Description
Chicken Yakitori brings Japanese street food magic straight to your kitchen, making grilling these savory skewers a delightful culinary adventure. Perfectly charred chicken pieces glazed with sweet and tangy sauce will transport your taste buds to the bustling streets of Tokyo.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 500 grams chicken thighs
Supporting Liquids:
- 60 ml soy sauce
- 30 ml mirin
- 30 ml sake
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 4 green onions
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 8 bamboo skewers
Instructions
- Slice chicken thighs into uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure even cooking.
- Whisk together 60 ml soy sauce, 30 ml mirin, 30 ml sake, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a ceramic bowl until sugar dissolves completely.
- Soak 8 bamboo skewers in cold water for 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Thread chicken chunks alternately with 2-inch green onion pieces onto prepared skewers, leaving small spaces between ingredients.
- Submerge assembled skewers in marinade for 15 minutes, rotating occasionally to coat evenly.
- Preheat gas grill or grill pan to 400°F with medium-high direct heat.
- Place skewers on hot grill, cooking 4-5 minutes per side until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature.
- Brush skewers with reserved marinade during grilling to enhance caramelization.
- Remove skewers from heat and let rest for 2-3 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds over yakitori before serving for extra texture and nutty flavor.
Notes
- Choose chicken thighs for maximum flavor and tenderness, as they stay juicy during grilling.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning and potential flame-ups on the grill.
- Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes to 2 hours to ensure deep, rich flavor absorption without making the meat tough.
- Grill the skewers quickly over medium-high heat, turning frequently to get an even char and prevent burning while maintaining a succulent texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 195 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg