Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe
Japanese Chicken Yakitori is a popular grilled skewer dish featuring tender, juicy chicken thighs glazed with a sweet and savory tare sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, and brown sugar. This recipe delivers perfectly grilled chicken bites with optional scallion threading and flavorful garnishes, ideal as a tasty appetizer or main dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings (about 8 skewers) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
Scale
For the Yakitori:
- 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 sub 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
- Prepare the tare sauce: In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated fresh ginger. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prep the chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces. Thread 4 to 5 pieces onto each soaked bamboo skewer, optionally alternating with slices of scallion or green onion for added flavor.
- Grill the skewers: Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly oil the surface to prevent sticking. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 3–4 minutes per side, turning until golden brown and nearly cooked through.
- Baste with sauce: During the final minutes of grilling, brush the chicken skewers generously with the prepared tare sauce. Flip and baste multiple times to build up a glossy, flavorful glaze and ensure the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Serve: Remove the cooked skewers from the heat. Garnish with sesame seeds, chopped scallions, or a sprinkle of shichimi togarashi if desired. Serve hot alongside extra tare sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Soak bamboo skewers for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning while grilling.
- Adjust sweetness of tare sauce by adding more or less brown sugar according to taste.
- If sake is unavailable, substitute with extra mirin or unsweetened apple juice.
- For an even more authentic flavor, use a charcoal grill if possible.
- Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
Keywords: Japanese yakitori, chicken skewers, grilled chicken, tare sauce, Japanese appetizer, easy grill recipes
Find it online: https://todayquickmeals.com/japanese-chicken-yakitori-recipe/
