Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe
Japanese Chicken Yakitori is a delicious grilled chicken skewer recipe featuring tender marinated chicken pieces coated in a savory-sweet glaze made from soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, and ginger. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, these skewers are quickly grilled to juicy perfection and basted with a thickened sauce for a caramelized finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings (6-7 skewers) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 5–6 pieces boneless chicken breast or 6–8 pieces boneless chicken thighs
Marinade and Sauce
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced or 1 tsp ginger powder
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup water
- 3 tbsp red wine or mirin (Japanese rice wine)
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp distilled vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening)
Other
- 6–7 wooden skewers (soaked in water for 10–20 minutes)
Instructions
- Soak Skewers: Soak the wooden skewers in water for 10-20 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Prepare Sauce: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, water, red wine or mirin, brown sugar, and vinegar until the sugar dissolves completely to create the marinade and base sauce.
- Prep Chicken: Trim any excess fat or cartilage from the chicken, then cut it into 1–2 inch chunks and lightly pound to tenderize.
- Marinate Chicken: In a large bowl, combine minced garlic, ginger, ground black pepper, and 1/4 cup of the prepared sauce. Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 10 minutes to absorb flavors.
- Thicken Sauce: Pour the remaining sauce into a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp of sauce to form a slurry, then stir it into the boiling sauce to thicken. Let it simmer until the sauce reaches a syrupy consistency, then remove from heat.
- Skewer Chicken: Thread the marinated chicken onto the soaked wooden skewers evenly.
- Grill Chicken: Grill or broil the skewers over medium-high heat for 8–12 minutes, turning occasionally for even cooking. Baste the chicken frequently with the thickened sauce until cooked through and caramelized. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Notes
- Soaking the wooden skewers in water is crucial to avoid burning on the grill or under the broiler.
- Using boneless chicken thighs results in juicier skewers, but breasts work well too.
- Mirin provides authentic flavor, but red wine is a suitable substitute.
- Adjust the sugar amount to your preferred sweetness in the marinade/sauce.
- Proper internal temperature ensures safety and optimal juiciness; use a meat thermometer when possible.
Keywords: Yakitori, Japanese chicken skewers, grilled chicken, soy sauce chicken, Japanese appetizer
Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/japanese-chicken-yakitori-recipe/
