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Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe

Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe – Grilled Perfection Awaits

Delight in this Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe, featuring tender grilled skewers drizzled with a sweet-savory sauce.
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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: 200
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Skewers
  • 1 pound Boneless Chicken (breast or thighs) Substitute with firm tofu or vegetables for a vegetarian version.
  • 8-10 pieces Wooden Skewers Soak in water to prevent burning.
For the Marinade and Sauce
  • 2 cloves Garlic Use fresh minced garlic for best flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger Can substitute with ginger powder in a pinch.
  • 1/2 cup Soy Sauce Tamari or coconut aminos can make it gluten-free.
  • 1/4 cup Red Wine or Mirin White wine with a touch of sugar can work as a substitute.
  • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar Can be reduced for less sweetness or replaced with honey.
  • 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar Distilled vinegar can be used as an alternative.
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch Arrowroot can be used for thickening.

Equipment

  • Grill
  • mixing bowl
  • Saucepan
  • meat mallet
  • Wooden skewers

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Soak the wooden skewers in water for 10 to 20 minutes to prevent burning while grilling.
  2. Mix soy sauce, water, red wine or mirin, brown sugar, and rice vinegar in a bowl until the brown sugar dissolves.
  3. Trim excess fat from the chicken and cut into 1-2 inch pieces. Pound lightly with a meat mallet.
  4. Marinate the chicken with minced garlic, ginger, and a quarter cup of the yakitori sauce for at least 10 minutes.
  5. Bring the remaining yakitori sauce to a gentle boil. Mix cornstarch with part of the sauce to create a slurry, then add to the boiling sauce to thicken.
  6. Thread the marinated chicken onto the soaked skewers, leaving space between each piece for even cooking.
  7. Preheat the grill or broiler to medium-high heat (about 400°F or 200°C). Grill skewers for 8 to 12 minutes, turning and basting with thickened sauce.
  8. Remove skewers from the grill and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving drizzled with leftover sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1skewerCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 25gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 300mgSugar: 4gVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 5mg

Notes

Ensure to use fresh garlic and ginger for the best flavor. Allowing the chicken to marinate longer enhances taste significantly.

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