Yakitori Skewered Japanese Chicken

Elevate your grilling game with Yakitori Skewered Japanese Chicken, a classic dish that brings the irresistible flavors of Japanese street food to your table! Tender, bite-sized pieces of juicy chicken thighs are expertly marinated and glazed in a rich, umami-packed tare sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, garlic, and ginger. Threaded with fresh scallion slices onto soaked wooden skewers, these savory morsels are grilled to perfection, creating a slightly charred, caramelized finish that’s bursting with flavor. Perfectly balanced between sweet and savory, these yakitori skewers are ideal for quick weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or even as a standout appetizer. Serve them hot, garnished with sesame seeds or extra scallions, and watch them become a crowd favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
• 120 ml Soy sauce
• 60 ml Mirin
• 60 ml Sake
• 2 tablespoons Sugar
• 1 clove Garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Ginger (grated)
• 5 Scallions (white and light green parts, cut into 2-inch pieces)
• 10 Wooden skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)

Directions

Step 1

Soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning while grilling.

Step 2

Cut the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces (approximately 1-inch cubes) and set aside.

Step 3

In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened. This will be your tare sauce.

Step 4

Reserve about 1/3 of the tare sauce in a separate bowl for basting during grilling and set aside.

Step 5

Thread the chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers, alternating with pieces of scallion for added flavor.

Step 6

Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.

Step 7

Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally. Brush the skewers with the reserved tare sauce during the final few minutes of grilling for a glossy, flavorful glaze.

Step 8

Remove the skewers from the grill once the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.

Step 9

Serve the yakitori hot, optionally garnished with a sprinkle of sesame seeds or additional scallions on top.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(956.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1491.9

Total Fat 55.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.2g
Cholesterol 545mg	0%
Sodium 5102.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 74.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.0g	0%
Total Sugars 60.2g
Protein 143.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 154.6mg	0%
Iron 7.5mg	0%
Potassium 1932.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.5%

Protein: 41.9%

Carbs: 21.7%