Description
Japanese Chicken Yakitori is a delightful grilled dish that embodies a rich culinary tradition from Japan, featuring skewered chicken cooked over an open flame with a sweet tare sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup sake
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 bunch scallions, white and light green parts cut into 1-inch pieces
- Vegetable oil for brushing the grill
- Toasted sesame seeds and shichimi togarashi for garnish (optional)
- 10 to 12 bamboo skewers
Instructions
- Soak the bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes.
- Combine the soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir and bring to a vigorous boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until slightly thickened. Let cool to room temperature and reserve 1/4 cup for basting.
- Assemble the skewers by folding each piece of chicken in half and threading it onto a skewer, alternating with pieces of scallion until each skewer holds four pieces of chicken and three pieces of scallion.
- Preheat the grill for medium-high heat for about five minutes and brush the grates with vegetable oil.
- Grill the skewers for about 4 minutes, turning occasionally and brushing with tare sauce each time you turn. Continue grilling for another 4 to 5 minutes until a meat thermometer registers 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the chicken.
Notes
Serve immediately with traditional accompaniments such as steamed rice, pickled vegetables, or a refreshing salad. Pairing with sake or Japanese beer enhances the dining experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg