If you are craving a dish that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and smoky flavors, then you will absolutely love this Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Soy-Mirin Glaze Recipe. These tender, juicy chicken pieces threaded with fresh green onions and glazed with a glossy, mouthwatering sauce are an absolute delight. Whether you’re grilling for a weekend cookout or whipping up a quick weekday dinner, this recipe brings a wonderful taste of Japan right to your kitchen with uncomplicated ingredients and a simple technique.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Soy-Mirin Glaze Recipe plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor and texture. They are straightforward but essential for creating that authentic balance of taste and visual appeal.
- Chicken breasts: Using skinless and boneless ensures tender, lean bites that soak up the glaze beautifully.
- Green onions: Their mild onion flavor adds a fresh, slightly crisp contrast to the rich chicken.
- Bamboo skewers: Soaking these prevents burning and helps keep everything secure while grilling.
- Soy sauce: Provides the salty, umami backbone of the glaze that defines yakitori.
- Mirin: A sweet rice wine that balances the soy’s saltiness and creates the shiny, caramelized finish.
- Sugar: Adds depth and a subtle sweetness to the glaze, intensifying caramelization on the grill.
- Oil for grilling: Prevents sticking and helps achieve those perfect grill marks without drying out the chicken.
How to Make Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Soy-Mirin Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Skewers
Start by soaking your bamboo skewers in cold water for about 5 minutes. This simple step prevents them from catching fire or burning when they hit the grill, ensuring your skewers hold strong and intact throughout cooking.
Step 2: Make the Soy-Mirin Glaze
In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Heat over medium flame until it gently simmers, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes. This simmering process thickens the mixture slightly, creating the perfect sticky glaze for your yakitori.
Step 3: Cut Chicken and Green Onions
While the glaze simmers, chop your chicken breasts and green onions into 2-inch pieces. Cutting the ingredients evenly ensures they cook uniformly, giving you that ideal tender bite every time.
Step 4: Assemble the Skewers
Thread the chicken pieces and green onions alternately onto the soaked skewers. Once the skewers are loaded, brush them generously with the soy-mirin glaze to coat each piece with that irresistible flavor.
Step 5: Grill the Skewers
Place the skewers over medium heat and grill for approximately 5 minutes, turning regularly. This keeps the chicken juicy while building a caramelized, slightly charred exterior that is the hallmark of excellent yakitori.
Step 6: Final Touches
Remove the skewers from the grill and give them a final brush with the glaze. Sprinkle with extra chopped green onions and sesame seeds if you like, adding a fresh crunch and nuttiness that elevates every bite.
How to Serve Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Soy-Mirin Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes make a huge difference in presenting your Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Soy-Mirin Glaze Recipe. Try sprinkling toasted sesame seeds, sliced scallions, or a pinch of shichimi togarashi for a little heat and complexity that brighten the dish.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with simple sides that complement its rich, glazed flavor. Steamed jasmine rice, a crunchy cucumber salad, or even a tangy pickled vegetable platter provide great contrast and turn your skewers into a complete meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress guests? Serve your Chicken Yakitori Skewers on a rustic wooden board alongside bowls of extra soy-mirin glaze for dipping. Garnish with edible flowers or fresh herbs like cilantro or shiso leaves to take your presentation from everyday to extraordinary.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, place the cooled skewers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The chicken stays flavorful and tender, making for a great next-day snack or quick meal.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked chicken yakitori skewers by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag. They keep well for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating to preserve texture and flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, gently warm the skewers in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through. Avoid microwaving as it can dry out the chicken and dull the beautiful glaze.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs are even more flavorful and juicy, though you may want to adjust cooking time slightly to ensure they’re cooked through.
What is the role of mirin in the recipe?
Mirin adds a mild sweetness and depth to the glaze, balancing the salty soy sauce and giving the chicken its signature shiny finish.
Do I need to soak the bamboo skewers?
Yes, soaking prevents the skewers from burning on the grill and helps keep the chicken securely in place during cooking.
Can I make the glaze ahead of time?
Definitely! The soy-mirin glaze can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated. Just warm it slightly before brushing it onto the skewers.
What is the best way to grill if I don’t have an outdoor grill?
You can use a grill pan or even a broiler in your oven. Just watch closely to avoid burning and turn the skewers often for even cooking.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give the Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Soy-Mirin Glaze Recipe a try soon. It’s one of those dishes that’s deceptively simple but packed full of flavor, perfect for sharing with loved ones or savoring any time you want a quick yet impressive meal. Once you taste this perfect harmony of sweet, savory, and smoky, it may just become one of your favorites too!
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Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Soy-Mirin Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 5-5 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Description
This Chicken Yakitori recipe is a quick and flavorful Japanese-style grilled chicken skewer dish. Tender chicken pieces and green onions are coated in a savory-sweet homemade yakitori sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar, then grilled to perfection. Perfect as an appetizer or main dish, these skewers deliver a delicious umami experience in just 20 minutes total.
Ingredients
Chicken and Skewers
- 2 small chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
- 4 large green onions
- 10 bamboo skewers
- Oil for grilling
Yakitori Sauce
- 2/3 cup soy sauce
- 2/3 cup mirin
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- Soak Skewers: Place the bamboo skewers in cold water for 5 minutes to prevent them from burning during grilling.
- Make Yakitori Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer gently for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Prepare Ingredients: Cut the chicken breasts and green onions into 2-inch pieces, ensuring the sizes are uniform for even cooking.
- Assemble Skewers: Thread the chicken pieces and green onions alternately onto the soaked bamboo skewers. Brush them generously with the prepared yakitori sauce to coat.
- Grill Skewers: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat. Lightly oil the grates or pan, then grill the skewers for about 5 minutes, turning regularly to cook all sides thoroughly and achieve a nice glaze.
- Serve: Remove the skewers from the grill. Optionally, sprinkle additional chopped green onions and sesame seeds on top before serving for added flavor and texture.
Notes
- Soaking the skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for juicier skewers if preferred.
- If you don’t have mirin, a mixture of sake and a little sugar can be used as a substitute.
- Adjust the sugar amount in the sauce to your preferred sweetness level.
- These skewers are best served immediately while hot and glazed.
