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Japanese Chicken Yakitori

Savory Japanese Chicken Yakitori Skewers for Easy Grilling Fun

Delight in these Japanese Chicken Yakitori skewers, bursting with sweet and savory flavors, perfect for summer grilling fun.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Soaking Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 2 minutes
Servings: 4 skewers
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Marinade
  • 1 pound Boneless Chicken (breast or thighs) Substitution: Firm tofu or vegetables for a vegetarian option.
  • 3 cloves Garlic Use fresh garlic for the best taste.
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger Can use ginger powder in a pinch.
  • 1/2 cup Soy Sauce Substitution: Tamari for gluten-free.
  • 1/4 cup Red Wine or Mirin Substitution: White wine with sugar to mimic mirin flavor.
  • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar Can replace with honey or agave syrup.
  • 2 tablespoons Rice Vinegar Substitution: Distilled vinegar.
Yakitori Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch No direct substitutes recommended for function.
For Assembly
  • 8 pieces Wooden Skewers Soak in water for 10–20 minutes to prevent burning.

Equipment

  • Grill
  • Medium Bowl
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk
  • knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Soak the wooden skewers in water for 10 to 20 minutes.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, water, red wine (or mirin), brown sugar, and rice vinegar until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Trim excess fat from the chicken and cut into 1 to 2-inch chunks.
  4. Mix minced garlic, grated ginger, and ground pepper with 1/4 cup of the reserved yakitori sauce. Toss chicken pieces to marinate for at least 10 minutes.
  5. Pour the remaining yakitori sauce into a saucepan, mix cornstarch and a few tablespoons of sauce for a slurry, and whisk into the boiling sauce until thickened.
  6. Thread marinated chicken pieces onto soaked skewers, leaving space between pieces for grilling.
  7. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F or 200°C) and grill skewers for 8 to 12 minutes, turning them while basting with thickened yakitori sauce.
  8. Remove skewers from heat and let rest for a minute before serving warm, drizzled with remaining sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1skewersCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 23gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 1500mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 100IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Use the freshest garlic and ginger for the best flavor. Marinate for a minimum of 10 minutes or longer for deeper flavors.

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