Description
Yakitori is a popular Japanese dish consisting of skewered and grilled chicken pieces, often glazed with a savory-sweet tare sauce. It’s a perfect appetizer or snack, loved for its smoky aroma and tender, juicy meat. This recipe is simple and ideal for a backyard barbecue or indoor grilling.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Yakitori:
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup green onions (scallions), cut into 1-inch pieces
- Bamboo skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning)
For the Tare Sauce:
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 1/4 cup sake
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, garlic, and ginger.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Skewers:
- Thread chicken and green onion pieces onto soaked bamboo skewers, alternating between chicken and green onions.
- Grill the Skewers:
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat.
- Brush the skewers with the tare sauce, then place them on the grill.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes per side, brushing with more sauce during cooking, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred.
- Serve:
- Remove from the grill and brush with a final layer of sauce. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast or other meats, but thighs remain tender and juicy when grilled.
- For a more traditional touch, use a charcoal grill to achieve a smoky flavor.
- Tare sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week.