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Grilled Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers on a white plate garnished with sesame seeds, herbs, and lemon wedges.
Linda

Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers

Sticky, caramelized chicken with bold gochujang heat and sweet-savory glaze, perfect for weeknight grilling or summer cookouts.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Korean
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade
  • 3 tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce low sodium preferred
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar packed
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sesame oil toasted
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger minced
For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into 1.5-inch pieces
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil for grill
For Serving
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 scallions thinly sliced

Equipment

  • 10-12 metal or bamboo skewers (soaked if bamboo)
  • Grill or Grill Pan
  • Small saucepan

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. Whisk gochujang, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger in a large bowl until smooth. Reserve 3 tablespoons of marinade in a small bowl for glazing later.
  2. Add chicken thigh pieces to the remaining marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours. The longer it sits, the deeper the flavor.
Grill the Skewers
  1. Thread 4-5 chicken pieces onto each skewer, leaving small gaps between pieces for even cooking. Let excess marinade drip off. If using bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes first to prevent burning.
  2. Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high (about 400 degrees F). Brush grates with vegetable oil. Grill skewers for 12-15 minutes total, turning every 3-4 minutes, until chicken is charred in spots and registers 165 degrees F internally.
  3. In the last 2 minutes of grilling, brush reserved marinade over the chicken. The glaze should bubble and caramelize slightly. Remove from heat and let rest 2 minutes.
  4. Transfer to a platter, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced scallions. Serve with steamed rice and quick pickled cucumbers if desired.

Notes

Chicken thighs stay juicier than breast meat on the grill, but either works. For a milder version, reduce gochujang to 2 tablespoons and add 1 tablespoon ketchup. The reserved marinade used for glazing must come from the clean portion set aside before raw chicken touches it.