Description
A classic Japanese street food, this Chicken Yakitori recipe features tender chicken pieces grilled on skewers and glazed with a sweet and savory tare sauce. Perfect as an appetizer or a main dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup sake
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp grated garlic (optional)
- 1 tsp grated ginger (optional)
- Scallions or green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces (optional)
- Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Instructions
- Soak the bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. Add garlic and ginger if using. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes until slightly thickened to make the tare sauce.
- Thread chicken pieces onto the skewers, alternating with green onion pieces if desired.
- Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates.
- Grill the skewers for about 3 minutes per side. Brush with tare sauce and continue grilling, flipping and basting for an additional 4-6 minutes, until chicken is fully cooked and caramelized.
- Remove from grill and brush with more sauce before serving.
Notes
- Soaking skewers helps prevent burning during grilling.
- Chicken thighs stay juicier than breasts and are recommended.
- Can also be cooked under the broiler or in a grill pan if outdoor grilling isn’t an option.
- Serve with steamed rice or as an appetizer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer (approx. 100g)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
