow the directions below. I know there is a debate whether or not to soak your skewers and to each their own. But I soak mine, I have found that I get less wood pieces in the chicken and they don’t go up in flames.
- I completely soak my skewers for 30 minutes, sometimes accidentally longer. Make sure the entire stick is completely dredge in water. Once they have soaked, remove and start to assemble the skewers.
Kabobs:
- Take the chicken and one piece at a time, lace them through the skewer starting at the larger end of the chicken. You can also just slide the entire tender on the skewer if you’d like. Once completed drizzle extra marinade over the chicken, and let it sit while grill is heating up.
- Heat gas or charcoal grill, remove chicken from marinade. Place chicken on grill over medium heat. Cover grill and cook 3 minutes, then turn over the kabob and cook another 3 minutes. At this point check the chicken. To know if the chicken is done the juices should be clear and the center of thickest part is cut (170°F). If not done, continue to cook, at this point I leave the lid open and just turn the kabobs so they are cooked evenly on both sides. My chicken takes about 8-10 minutes.
- Remove from grill and serve immediately.
Notes
These look delicious! I’ve saved the recipe and plan to make it for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for saving it, and have fun making the kabobs! xo San
I tested it yesterday. It was delicious. Thanks for recipe
Thanks so much for coming back to comments, it means a lot. So happy you enjoyed it. San
Just pinned! The marinade itself will make this a keeper for my family.
Can you bake or stove top cook these? Don’t have a grill but really want to try them
Hi Alanna! While we have not tried baking them, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work! For best browning I’d try roasting them in a roasting pan on a rack at 425, following the same steps as grilling. Just be sure to check the temperature to be sure you don’t overcook them! Another option would be to cut into smaller pieces and cook in a hot skillet until they’re cooked through. Let us know what you try!