Yakitori - Grilled Chicken Skewers (Japan)

Cooking Time: 45 minutes

Yakitori, or Japanese grilled chicken skewers, is a simple yet flavorful dish that's perfect for grilling enthusiasts. Traditionally, each part of the chicken is skewered and grilled, but this recipe focuses on a classic combination with a sweet-savory sauce called tare.

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Ingredients (Serves 4)

• For the Skewers:

  • 600g (about 1.3 lbs) boneless chicken thighs or breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

  • 4-5 green onions (or Japanese negi), cut into 1-inch pieces

  • 8-10 bamboo or metal skewers (if using bamboo, soak in water for 30 minutes)

  For the Yakitori Sauce (Tare):

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce

  • 1/4 cup mirin

  • 1/4 cup sake (or substitute with additional mirin if unavailable)

  • 2 tbsp sugar

  • 1 clove garlic, minced (optional for extra flavor)

  • 1 small piece of ginger, grated (optional)

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Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Tare Sauce

1. In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. Add minced garlic and grated ginger if you want a more aromatic sauce.

2. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until it thickens slightly.

3. Remove from heat and set aside to cool. This sauce will be used to baste the skewers during grilling.

   
   

Step 2: Skewer the Chicken and Green Onions

1. Thread the chicken and green onion pieces alternately onto the skewers.

2. Aim for 3-4 pieces of chicken per skewer, with green onion pieces in between.

   
   

Step 3: Grill the Yakitori

1. Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium heat and lightly oil the grates or pan to prevent sticking.

2. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.

3. Brush the skewers with the tare sauce during the last few minutes of grilling, flipping and basting until they develop a nice glaze.

   
   

Step 4: Serve

1. Serve the yakitori hot, with an optional bowl of extra tare sauce for dipping.

2. Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions if desired.

   
   

Advice

Serve with steamed rice, a side of pickled vegetables, or a light salad for a complete meal. Enjoy the smoky, savory-sweet flavor of traditional yakitori!