Yakitori Chicken

Delight your taste buds with the smoky-sweet flavors of Yakitori Chicken, a classic Japanese skewered dish that's perfect for grilling season or a weeknight dinner. Tender chicken thighs and flavorful spring onions are threaded onto bamboo skewers, seasoned lightly, and basted with a luscious homemade tare sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, and a hint of garlic and ginger. The result is beautifully caramelized, bite-sized morsels that are both savory and irresistibly umami-rich. With just 30 minutes of prep time, this quick and authentic recipe is ideal as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or served over steamed rice for a complete Japanese-inspired meal. Whether you're hosting a barbecue or crafting a cozy dinner at home, Yakitori Chicken effortlessly combines simplicity, flavor, and tradition.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams chicken thighs
• 6 whole spring onions
• 120 ml soy sauce
• 120 ml mirin
• 60 ml sake
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 inch piece ginger
• 12 bamboo skewers
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Soak the bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning during grilling.

Step 2

Prepare the sauce by combining soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar in a small saucepan. Slice the garlic and ginger thinly and add them to the saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Reduce the heat and continue to simmer for about 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Step 3

Trim any excess fat from the chicken thighs and cut them into bite-sized pieces, approximately 1-inch cubes.

Step 4

Cut the spring onions into 1-inch pieces, using both the white and green parts.

Step 5

Take a soaked skewer, and thread chicken and spring onion alternately, starting and ending with chicken pieces. Leave a small space between each piece to ensure even cooking.

Step 6

Lightly sprinkle the skewered chicken with salt and black pepper on both sides.

Step 7

Preheat the grill or a grill pan to medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates or pan to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, basting with the prepared sauce frequently. Rotate and baste until the chicken is cooked through and evenly caramelized, about 10-12 minutes in total.

Step 9

Remove the skewers from the grill and give them a final brush with the sauce before serving.

Step 10

Serve the yakitori immediately as a delightful appetizer or alongside steamed rice for a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1064.7 grams (1064.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1671

Total Fat 55.80g	72%
Saturated Fat 16.10g	81%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.20g
Cholesterol 470mg	157%
Sodium 5250mg	228%
Total Carbohydrate 110.60g	40%
Dietary Fiber 3.80g	14%
Total Sugars 92.90g
Protein 144.40g	289%

Vitamin D 35IU	175%
Calcium 177mg	14%
Iron 8mg	44%
Potassium 2076mg	44%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.0%

Protein: 37.9%

Carbs: 29.1%