Description
This Japanese Chicken Yakitori recipe features tender and juicy skewers of marinated chicken grilled to perfection and basted with a sweet and savory thickened sauce, delivering an authentic taste of Japanese street food that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 5–6 pieces boneless chicken breast or 6–8 pieces boneless chicken thighs
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
Marinade and Sauce
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 6–7 wooden skewers (soaked in water)
- Water (quantity unspecified, estimate about 1/4 cup)
- Red wine or mirin (estimate 2 tbsp)
- Vinegar (estimate 1 tbsp)
- Cornstarch slurry (about 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water)
- Ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- Soak skewers: Soak 6–7 wooden skewers in water for 10–20 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Prepare sauce mixture: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, water, red wine or mirin, brown sugar, and vinegar. Stir until the brown sugar dissolves completely.
- Marinate chicken: Trim and cut the chicken into 1–2 inch chunks. Add minced garlic, minced ginger, ground pepper, and some of the prepared sauce to the chicken. Marinate for at least 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Cook sauce: Transfer the remaining sauce to a saucepan and bring it to a simmer. Add cornstarch slurry gradually while stirring until the sauce thickens to a glaze consistency.
- Thread and grill chicken: Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers. Grill over medium-high heat for 8–12 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with the thickened sauce until the chicken is cooked through and nicely caramelized.
Notes
- Soaking the skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness, but breasts can be used for a leaner option.
- The sauce can be adjusted in sweetness and saltiness by varying brown sugar and soy sauce amounts.
- Use mirin for an authentic flavor or substitute with red wine if unavailable.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Keywords: Japanese Yakitori, Chicken Skewers, Grilled Chicken, Japanese Recipe, Yakitori Sauce
