Yakitori Chicken Skewers
Savor the irresistible flavors of Japan with these juicy and flavorful Yakitori Chicken Skewers! Tender pieces of boneless chicken thighs are marinated in a homemade tare sauce—crafted from soy sauce, mirin, sake, garlic, and fresh ginger—then grilled to perfection with caramelized charred edges. Alternated with crisp green onions, these skewers are an authentic taste of Japanese street food. Perfectly cooked in just 15 minutes, they’re ideal as an appetizer, party snack, or served alongside steamed rice for a satisfying meal. Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or re-creating your favorite izakaya dishes at home, these skewers are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 120 milliliters Soy sauce
- 100 milliliters Mirin
- 100 milliliters Sake
- 3 tablespoons Sugar
- 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Fresh ginger, grated
- 4 whole Green onions (scallions)
- 10 pieces Wooden or metal skewers
Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and let cool. This is your tare sauce.
While the tare sauce is cooling, cut the boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, about 1-1.5 inches each.
Slice the green onions into 1-inch-long pieces to alternate with the chicken on the skewers.
If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 20 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill.
Thread the chicken pieces and green onions alternately onto the skewers, leaving space at both ends to handle the skewers.
Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking.
Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly charred.
During the last few minutes of grilling, brush the skewers generously with the tare sauce, allowing it to caramelize slightly but not burn.
Remove the skewers from the grill and brush once more with a final layer of tare sauce for a flavorful glaze.
Serve the yakitori immediately as a delicious appetizer or alongside steamed rice for a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1691 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 55.6 g | 71% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.1 g | 76% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 625 mg | 208% | |
| Sodium | 5127 mg | 223% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 107.5 g | 39% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.7 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 93.1 g | ||
| Protein | 143.1 g | 286% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.9 mcg | 4% | |
| Calcium | 134 mg | 10% | |
| Iron | 6.8 mg | 38% | |
| Potassium | 1828 mg | 39% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
