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
Scale
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.
