Name: Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces; Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes; Optional: sliced scallions or green onions for threading; 1/2 cup soy sauce; 1/4 cup mirin; 1/4 cup sake (or sub with more mirin or apple juice); 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional); Sesame seeds; Chopped scallions; Shichimi togarashi

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Introduction

Japanese Chicken Yakitori is a delicious and simple grilled chicken skewer dish that features tender pieces of chicken glazed with a savory-sweet tare sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a flavorful appetizer, this recipe brings the authentic taste of Japan right to your home grill.

Four wooden skewers lay side by side on a white rectangular plate with a subtle pattern. Each skewer has five to six large cubes of grilled chicken, showing a shiny, golden-brown surface with dark grill marks and small charred spots. The chicken pieces have a sticky glaze coating, making them appear juicy and tender. The two middle skewers are sprinkled with white sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions, adding texture and a fresh green color contrast. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface, and the background includes blurred wooden elements. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Optional: sliced scallions or green onions for threading
For the tare sauce:
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup sake (or substitute with more mirin or apple juice)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
Optional garnish: sesame seeds, chopped scallions, shichimi togarashi

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the tare sauce by combining soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes until it slightly thickens. Set aside to cool.
Step 2: Cut the chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces. Thread 4–5 pieces onto each soaked bamboo skewer, optionally adding sliced scallions between chicken pieces for extra flavor.
Step 3: Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly oil the surface to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Grill the skewers for 3–4 minutes on each side until they are golden and nearly cooked through.
Step 5: During the last few minutes of grilling, brush the skewers generously with the tare sauce, flipping and basting multiple times until the chicken is fully cooked and has a glossy finish.
Step 6: Remove the skewers from the heat and garnish with sesame seeds, chopped scallions, or shichimi togarashi if desired. Serve hot with extra tare sauce on the side.

Tips & Variations

For a sweeter sauce, add a little more brown sugar or mirin according to taste.
Soak the bamboo skewers for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning on the grill.
Add vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms on the skewers for a colorful variation.
If you don’t have a grill, a grill pan or broiler works well to achieve a similar charred flavor.

Storage

Store leftover yakitori in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a grill pan or oven to maintain the glaze and avoid drying out the chicken. Avoid microwaving if possible as it can make the chicken rubbery.

How to Serve

The image shows five wooden skewers of grilled chicken pieces arranged in a row on a black textured rectangular plate. Each skewer holds about five to six chunks of chicken that have a golden brown color with visible charred spots and a shiny glaze. The chicken looks juicy and grilled, garnished with small pieces of chopped green onion scattered over the top. In the background, there are some bowls with sauces and chopped green onions on a white marbled surface with a woven placemat partially visible. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but thighs tend to stay juicier and more flavorful when grilled, making them ideal for yakitori.

What can I use if I don’t have sake?

If you don’t have sake, you can substitute with extra mirin or apple juice for sweetness, though the flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.