Chinese Chicken On A Stick Recipe

This Chinese chicken on a stick recipe is such a win. It’s great for a quick supper with salad and rice or as an appetizer. I love making up a batch of these and keeping them in the refrigerator for when I need a quick meal.

There are so many different ways you can cook these. Whether you have an air fryer or just an oven, you can get these cooked up.

This easy-going recipe is super tasty and can be made with just a few simple ingredients. I love how it goes with so many different sides; it’s super versatile. You’re going to love these juicy, soft, and tasty chicken sticks, that’s for sure!

What is Chinese chicken on a stick?

Succulent chicken thighs that have been marinaded in a tasty and savory sauce and then either grilled, roasted, pan-fried, or cooked in an air fryer.

They are a great protein item to serve as part of the main course, as a snack, or on a platter.

Ingredients you’ll need

Here is the list of ingredients you’ll need to make these super simple Chinese chicken sticks:

• 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs

For the marinade:

• ¾ cup soy sauce
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup Gochujang
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 1 1/2 TBS ginger, grated
• 2 TBS garlic, finely chopped
• 1 TBS sesame seeds, toasted

Chinese chicken on a stick recipe

Here are the steps on how to make these Chinese chicken sticks

Step 1:

Cut the boneless chicken thighs into strips. Keep any fat on the chicken as it keeps it lovely and moist.

Step 2:

In a large bowl, add the soy sauce, maple syrup, gochujang, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. Mix everything together well.

Step 3:

Add the chicken to the marinade and coat well. All the marinade and chicken into 2 storage bags. 

You’re going to want to squeeze out any excess air from the bags and then seal them up. Next, give the chicken pieces a little massage by moving them around with your hands.

Step 4:

Place the storage bags into the refrigerator and marinate them for up to 48 hours. They should be in there for a minimum of 24 hours. Ensure you turn them over at least once during this process.

Step 5:

When you are ready to grill the chicken (grilling is my go-to method), set the oven to 400°F. Remove the chicken from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature. Skewer the chicken meat onto clean and wet chicken sticks. Drain off the excess marinade.

Step 6:

Grill the chicken sticks for 15 minutes. Flip them over and grill for 15 minutes on the other side. Check the internal temperature – it should be at 165°F when cooked. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and dive in!

How long does it take to cook chicken on a stick?

Here are a couple of pointers specific to certain cooking methods.

1. Air fryer

Cooking your Chinese chicken sticks in an air fryer is a great way to get a healthy yet succulent result. You will need to cook them for 7-9 minutes in total in an air fryer pre-heated to 350°F. 

The chicken skewers will need to be flipped over halfway through. As with any of the cooking methods, check that the chicken’s internal temperature has reached 165°F before serving.

2. Grill

Cooking these chicken sticks will take about 15 minutes. Once again, the internal temperature of 165°F will tell you they are cooked through. The chicken skewers will need to be turned over halfway through the cooking process.

3. Oven

Roasting or baking your chicken skewers in the oven should take about 5-7 minutes per side. Use the guide of 165°F to know for sure. You’ll need to roast them on both sides.

4. Stovetop 

Depending on how fat your chicken skewers are, they should take about 6-7 minutes per side when cooking them on a stovetop. 

You’re going to want them to be lovely and brown on the outside with an internal temperature of 165°F.

How to store & reheat

Chinese chicken skewers, as with any chicken, must be cooled completely before storing them in the fridge. 

Allow them to come to room temperature if they are still warm, and then package them in a container or plastic Tupperware. They will keep for 3-4 days.

To heat them, pop them in the oven for a few minutes or reheat them in the microwave. 

You will need to remove the chicken from the sticks if you want to microwave it and then skewer them or eat them off the stick.

You can also lay them on a tray, cover them with tinfoil and reheat them in the oven for a few minutes.

What to serve with it

Ah, the options. So many options. These are completely wonderful when served with:

• A large green and crunchy salad dressed in sesame oil and freshly squeezed lime juice
• Sticky white rice with toasted almonds
• Sweet potatoes baked with ginger and garlic
• Glazed honey and soy carrots
• Stir-fried noodles and veggies

Tips and tricks

• When you are good, you’re good. Here are a few pro tips to help you get the best out of your Chinese chicken sticks:
• If you’re going to pan-fry or grill the meat, wet the skewer sticks before threading the chicken onto them and cooking them. This will prevent them from burning.
• Give the chicken a good massage and let it marinate for as long as possible. This will give a really tender result.
• When grilling or cooking them on the stovetop, baste the chicken when you flip them over, with a little of the extra marinade.
• Don’t overcook them. You want to get them just cooked to get the most tender result.

FAQ

What part of the chicken to use for chicken on a stick?

While you can use chicken fillet/breast, it won’t be quite as juicy as using thighs. This is because thigh meat has a higher fat content than chicken fillets. Higher fat content in meat yields a juicier result.

Is Chinese chicken on a stick keto-friendly?

The answer depends on how strictly you are following the diet. While the chicken is keto-friendly, the sauce contains soy sauce which does contain a low level of net carbohydrates.

What are Chinese chicken on a stick calories?

Chinese chicken on a stick is about 170 calories.

Wrapping it up!

Guys, this is one of those recipes you need to have under your belt. You will turn to it when a juicy piece of chicken is calling your name. It’s a super easy recipe to make and the result from the hours spent marinating is so worth the wait.

Batch make these so that you have a container full of them for a week’s worth of dinner, snacks or lunches. Super tasty and convenient. 

Other yummy Asian dishes you’d love

• Healthy Chinese Lemon Chicken Recipe
• Korean Mozzarella Corn Dog Recipe
• Yaki Udon Recipe (Stir-Fried Udon Noodles)
• Easy Sushi Bake Recipe Salmon Edition