Easy Chicken Teriyaki Kebab Marinade – Sweet, Savory and Grilled to Perfection

by | Jul 12, 2025 | Chicken, Grilling, Main Courses

Looking for a sweet, savory, and perfectly balanced marinade for your next grilling night? This Teriyaki Chicken Kebab Marinade is just what you need! Made with a blend of soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of sweet honey, it infuses chicken with bold, mouthwatering flavor that caramelizes beautifully on the grill. Whether you’re prepping for a summer BBQ or a quick weeknight dinner, this marinade is easy to make, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to impress. Fire up the grill—your new favorite chicken kebabs are just a marinade away!

The glaze caramelizes beautifully on the grill!

– Tim

Why You’ll Love This Teriyaki Chicken Kebab Marinade

  1. Sweet & Savory Balance
    The perfect blend of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sweetness creates a rich, mouthwatering flavor.
  2. Tender, Juicy Chicken
    The marinade helps lock in moisture, making every bite of chicken tender and flavorful.
  3. Grill-Ready Goodness
    It caramelizes beautifully on the grill, giving your kebabs that irresistible char and glaze.
  4. Quick & Easy to Make
    Just a few simple ingredients and a quick mix—no complicated steps required.
  5. Versatile & Family-Friendly
    Great for BBQs, weeknight dinners, or meal prep, and loved by both kids and adults.
  6. Make-Ahead Friendly
    Prep it in advance and let the flavors develop for even more delicious results.
Chicken kebabs on a plate

Teriyaki Chicken Kebabs Recipe Ingredients

  • Garlic – Adds a bold, aromatic depth that enhances the savory-sweet balance of the marinade.
  • Olive Oil – Helps carry the flavors into the chicken while keeping it moist and juicy during grilling.
  • Honey – Brings natural sweetness and helps create a beautiful caramelized glaze on the kebabs.
  • Soy Sauce – Provides a rich, salty umami base that ties all the flavors together.

How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Kebabs

Step 1

In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, honey, soy sauce, garlic and black pepper and set aside.

Step 2

Cube raw chicken and desired veggies and assembe on skewers. Be cautious not to cross-contaminate.

Step 3

Place the skewers side-by-side into a shallow pan such as a 9″ x 13″ glass baking dish.

Step 4

Pour the contents of the bowl onto the skewers and cover with a plastic wrap to seal.

Step 5

Carefully place the glass baking dish into the refrigerator for 8 hours to overnight.

Step 6

If you desire, rotate the skewers occasionally to ensure all skewers have been coated evenly in marinade.

This marinade is a summer staple. Very good.

– Helen

 Refrigerator Storage

Cool first: Let the kebabs cool to room temperature (within 2 hours of cooking).

Wrap or seal: Store them in an airtight container or wrap tightly in foil or plastic wrap.

Shelf life: They’ll stay good in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Freezer Storage

Reheating tip: Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the oven, air fryer, or on a skillet until hot (internal temp of 165°F / 74°C).

Wrap individually: Wrap each kebab in foil or plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.

Use freezer bags or containers: Place wrapped kebabs in a labeled, airtight freezer-safe bag or container.

Shelf life: Best used within 2 to 3 months for optimal flavor and texture.

When marinating raw meat, place them on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator to avoid any potential drips contaminating other foods.

Marinate Long Enough (But Not Too Long)

  • Minimum: 30 minutes
  • Ideal: 4–6 hours
  • Max: 24 hours (especially if acidic – too long can make the texture mushy)

Marinate in the Fridge

  • Always marinate in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
  • Use a zip-top bag or a glass container (avoid metal).

Skewer Smart

  • Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning.
  • Alternate veggies and meat or use separate skewers for even cooking.

Grill Like a Pro

  • Preheat the grill and oil the grates.
  • Cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally.
  • Internal temp should reach 165°F (74°C).

The Best Chicken Kebab Marinade – Get your ApronsOnPeople.com

Get your ApronsOnPeople.com and prepare "The Best Chicken Kebab Marinade"! Marinating in these ingredients creates a teriyaki-like tasting kebab. Around here, we love kebabs – they're tasty, fun and perfect for grilling. Enjoy!
For more great recipes, visit ApronsOnPeople.com
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: BBQ, chicken, Grill, Teriyaki
Author: Cheryl of ApronsOnPeople.com
Cost: $2 to $3 for marinade

Equipment

  • BBQ
  • Skewers

Ingredients

  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup olive oil (or vegetable)
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, stir together the listed ingredients to create the marinade & set aside
  • Cube raw chicken and desired veggies and assemble on skewers
  • Place the skewers side-by-side into a shallow pan such as a 9" x 13" glass baking dish
  • Pour the contents of the bowl onto the skewers and cover with a plastic wrap to seal
  • Carefully place the glass baking dish into the refrigerator for 8 hours to overnight
  • If you desire, you can rotate your skewers occasionally to ensure all skewers have been coated evenly

Notes

You will need chicken breasts and your choice of vegetables (and skewers!) for this recipe. We have marinated the meat two different ways. Pick your favourite:
  1. Submerge the bite sized chunks of chicken breasts in the marinade, cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Feed the breast pieces onto a skewer with your favourite grilling veggies.
  2. Pierce the bite sized chunks of chicken breasts and your choice of favourite grilling veggies with a skewer and place carefully in a shallow pan. Carefully pour the marinade over the skewers to ensure coverage of all contents. Rotate the skewers several times to ensure all sides come into contact with marinade for best taste.
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Hi! We’re Cheryl & Madi, mother & daughter. Here you’ll find our favorite recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. Learn more