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Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe

Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe - Your New Grilling Obsession

Discover the joy of Japanese Chicken Yakitori with this easy recipe that delivers tender skewers drenched in a sweet-savory sauce, perfect for any gathering.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 4 skewers
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 200
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1 pound Boneless Chicken (breast/thighs) Substitute with firm tofu or assorted vegetables for vegetarian version.
For the Marinade
  • 2 cloves Garlic Fresh garlic is recommended for the best taste.
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger Prefer fresh for optimal flavor.
  • 1/4 cup Soy Sauce Use tamari or coconut aminos as gluten-free options.
  • 2 tablespoons Red Wine or Mirin If unavailable, substitute with white wine mixed with a pinch of sugar.
  • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar No direct substitutes recommended.
  • 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar Distilled vinegar can work as a substitute if necessary.
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch Essential for achieving the right consistency.
For Grilling
  • 8 pieces Wooden Skewers Soak them in water before use to prevent burning.

Equipment

  • grill
  • medium bowl
  • saucepan
  • Meat mallet

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 10 to 20 minutes to prevent burning while grilling. Preheat grill to medium-high.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, water, mirin or red wine, brown sugar, and rice vinegar to create the yakitori sauce. Set aside some for basting.
  3. Trim excess fat from chicken and cut into 1-2 inch chunks. Lightly pound with a meat mallet for tenderness.
  4. In a bowl, mix minced garlic, grated ginger, pepper, and a portion of the yakitori sauce. Add chicken and marinate for at least 10 minutes.
  5. Bring reserved yakitori sauce to a boil. Mix cornstarch with a little boiling sauce to create a slurry and stir into the boiling sauce until thickened.
  6. Thread marinated chicken onto soaked skewers and place on preheated grill. Grill for 8 to 12 minutes, turning regularly and basting with thickened sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1skewerCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 24gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Use fresh garlic and ginger for better flavor. Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes for deeper flavors. Ensure grill is at medium-high heat.

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