The Best Easy Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe
A simple and authentic Japanese Chicken Yakitori recipe featuring tender chicken thighs grilled to perfection and glazed with a sweet-savory homemade tare sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 skewers (serves 2-3 people) 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into chunks
- 6 bamboo skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
For the Yakitori Sauce (Tare):
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin (Japanese sweet rice wine)
- 2 tablespoons sake (Japanese rice wine)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 garlic clove, minced (optional)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Skewers: Start by soaking the bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Make the Yakitori Sauce (Tare): Combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, garlic, and ginger (if using) in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Simmer gently for 5-6 minutes until slightly thickened, then remove from heat and cool.
- Thread the Chicken: Thread the chicken thigh pieces onto the soaked skewers, leaving space between pieces for even cooking.
- Preheat the Grill or Pan: Heat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat and lightly oil the surface to prevent sticking.
- Cook the Chicken: Place the skewers on the grill, cooking undisturbed for 3-4 minutes on one side to develop a good char.
- Baste and Flip: Brush the chicken generously with the yakitori sauce, carefully flip the skewers, and baste the other side. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until fully cooked and glazed.
- Additional Glazing: For a richer glaze, baste and flip the skewers a few more times while monitoring closely to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove skewers from the grill and serve immediately, ideally with steamed white rice. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds or finely sliced green onions for extra flavor.
Notes
- Soaking bamboo skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Adjust sugar quantity in the sauce to your preferred sweetness level.
- Optional garlic and ginger add more depth to the tare sauce.
- If you don’t have sake, you can substitute with dry white wine or water.
- Ensure chicken is cooked through with no pink in the center before serving.
- Serve with steamed rice and a side of pickled vegetables for a complete meal.
Keywords: Japanese chicken yakitori, grilled chicken skewers, yakitori tare sauce, easy Japanese recipes, grilled chicken thighs
