Description
This Japanese Chicken Yakitori recipe features tender chicken skewers marinated in a flavorful sauce and grilled to perfection. The sweet and savory glaze adds a caramelized finish, making it a delicious dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5–6 pieces boneless chicken breast or 6–8 pieces boneless chicken thighs
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced or 1 tsp ginger powder
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
Sauce:
- 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 the skewers: Soak wooden skewers in water for 10-20 minutes.
- Create sauce: Combine soy sauce, water, red wine or mirin, brown sugar, and vinegar in a bowl.
- Prepare chicken: Cut chicken into chunks, marinate with garlic, ginger, and pepper.
- Thicken sauce: Boil remaining sauce, thicken with cornstarch.
- Skewer and grill: Thread chicken onto skewers, grill for 8-12 minutes, basting with sauce.
Notes
- Soaking skewers prevents burning and eases grilling.
- Mirin can be substituted with red wine for sweetness.
- Marinating longer enhances flavor but is optional.
- Use a thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked.
- Can be cooked indoors using a grill pan or broiler.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg