Apricot Ginger Chicken Skewers

Apricot and Ginger Glazed Chicken Skewers are a sweet and savory grilled chicken recipe made with chicken breast, apricot preserves, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ground ginger. The chicken is seasoned, skewered, grilled until juicy, and finished with an apricot ginger sauce that gives these skewers their flavorful finish.

I made these for dinner one night, and my husband immediately asked for them again. So they are 100% family approved! I have posted a ton of different chicken recipes here, but these are a standout winner for grilling.

WHY YOU’LL KEEP THESE CHICKEN SKEWERS ON REPEAT

What I love most about this recipe is that it doesn’t require a long ingredient list to deliver huge flavor. It’s the perfect recipe when you are tired of standard barbecue or teriyaki sauces.

The glaze is the absolute star of this dish with a simple stovetop reduction that’s not difficult to make at all. The end result – flavor that lands somewhere between sweet, tangy, and lightly savory, with an amazing Asian inspired feel thanks to the ginger and soy sauce. Each bite has a delicious sticky, caramelized finish.

KEY INGREDIENTS

Here are a few expert tips on the ingredients and prep so your chicken turns out perfectly juicy every time.

• The Chicken – Boneless skinless chicken breast works well here because it cooks quickly and gives the glaze plenty of surface area to cling to.
• Apricot Preserves – give the sauce body and sweetness. If your preserves are especially thick, the glaze will naturally be a little stickier. If they are looser, the sauce may be a little lighter but still flavorful. You can use jam instead, but preserves usually give the sauce a thicker texture.
• Ground ginger – keeps this recipe easy and pantry-friendly. It gives the glaze that warm ginger flavor without needing any extra prep.
• Soy sauce, garlic, honey, and apple cider vinegar balance everything out, especially the sweetness.

GRILL PREP TIPS

• Prepping Chicken: Try to cut the chicken into similar size pieces so the skewers cook more evenly. If some pieces are much smaller than others, they will dry out before the rest of the skewer is done.
• Soak Your Skewers: If you are using wooden skewers, soak them before threading the chicken so they are less likely to burn on the grill.
• Marinade: Give the chicken enough time to marinate if you can. Even a quick marinade helps, but a longer marinade gives the seasoning more time to work into the chicken.
• Take the Chill Off: Before throwing your skewers on the grill, let the marinated chicken sit at room temperature for five to ten minutes. Going straight from a cold fridge to a hot grill can cause the meat to seize up and cook unevenly.

ACHIEVING THE PERFECT APRICOT GINGER GLAZE

• When heating this on the stove, you are looking for the ingredients to melt together into a smooth glossy sauce – not watery.
• It should easily coat the back of a spoon.
• Keep a close eye on it. You want it warmed and blended, not boiling! A lower heat setting will help with this.

SERVING IDEAS

Because the glaze is so flavorful, these skewers pair best with simple sides that won’t compete for attention.

• Rice: A bed of steamed white or jasmine rice is perfect for catching any extra sticky sauce that drips off the chicken.
• Veggies: Keep it light and summery with a side of grilled vegetables (like zucchini or bell peppers) or a crisp, cold cucumber salad to balance the sweetness of the apricot.

EASY WAYS TO CHANGE IT UP

The glaze itself is flexible enough to fit different meals, which is one reason this recipe is easy to come back to.

Swap the Cut of Meat: If you prefer dark meat, you can easily swap the chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They are naturally richer and hold up incredibly well when cooking with high heat such as using a grill.

Spice it Up: For a spicier version, add a little heat to the glaze with red pepper flakes or a spoonful of chili garlic sauce.

Make it a Bowl: Slide the cooked chicken off the skewers and serve it directly over rice and steamed broccoli for an easy weeknight “takeout at home” bowl.

STORAGE & REHEATING TIPS

Grilled chicken can dry out quickly, so proper storage is key!

• To Store: Keep leftover skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If you have any extra apricot glaze, store it in a separate small container.
• To Reheat: Warm the chicken gently in the microwave or oven just until heated through. Blasting it with high heat will make the chicken tough. Spoon a little of your leftover glaze over the top before reheating can help freshen it back up.

MORE GRILLING RECIPES

If you enjoy easy grilled chicken dinners, my Greek Chicken Pesto Skewers are another great option with a fresh herby flavor that’s great for summer meals.

For another fast skewer recipe, try my Grilled Shrimp Skewers, which are perfect when you want something light, flavorful, and quick to get on the table. They’re marinated in Cajun type marinade that’s just out of this world!

GRILLING RECIPES

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