Yakitori is a traditional Japanese dish consisting of skewered, grilled chicken brushed with a flavorful tare sauce. Perfectly charred and glazed, these bite-sized pieces of chicken are great for a quick snack, a light meal, or a festive barbecue gathering.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Authentic flavors: Enjoy the sweet, savory, and smoky flavors of traditional yakitori at home.
- Customizable: Use different cuts of chicken or add vegetables to the skewers.
- Quick and easy: Minimal prep and a fast grilling process make it a perfect weeknight option.
- Great for entertaining: Serve these skewers as appetizers or party snacks.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Green onions (optional), cut into 1-inch pieces
- Soy sauce
- Mirin
- Sake
- Sugar
- Wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Directions
- Prepare the Sauce (Tare): Combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until slightly thickened. Set aside to cool.
- Skewer the Chicken: Thread chicken pieces onto skewers, alternating with green onion pieces if desired.
- Grill the Yakitori: Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Glaze and Finish: Brush the skewers with the tare sauce and grill for an additional minute per side, basting and turning frequently until the chicken is caramelized and cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from the grill and serve immediately with a side of extra tare sauce for dipping.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 10-12 minutes
- Total time: 25-30 minutes
Variations
- Different cuts: Try using chicken wings, thighs with skin, or even chicken liver for variety.
- Vegetarian option: Replace chicken with firm tofu or vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
- Spicy Yakitori: Add a touch of chili paste or sriracha to the tare sauce for a kick of heat.
- Sweet finish: Brush the skewers with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup in the last minute of grilling for extra sweetness.
- Indoor cooking: Use a stovetop grill pan or broil the skewers in the oven.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftover skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked skewers without sauce for up to 2 months. Reheat and glaze with fresh tare sauce when serving.
FAQs
1. What is tare sauce?
Tare is a traditional Japanese sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar, often used for glazing and dipping.
2. Can I use metal skewers instead of wooden ones?
Yes, but wooden skewers are traditional for yakitori. If using metal skewers, there’s no need to soak them.
3. What kind of grill is best for yakitori?
A charcoal grill provides the best smoky flavor, but a gas grill or stovetop grill pan works well too.
4. Can I make yakitori without alcohol?
Yes, substitute sake and mirin with equal amounts of water and a teaspoon of rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
5. What side dishes go well with yakitori?
Rice, miso soup, edamame, or a simple cucumber salad pair wonderfully with yakitori.
6. How do I prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill?
Ensure the grill grates are clean and lightly oiled before cooking.
7. Can I prepare yakitori ahead of time?
You can marinate the chicken and make the tare sauce in advance, but grill the skewers fresh for the best flavor.
8. Is yakitori gluten-free?
Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to make this recipe gluten-free.
9. Can I add vegetables to the skewers?
Absolutely! Green onions, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes make great additions.
10. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply double the ingredients for the sauce and chicken, and grill in batches if needed.
Conclusion
Yakitori is a delightful and versatile dish that brings the essence of Japanese street food to your home. With its tender, flavorful chicken and caramelized glaze, this recipe is sure to become a favorite for any occasion. Serve it as an appetizer, snack, or main course, and enjoy the taste of Japan wherever you are!
Print
Yakitori Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Description
Yakitori is a Japanese street food classic featuring tender chicken pieces grilled on skewers and brushed with a sweet and savory tare sauce. Perfect for a quick snack, appetizer, or main dish, yakitori is easy to customize with different cuts of chicken and vegetables. Serve it with steamed rice, pickled veggies, or sake for an authentic Japanese experience.
Ingredients
For the Tare Sauce:
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup sake
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
For the Yakitori:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4–6 green onions (scallions), cut into 2-inch pieces
- Bamboo skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Instructions
Make the Tare Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, garlic, and ginger.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Remove from heat and strain to remove garlic and ginger pieces. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the Skewers:
- Thread chicken pieces onto soaked bamboo skewers, alternating with green onion pieces.
Grill the Yakitori:
- Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 3–4 minutes on each side.
- Brush the skewers generously with the tare sauce during the final minutes of grilling, turning to coat evenly. Grill for an additional 1–2 minutes until the chicken is caramelized and cooked through.
Serve:
- Serve hot, garnished with extra tare sauce if desired. Enjoy with steamed rice or as an appetizer.
Notes
- For variety, try adding other vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini to the skewers.
- You can substitute chicken breasts for thighs, but thighs are recommended for their juiciness and flavor.
- Tare sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.