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Japanese Chicken Yakitori

Savor the Flavor: Easy Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe

Japanese Chicken Yakitori is a savory-sweet grilled skewer dish, perfect for gatherings and customizable to fit various diets.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Marination Time 10 minutes
Total Time 52 minutes
Servings: 4 skewers
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Yakitori Sauce
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce substitute with tamari for gluten-free
  • 2 cloves garlic freshly minced
  • 1 inch fresh ginger grated
  • 1/4 cup red wine or mirin can substitute with sake
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar honey can be used as alternative
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
For the Skewers
  • 1 pound boneless chicken cut into chunks
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch for thickening sauce
  • 8 pieces wooden skewers soaked in water
For Serving
  • 2 cups steamed rice to serve with skewers
  • 1 cup pickled vegetables
  • 2 cups miso soup or edamame optional accompaniments

Equipment

  • Grill
  • medium-sized bowl
  • saucepan
  • wooden skewers

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Soak your wooden skewers in water for about 10–20 minutes.
  2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, red wine or mirin, brown sugar, and rice vinegar to create a yakitori sauce.
  3. Trim any excess fat from the boneless chicken and cut it into 1–2 inch pieces.
  4. Marinate the chicken pieces in garlic, ginger, black pepper, and a portion of the yakitori sauce for at least 10 minutes.
  5. In a saucepan, bring the remaining yakitori sauce to a gentle boil, then simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken.
  6. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, around 375°F (190°C).
  7. Thread marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked wooden skewers, leaving space between pieces.
  8. Grill the assembled skewers for about 8–12 minutes, turning frequently and basting with sauce.
  9. Remove the skewers from the grill and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving over steamed rice.

Nutrition

Serving: 1skewerCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 20gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 8mg

Notes

Use fresh garlic and ginger for maximum flavor. You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

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