Description
Yakitori chicken brings Japanese street grill magic right to your kitchen with simple marinating tricks that guarantee juicy, charred perfection. Grilling these tender chicken skewers turns an ordinary weeknight dinner into a delicious adventure your taste buds will absolutely adore.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 500 grams chicken thighs
Sauces and Seasonings:
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 2 tablespoons sake
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Garnish and Additional Ingredients:
- 4 green onions
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Slice 500 grams of boneless, skinless chicken thighs into uniform 1-inch cubes for consistent cooking.
- Whisk together ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons mirin, 2 tablespoons sake, and 1 tablespoon sugar in a medium mixing bowl until sugar dissolves completely.
- Pour half the marinade over chicken pieces, ensuring each chunk gets coated evenly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to absorb flavors.
- Thread marinated chicken onto metal or soaked wooden skewers, alternating with 2-inch green onion segments for added texture.
- Preheat grill to 375°F with medium-high direct heat zones. Clean and lightly oil grates to prevent sticking.
- Arrange skewers on hot grill, cooking 5-7 minutes per side. Brush with reserved marinade during grilling for caramelization.
- Check chicken internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer for safe consumption.
- Transfer grilled skewers to a serving platter. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds across the top for a nutty finish.
Notes
- Choose chicken thighs for more flavor and juiciness compared to breast meat.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading to prevent burning on the grill.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce with tamari and verify all marinade ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Create consistent chicken pieces by cutting them into uniform 1-inch cubes to ensure even cooking and professional-looking skewers.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-14 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 203 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg