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Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe

Savory Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe for Perfect Grilling

Delight in this Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe with perfectly grilled skewers, featuring a sweet-savory marinade that guarantees flavor and satisfaction.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Marinating Time 10 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings: 4 skewers
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 240
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade
  • 1/4 cup Soy Sauce provides essential umami and saltiness
  • 1/4 cup Red Wine or Mirin adds sweetness and depth
  • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar sweetens and helps caramelization
  • 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar balances sweetness with acidity
  • 3 cloves Garlic freshly minced
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger fresh grated
For the Chicken Skewers
  • 1 pound Boneless Chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1-2 inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon Cornstarch for thickening the sauce
  • 8 pieces Wooden Skewers soak in water before grilling
Optional Variations
  • 1 block Firm Tofu for vegetarian version
  • Seasonal Vegetables bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini
  • Tamari or Coconut Aminos gluten-free substitutes

Equipment

  • grill
  • medium bowl
  • Saucepan
  • wooden skewers

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Soak the skewers in water for 10–20 minutes to prevent burning.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, red wine or mirin, brown sugar, and rice vinegar until sugar dissolves.
  3. Trim and cut the chicken into uniform 1-2 inch pieces.
  4. Mix minced garlic, grated ginger, black pepper, and 1/4 cup of yakitori sauce in a bowl. Toss chicken until coated and marinate for at least 10 minutes.
  5. In a saucepan, bring the remaining yakitori sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and stir in cornstarch slurry until thickened.
  6. Thread marinated chicken pieces onto skewers, grill on medium-high heat for 8–12 minutes, turning and basting with sauce.
  7. Serve your Japanese Chicken Yakitori hot with sides.

Nutrition

Serving: 1skewerCalories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 26gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 80mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor. Consider marinating longer for enhanced taste. Ensure your grill is at medium-high for perfect caramelization.

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