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Japanese Chicken Yakitori

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
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
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.