Description
A quick and easy recipe for flavorful Japanese Chicken Yakitori skewers, perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
- 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)
- 6–7 wooden skewers (soaked in water for 10–20 minutes)
Instructions
- Soak the wooden skewers in water for 10-20 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- In a bowl, mix the soy sauce, water, red wine/mirin, brown sugar, and vinegar until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Trim any excess fat or cartilage from the chicken, then cut it into 1–2 inch chunks and lightly pound to tenderize.
- In a large bowl, combine the minced garlic, ginger, ground black pepper, and 1/4 cup of the prepared sauce. Add the chicken and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 10 minutes.
- Pour the remaining sauce into a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 2 tbsp of sauce to create a slurry, then stir it into the boiling sauce to thicken it. Let it simmer until the sauce reaches a syrupy consistency, then remove from heat.
- Thread the marinated chicken onto the soaked skewers and grill or broil over medium-high heat for 8-12 minutes, turning occasionally. Baste with the thickened sauce until the chicken is cooked through and caramelized (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C).
Notes
Marinate the chicken ahead of time for deeper flavor. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 70mg