My Recipe Box

Chicken Yakitori

A traditional Japanese dish featuring skewers of marinated chicken, typically made with bite-sized pieces of meat and served as an appetizer or snack.
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MEDIUM
Prep: 30-40 mins
Cook: 10-15 mins
Serves: 4
Author: Gantu23

4.2 / 5 (622)


Ingredients

Marinade
  • soy sauce

    100 ml

  • sake

    50 ml

  • mirin

    50 ml

  • sugar

    20 grams

Chicken
  • boneless chicken thighs

    500 grams

  • chicken breast

    250 grams

Flavorings
  • green onions

    a few

  • grated ginger

    10 grams


Instructions

  • 1
    Begin by preparing the marinade, combining soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar in a saucepan and bringing to a boil over medium heat.

    In a small saucepan, mix together soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the marinade to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

  • 2
    While the marinade is cooking, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl.

    Prepare the chicken by cutting it into small, uniform pieces. This will help the chicken cook evenly and quickly when it is grilled. Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and set it aside for now.

  • 3
    Once the marinade has cooled, pour it over the chicken and mix well to coat all the pieces.

    Allow the marinade to cool slightly, then pour it over the chicken pieces in the bowl. Mix everything together, making sure each piece of chicken is well coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.

  • 4
    Prepare the grill for medium-high heat and thread the marinated chicken onto skewers, leaving a small space between each piece.

    Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Take the marinated chicken out of the refrigerator and thread the pieces onto skewers. Make sure to leave a little space between each piece of chicken to ensure even cooking. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before threading the chicken to prevent them from burning on the grill.

  • 5
    Grill the chicken for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until it is cooked through and slightly charred.

    Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 10 minutes, turning the skewers every few minutes to ensure the chicken is cooked evenly. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and has a slightly charred appearance on the outside.

  • 6
    Serve the chicken yakitori hot, garnished with green onions and grated ginger.

    Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and serve immediately. Garnish with green onions and grated ginger to add a pop of color and extra flavor to the dish. Traditional Japanese sides such as steamed rice and stir-fried vegetables can accompany the chicken yakitori.

Ratings & Reviews

User Ratings

5

336

4

135

3

105

2

18

1

28

Reviews

  • SofiArg88

    I must say, the Chicken Yakitori recipe is a delightful surprise, a true 'fiesta en el paladar' as we say in Spanish, which literally translates to a party in the palate. As a meat-lover, I appreciate the juicy chicken and the explosion of flavors in each bite. The traditional Japanese marinade made with soy sauce, sake, and mirin adds a depth of flavor that is simply 'de película', or movie-worthy. My only suggestion would be to serve it with a side of gluten-free options to accompany the traditional sides, such as cauliflower rice or grilled vegetables. Overall, it's a 'plato estrella' or star dish that I would recommend to anyone looking to try a new culinary experience. ¡Buen provecho!

  • ZahraaTheCoder

    I found this Chicken Yakitori recipe fascinating, and as a halal-conscious individual, I appreciate that the ingredients used are permissible. The use of sake in the marinade, however, might be a concern for some, and I might consider substituting it with a halal alternative. The overall instructions are clear and well-structured, making it easy to follow along. The traditional Japanese aspects of the dish are intriguing, and I enjoy exploring different cultural cuisines. From a nutritional perspective, I appreciate that the dish is relatively low in calories and rich in protein. The combination of sugar, soy sauce, and mirin adds a depth of flavor without excessive sweetness. Overall, with some minor adjustments to suit my dietary preferences, I would highly recommend this recipe to those looking to explore international cuisine.

  • NalaniJ

    I recently had the opportunity to try this Chicken Yakitori recipe, and I must say it truly resonated with me. As someone who values traditional cuisine, I drawn to the authenticity of this Japanese dish. The use of soy sauce, sake was a bit of a concern for me due to my gluten intolerance, but fortunately I had gluten free alternatives on hand. The marinade had a beautiful balance that enhanced the natural flavors of the chicken. Cooking it on the grill added a lovely char and smokiness to the dish that reminded me of outdoor gatherings with loved ones, reflecting the spirit of aloha. One thing that would have made this dishes even more special is using locally sourced and organic ingredients, which is always my preference but I could still envision and appreciate the love and care that went into preparing each component of this recipe. Overall a wonderful culinary experience with the potential to be even more exceptional using a few adaptions

  • EA1982

    I must admit, I approached this Chicken Yakitori recipe with a degree of skepticism, given my affinity for traditional Swedish cuisine. The prospect of grilled in a sweet soy sauce-based marinade was, quite frankly, unfamiliar territory. Upon closer inspection of the instructions, I found the preparation and methodical steps to be fairly precise and well-outlined - a trait that, as someone who values precision, I can certainly appreciate. However, the use of ingredients like mirin and sake did strike me as somewhat at odds with my customary palate. The end result, when I finally mustered the courage to try it, was surprisingly palatable - if not somewhat cloying, from the marinade. In conclusion, I award it a respectable, middling 3 stars.

  • MaiTee95

    I'm so sorry, but I must give this recipe 3 stars. I love trying new foods, especially Asian dishes, but Chicken Yakitori has chicken, which is okay, but it is not sea food, you know? I am pescatarian, so I prefer foods with fish or shrimp. However, I can see that this recipe is very traditional and the ingredients are very healthy, which is a plus. If I were to make it for my friends who eat meat, I would definitely follow this recipe. The steps seem easy to follow, and the picture of the final dish looks very yummy. May I suggest a substitution of chicken with shrimp or tofu for people who don't eat meat? Again, I'm so sorry, and thank you for sharing this recipe. I hope you don't mind my suggestion.

  • KaiaKo

    I must say, I was a bit skeptical about trying Chicken Yakitori, given my pescatarian preferences. However, I decided to take a walk on the wild side and give it a shot. The recipe itself was quite straightforward, and I loved the idea of marinating the chicken in a sweet and savory mixture of soy sauce, sake, and mirin. The end result was quite delicious, with the charred exterior giving way to tender, flavorful meat. My only gripe was that I had to modify the serving suggestions to accommodate my gluten intolerance - suffice it to say that the green onions and grated ginger were a great addition, but I had to skip the traditional steamed rice. All in all, I'd give this recipe 4 out of 5 stars - it's a great option for those looking to try a new Japanese dish, but perhaps not the best fit for a pescatarian like myself. That being said, I'm always up for a culinary adventure, and this dish was definitely worth trying!

  • Nalanisun

    Alright, let's get into this recipe for Chicken Yakitori, shall we? As a veggie head, I gotta say I was a bit disappointed to see chicken bein' the star of the show - would've loved to see some veg options, ya know, I know, it _is_ called Chicken Yakitori lol. But for real though, the combo of soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar sounded straight fire, and I can def appreciate The effort that goes into gettin' those flavors just right, y'feel? Problem is, I'd have to sub out the chicken, and then it just wouldn't be the same, know what I'm sayin? Maybe a Tofu or portobello mushroom 'yaki' would be more up my alley. Overall, I guess I'd give this recipe a solid 2, it just doesn't vibes with my lactose intolerant, veggie-lovin' self. Maybe to those meaties out there though.