Sizzling Japanese Skewers: The Zesty Yakitori Recipe

Grilling enthusiasts adore this mouthwatering yakitori recipe that captures authentic Japanese street food flavors.

The ultimate yakitori recipe brings sizzling skewered chicken to your home kitchen with incredible simplicity.

Tender chicken pieces marinated in a rich, savory sauce promise an explosion of umami in every bite.

Traditional techniques combine with easy-to-follow steps that even novice cooks can master.

Charcoal grilling adds smoky depth to these perfectly seasoned chicken skewers.

Salt, soy sauce, and mirin create a glaze that caramelizes beautifully over high heat.

You’ll want to fire up the grill and transport your taste buds straight to the bustling streets of Tokyo with these irresistible skewers.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 335 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients For Yakitori Recipe

• Soy Sauce: Provides deep umami flavor and authentic Japanese seasoning base.
• Mirin: Adds subtle sweetness and helps create glossy sauce texture.
• Sake: Enhances depth of flavor and helps balance sauce components.
• Sugar: Balances savory elements and promotes caramelization.

• Garlic: Infuses robust, pungent undertones into sauce.
• Ginger: Brings warming, zesty notes and complementary spiciness.

• Chicken Thighs: Offers rich, tender meat perfect for grilling with superior moisture retention.

• Green Onions: Adds fresh, sharp crispness and visual appeal to skewers.

• Bamboo Skewers: Traditional threading tool for compact, even cooking.
• Cooking Oil: Prevents sticking and promotes beautiful grill marks.

• Steamed Rice: Classic accompaniment providing balanced meal foundation.

What Tools Help With Yakitori Recipe

• Small Saucepan: Essential for making the flavorful tare sauce with perfect simmering control.
• Strainer: Helps remove garlic and ginger pieces from the sauce for a smooth finish.
• Grill or Grill Pan: Crucial for achieving those delicious charred and caramelized yakitori marks.
• Bamboo Skewers: Must be soaked beforehand to thread chicken and green onion pieces.
• Basting Brush: Perfect for generously coating skewers with the tare sauce during grilling.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Helps accurately measure sauce ingredients for consistent flavor.

Smart Ideas For Yakitori Recipe

• Skewer Selection: Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling, ensuring your yakitori stays perfectly intact.
• Meat Prep Magic: Use boneless chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness; cut into uniform pieces to guarantee even cooking and beautiful presentation.
• Low and Slow Technique: Maintain medium heat while grilling to prevent charring, allowing the chicken to cook slowly and develop a gorgeous caramelized exterior without burning.
• Dietary Swap Options: For gluten-free version, replace traditional soy sauce with tamari. Vegetarian enthusiasts can substitute chicken with firm tofu or mushrooms, marinating them in the same delicious tare sauce for comparable flavor intensity.
• Sauce Preservation Pro: Extra tare sauce can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to one week, making future yakitori preparations quick and convenient.

Fun Ways To Enjoy Yakitori Recipe

• Flavor Fusion Feast: Pair yakitori with steamed white rice and a crisp cucumber salad for a balanced meal that highlights the sweet and savory chicken.
• Cocktail Companion Platter: Serve alongside chilled Japanese beer or sake, creating a perfect appetizer spread for social gatherings with friends and family.
• Veggie Balance Boost: Complement the skewers with quick pickled vegetables like daikon radish or edamame to add freshness and contrast to the rich grilled chicken.
• Weekend Barbecue Star: Transform this recipe into a crowd-pleasing dish for outdoor grilling parties, preparing multiple skewers with different marinades to offer variety.

Tips For Storing Yakitori Recipe Properly

• Flavor Preservation Tactics
• Refrigerate leftover yakitori in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping the skewers and sauce separate to maintain crispness.
• Meal Prep Magic
• Marinate chicken pieces and cut green onions in advance, storing them separately in sealed containers in the refrigerator for quick weeknight grilling.
• Freezing Friendly Strategy
• Freeze uncooked skewered chicken with raw green onions in freezer bags for up to one month, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before grilling.
• Smart Sauce Management
• Store extra tare sauce in a glass jar with a tight lid in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, using it as a delicious marinade or dipping sauce for other grilled meats and vegetables.

Easy Guide To Make Yakitori Recipe

• Whip Up the Flavor Sauce

Grab a small pot and toss in soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, crushed garlic, and grated ginger. Bring the mixture to a bubbling boil, then dial down the heat and let it simmer. Stir occasionally until the sauce gets slightly thick and glossy. Strain out the garlic and ginger chunks, then let the sauce cool down to room temperature.

• Skewer the Goodness

Thread tender chicken pieces onto pre-soaked bamboo skewers, weaving in chunks of green onion for extra zing. Make sure the pieces are snug and balanced on the stick.

• Fire Up the Grill

Heat your grill or grill pan to a medium sizzle. Give the grates a light oil massage to prevent sticking. Lay down the skewers and cook for a few minutes on each side. When the chicken starts looking golden, brush on the flavor sauce generously. Keep turning the skewers to get an even, caramelized coating. Cook until the chicken is perfectly done and glistening.

• Plate and Devour

Serve these sizzling skewers hot off the grill. Drizzle with extra sauce if you’re feeling indulgent. Pair with steamed rice or enjoy as a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ultimate Yakitori Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Grilled Japanese yakitori skewers bring traditional street flavors from Tokyo’s bustling markets. Succulent chicken pieces marinated in sweet soy sauce create delightful bites you’ll savor with authentic culinary passion.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (0.45 kg) chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
• ½ cup (120 ml) soy sauce
• ½ cup (120 ml) mirin
• ¼ cup (60 ml) sake
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) sugar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-inch piece ginger, sliced
• 4–6 green onions (scallions), cut into 2-inch pieces
• bamboo skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)

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Instructions

1. Tare Sauce Preparation: Merge soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, garlic, and ginger in a saucepan, bringing to a robust boil over medium heat, then reduce and simmer until the liquid transforms into a luscious, slightly syrupy consistency while stirring intermittently.
2. Sauce Refinement: Strain the reduced sauce to remove garlic and ginger fragments, allowing it to cool to room temperature while preparing the chicken components.
3. Chicken Preparation: Select premium chicken thighs or breast meat, meticulously trimming excess fat and cutting into precise, uniform cubes to guarantee consistent cooking and optimal flavor absorption.
4. Skewer Assembly: Immerse wooden skewers in water to prevent charring, then artfully thread chicken pieces, interlacing with vibrant green onion segments to create a visually appealing and flavorful presentation.
5. Grilling Technique: Ignite a grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature, lightly oil the surface to prevent adhesion, then strategically position skewers, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a golden-brown exterior with initial caramelization signs.
6. Sauce Glazing: During the final grilling moments, liberally brush skewers with prepared tare sauce, rotating to ensure an even, glossy coating that amplifies flavor and color profile.
7. Final Finishing: Continue grilling for an additional 1-2 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize and create a rich, glazed finish without burning, then transfer to a serving platter and embellish with extra tare sauce and finely chopped green onions for a burst of freshness and visual elegance.

Notes

• Prevent Skewer Burning: Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to stop them from catching fire during grilling.
• Control Meat Size: Cut chicken into uniform, bite-sized cubes to guarantee consistent cooking and prevent uneven texture.
• Watch Caramelization Carefully: Monitor sauce glazing closely during final grilling stage to achieve rich color without scorching the meat.
• Temperature Management: Maintain medium-high heat to develop golden-brown exterior while ensuring chicken remains juicy and fully cooked.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 335
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg