Yakitori Skewered Japanese Chicken
Elevate your grilling game with Yakitori Skewered Japanese Chicken, a classic dish that brings the irresistible flavors of Japanese street food to your table! Tender, bite-sized pieces of juicy chicken thighs are expertly marinated and glazed in a rich, umami-packed tare sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, garlic, and ginger. Threaded with fresh scallion slices onto soaked wooden skewers, these savory morsels are grilled to perfection, creating a slightly charred, caramelized finish that’s bursting with flavor. Perfectly balanced between sweet and savory, these yakitori skewers are ideal for quick weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or even as a standout appetizer. Serve them hot, garnished with sesame seeds or extra scallions, and watch them become a crowd favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 500 grams Chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
- 120 ml Soy sauce
- 60 ml Mirin
- 60 ml Sake
- 2 tablespoons Sugar
- 1 clove Garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Ginger (grated)
- 5 Scallions (white and light green parts, cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 10 Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Instructions
Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning while grilling.
Cut the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces (approximately 1-inch cubes) and set aside.
In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened. This will be your tare sauce.
Reserve about 1/3 of the tare sauce in a separate bowl for basting during grilling and set aside.
Thread the chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers, alternating with pieces of scallion for added flavor.
Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally. Brush the skewers with the reserved tare sauce during the final few minutes of grilling for a glossy, flavorful glaze.
Remove the skewers from the grill once the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.
Serve the yakitori hot, optionally garnished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds or additional scallions on top.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
272 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 7.2 g | 9% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.9 g | 10% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 117 mg | 39% | |
| Sodium | 1281 mg | 56% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 15.8 g | 6% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.7 g | 3% | |
| Total Sugars | 10.0 g | ||
| Protein | 29.8 g | 60% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 38 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.7 mg | 9% | |
| Potassium | 474 mg | 10% | |
*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.
