Chicken Yakitori

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Chicken Yakitori is a popular Japanese street food that’s simple, flavorful, and perfect for grilling. The tender, juicy chicken is skewered and glazed with a sweet and savory tare sauce, then grilled to perfection for that slightly smoky, charred flavor. Whether you’re having a summer barbecue or just craving something delicious and easy to make, this dish is a crowd-pleaser. The combination of tender chicken and a rich sauce creates a satisfying bite every time. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile—you can enjoy it with rice, veggies, or even on its own as an appetizer!

Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 1/4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)

• 2 tablespoons sake (or dry white wine)

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons grated ginger

• 1 clove garlic (minced)

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional, for extra flavor)

• 8-10 bamboo skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

• 2 green onions (sliced, for garnish)

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Prepare the Tare Sauce:
   In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly (about 5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside.

2. Prepare the Chicken:
   Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. You can also use chicken breast if you prefer, but chicken thighs are typically juicier and more flavorful for yakitori.

3. Skewer the Chicken:
   Thread the chicken pieces onto the soaked bamboo skewers, making sure they’re not packed too tightly. Leave a little space between each piece to allow for even cooking.

4. Grill the Chicken:
   Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Grill the skewered chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred. While grilling, brush the chicken with the tare sauce to coat it with flavor and allow it to caramelize.

5. Finish and Serve:
   Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skewers and place it on a serving plate. Drizzle the remaining tare sauce over the top, then sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions for garnish.

6. Enjoy:
   Serve your chicken yakitori with a side of steamed rice, vegetables, or a refreshing salad for a complete meal.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 4

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 10-15 minutes

• Total Time: 20-25 minutes

Variations

• Vegetable Yakitori: Add vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms to the skewers alongside the chicken for a veggie-packed version.

• Spicy Yakitori: For a spicy kick, mix some sriracha or chili paste into the tare sauce or sprinkle chili flakes over the chicken before serving.

• Different Protein: While chicken is classic, you can use beef, shrimp, or even tofu for a different protein base.

• Add a glaze: For extra flavor, you can add a layer of honey or maple syrup to the tare sauce for a sweeter finish.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Leftover yakitori can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

• Reheating: To reheat, you can microwave the chicken for 1-2 minutes or warm it in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes. Be careful not to overcook.

FAQs

1. Can I make yakitori without a grill?

Yes, you can cook yakitori in a grill pan or on a stovetop griddle. The key is to achieve that charred effect, so high heat is important.

2. What kind of chicken is best for yakitori?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal for yakitori because they’re juicy and tender. However, you can also use chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat.

3. Can I make the tare sauce in advance?

Yes, you can make the tare sauce ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

4. Can I use regular white sugar instead of brown sugar?

Brown sugar adds a depth of flavor, but you can substitute it with regular white sugar if needed. The flavor might be a little less rich, but it will still work.

5. Can I add more flavor to the sauce?

Yes, you can experiment with adding spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or even a bit of five-spice powder for an extra depth of flavor.

6. How can I make yakitori spicier?

Add some chili flakes or a bit of sriracha to the tare sauce to give the dish a spicy kick.

7. Can I use wooden skewers for yakitori?

Yes, you can use wooden skewers. Just remember to soak them in water for about 30 minutes before grilling to prevent them from burning.

8. Can I bake the yakitori in the oven?

Yes, you can broil the skewers in the oven on high heat. Place the skewers on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper and broil them for about 8-10 minutes, brushing them with sauce occasionally.

9. Can I marinate the chicken in the tare sauce?

Yes, marinating the chicken in the tare sauce for 30 minutes to an hour before grilling will enhance the flavor. Just make sure to reserve some sauce for basting while grilling.

10. Can I serve yakitori with something other than rice?

Yes, yakitori pairs well with a variety of sides like pickled vegetables, miso soup, or a simple salad. You can also serve it with steamed buns or noodles for a different take.

Conclusion

Chicken Yakitori is a deliciously simple and flavorful dish that is perfect for grilling season or anytime you want to enjoy a tasty, savory meal. The combination of juicy chicken, rich tare sauce, and the smoky char from the grill creates a mouthwatering experience. This easy recipe is sure to become a favorite in your cooking repertoire. Whether you serve it with rice, veggies, or on its own, Chicken Yakitori is a delightful and satisfying meal that everyone will love!

Chicken Yakitori

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• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-15 minutes
• Total Time: 20-25 minutes
• Yield: Servings: 4
• Category: Grilling
• Cuisine: Japanese
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

Chicken Yakitori is a flavorful and easy-to-make Japanese dish featuring juicy, tender chicken skewers glazed with a sweet and savory tare sauce. Grilled to perfection, this dish has a slightly smoky, charred flavor that pairs wonderfully with rice, veggies, or as an appetizer. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or craving a simple yet delicious meal, Chicken Yakitori offers the perfect combination of taste and texture. Quick to prepare and customizable, this dish will quickly become a crowd favorite!

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Ingredients

• For the Tare Sauce:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce

• 1/4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)

• 2 tablespoons sake (or dry white wine)

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 2 teaspoons grated ginger

• 1 clove garlic (minced)

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional, for extra flavor)

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)

• 8-10 bamboo skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)

For Garnish (Optional):

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

• 2 green onions (sliced)

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Instructions

• Prepare the Tare Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.

• Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, then skewer them onto the soaked bamboo skewers, leaving a little space between each piece.

• Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates to prevent sticking. Grill the skewered chicken for 3-4 minutes per side or until cooked through and slightly charred. While grilling, brush the chicken with tare sauce for flavor and caramelization.

• Finish and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the skewers and place on a plate. Drizzle with remaining tare sauce, and garnish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

• Serve: Enjoy the chicken yakitori with steamed rice, vegetables, or as a stand-alone appetizer.

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Notes

For a veggie-packed version, skewer vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or onions alongside the chicken.Spice it up by adding sriracha or chili flakes to the tare sauce.For a different protein, you can substitute chicken with beef, shrimp, or tofu.