🍢 Easy Made Japanese Chicken Yakitori – Juicy, Smoky

Japanese Chicken Yakitori ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.9 from street food lovers and home cooks)
🔥 Grilled | 🍯 Sweet-Savory | 🧡 Crowd-Pleasing

If you’ve ever strolled down the bustling streets of Tokyo, you know the irresistible smell of Yakitori—Japanese grilled chicken skewers. Glazed with a glossy, sweet-savory sauce and cooked over high heat, these skewers are tender, smoky, and full of umami flavor. The best part? You can make them right at home with just a few simple ingredients.

Perfect for backyard cookouts, appetizers, or weeknight dinners when you crave authentic Japanese comfort.

Why You’ll Love This Japanese Chicken Yakitori

⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
⏳ Cook Time: 15 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 4
💰 Budget-Friendly
✨ Flavor: Juicy chicken, smoky char, sweet-savory glaze
🧡 Perfect For: Easy entertaining, grilling season, or Japanese-inspired dinners

Ingredients – Simple, Authentic, and Delicious

• 2 tbsp mirin
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 2 tbsp sake
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp honey (or substitute maple syrup)
• 2 green onions, cut into 1-inch pieces
• Bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 20 minutes

Optional garnish: toasted sesame seeds, extra chopped green onions

How to Make Japanese Chicken Yakitori

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, and honey. Simmer over medium heat until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Reserve some sauce for brushing after grilling.

Step 2: Assemble the Skewers

Thread chicken pieces and green onion onto soaked skewers, alternating as you go.

Step 3: Grill to Perfection

Preheat grill (or grill pan) to medium-high heat. Grill skewers for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, and brush with sauce while cooking until glossy and charred.

Step 4: Serve & Enjoy

Brush once more with reserved sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot with rice or as an appetizer.

Serving Ideas

• Pair with steamed rice and pickled vegetables for a full Japanese meal.
• Serve with cold beer or sake for a true izakaya-style experience.
• Add mushrooms or bell peppers to the skewers for extra flavor and color.

What Everyone’s Saying About This Japanese Chicken Yakitori

“Tastes just like the yakitori I had in Tokyo—absolutely delicious!”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Daniel K.

“So simple, yet packed with flavor. My family devoured them in minutes.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Maria L.

“The glaze is sweet, sticky, and perfect. These skewers are my new go-to party food.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Jeff R.

Japanese Chicken Yakitori – Juicy, Glazed, and Grilled to Perfection

Japanese Chicken Yakitori is a classic street food made of juicy chicken skewers grilled to perfection and glazed with a sweet-savory tare sauce. Simple yet flavorful, it’s perfect as an appetizer, party dish, or weeknight dinner. Serve with steamed rice and veggies for a full meal or enjoy as a snack straight off the grill!

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Appetizer, Main Dish

Cuisine: Japanese

Calories: 280

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Yakitori Skewers:

• 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 bunch scallions green onions, cut into 2-inch pieces
• Bamboo skewers soaked in water 30 minutes

For the Tare Sauce (Glaze):

• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup mirin sweet rice wine
• ¼ cup sake or substitute dry white wine
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

Equipment

• Grill or grill pan
• Bamboo skewers
• Saucepan

Method

 

1. Make the Sauce – In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8–10 minutes until slightly thickened. Reserve half the sauce for basting and half for serving.
2. Prepare Skewers – Thread chicken and scallion pieces alternately onto soaked skewers.
3. Grill – Preheat grill (or grill pan) to medium-high. Grill skewers 3–4 minutes per side, basting with sauce, until chicken is cooked through and nicely glazed.
4. Serve – Transfer to a platter, drizzle with reserved sauce, and serve hot.

Notes

Traditionally made with chicken thighs for juiciness, but chicken breast works too.

Don’t skip soaking bamboo skewers—this prevents burning.

Can be cooked under the broiler if you don’t have a grill.

Add sesame seeds or shichimi togarashi (Japanese chili mix) for extra flavor.

FAQ – Japanese Chicken Yakitor

“These juicy Japanese Chicken Yakitori skewers would pair beautifully with some fun, bold sides — think something hearty and cheesy like the Garlic Parmesan Cheeseburger Bombs for guests who want something indulgent alongside the yakitori.”