Description
Chicken Yakitori is a classic Japanese dish of skewered and grilled chicken basted with a savory-sweet soy-based sauce. This recipe yields tender and flavorful chicken skewers perfect for a main course or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Yakitori Sauce:
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
- ¼ cup sake
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
For the Chicken Skewers:
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 6 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Bamboo or metal skewers (if using bamboo, soak in water for 30 minutes)
Instructions
- Prepare the Yakitori Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic. Simmer over medium heat, then cook on low for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Set aside to cool.
- Thread the Skewers: Alternate threading chicken and green onion pieces onto skewers. Brush lightly with vegetable oil.
- Grill the Skewers: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill skewers for 3 minutes per side until nearly cooked through. Brush with yakitori sauce and grill for another 2-3 minutes, basting and turning until fully cooked and glossy.
- Serve: Remove from grill, brush with remaining sauce, and serve hot.
Notes
- For a more traditional version, use chicken skin or cartilage pieces.
- Substitute mirin with a mix of white wine and sugar if needed.
- Serve over rice or as an appetizer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 skewers
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 860mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
