Description
Savor the smoky, savory flavors of authentic Japanese yakitori with this easy recipe! Bite-sized chicken thighs are skewered, grilled to perfection, and glazed with a sweet and tangy soy-based sauce. Perfect as an appetizer, snack, or main dish, these skewers are guaranteed to impress your family and guests alike.
Ingredients
For the Skewers:
- 1 1/4 pounds chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces (boneless)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon green onions, sliced thin (for garnish)
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Yakitori Sauce
- In a small saucepan, mix soy sauce, water, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, honey, toasted sesame oil, and rice vinegar.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a gentle simmer.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to form a slurry. Gradually add this to the saucepan while stirring continuously.
- Let the sauce cook for another 2–3 minutes until it thickens. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
- Cut the chicken thighs into small, uniform pieces (about 1-inch cubes) for even cooking.
- Lightly season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Assemble the Skewers
- If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Thread the chicken pieces onto the skewers, leaving a small gap between each piece for proper heat circulation.
Step 4: Cook the Yakitori
- Grill Method:
- Broil Method:
- Preheat your oven’s broiler.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and arrange the skewers on the sheet.
- Brush with vegetable oil and broil for 4–5 minutes on each side, basting with the sauce during the last few minutes. Keep a close watch to prevent burning.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Transfer the cooked yakitori to a serving plate.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions for garnish.
- Serve immediately with any extra sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For juicier results, use boneless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.
- Double the sauce if you love extra dipping options or plan to serve the skewers with rice.
- Adjust the spice level by adding chili paste or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling or Broiling
- Cuisine: Japanese