JapaneseMedium · Hot
Tender chicken thighs marinated in a bold soy-ginger glaze, threaded on skewers and grilled until caramelized, served alongside tangy quick-pickled radish for brightness and crunch. Meal-prep friendly: components hold well separately for grab-and-go lunches.
15 min
12 min
27 min
Method
In a glass jar or container with a lid, combine sliced radish, rice vinegar, salt, and white sugar. Seal and shake until sugar and salt dissolve, about 30 seconds.
Set aside at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to pickle. (Refrigerate up to 1 week.)
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for maximum flavor penetration.
If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 20 minutes to prevent burning. Thread 4-5 chicken pieces onto each skewer, leaving small gaps between pieces for even cooking.
Brush the grill grates or a broiler pan with sunflower oil. Preheat grill or broiler to medium-high heat (approximately 200-220°C).
Nutri-Score
Fair balance
A–E · lower is better · score 4
Calories
478
per serving
Protein
46g
Carbs
9g
Fat
28g
Sat. fat
6g
Fiber
2g
Sugar
8g
Sodium
1327mg
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
Environmental impact
Moderate impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
1.8
per serving
Water
0.5m³
Land
64Pt
Runoff
0.2g P
Chicken thighs, boneless skinless, cut into 1.5-inch pieces drives 94% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
Umami
Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Spicy
Textures
Aromas
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
GrillTechniques
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Cook chicken skewers to internal temperature of 74°C (165°F). Use a meat thermometer at the thickest point to verify doneness before serving.
Cross Contamination
Never reuse marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken. Reserve a portion before marinating if you plan to use it as a sauce.
Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw chicken and ready-to-eat foods like pickled radish and garnish.
Storage
Store marinated chicken in refrigerator at or below 4°C (40°F). Use within 1-2 days of marinating for optimal quality and safety.
Keep pickled radish refrigerated in a sealed container for up to 1 week. Store cooked chicken separately from pickles to prevent cross-flavor absorption.
Handling
Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 20 minutes before grilling to prevent burning and charring.
High Risk Population
Poultry is a high-risk food for bacterial contamination. Pregnant individuals, young children, elderly, and immunocompromised persons should ensure chicken is cooked to proper temperature.
Shelf Life
Cooked chicken skewers can be stored in refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2-3 months. Reheat to 74°C before consuming.
Pro Tips
Make Ahead
The chicken marinates beautifully overnight, so threading and grilling on Sunday means you can portion cooled skewers into containers with a side of drained pickled radish for zero-effort lunches all week.
Substitution
Swap the radish for thinly sliced daikon or red onion if you want a mellower pickle that still delivers that bright crunch against the rich soy-ginger glaze.
From the chef
Sunday afternoons are my ritual: I prep the marinade, thread the skewers, and pickle the radish in under 15 minutes flat. By the time Wednesday hits and I’m running on fumes, these skewers reheat perfectly on a sheet pan while the pickled radish stays crisp and tangy in its liquid — lunch is literally grab and go.
Source: generated · June 13, 2026