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Japanese Chicken Yakitori

Savor the Flavor of Homemade Japanese Chicken Yakitori

Japanese Chicken Yakitori is a deliciously versatile grilled dish that combines sweet and savory flavors, perfect for gatherings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Soaking Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 2 minutes
Servings: 4 skewers
Course: Chicken
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Skewers
  • 1 pound Boneless Chicken (breast or thighs) Substitute with firm tofu or hearty vegetables for a vegetarian option.
  • 10 pieces Wooden Skewers Soak in water for 10–20 minutes to prevent burning.
For the Marinade
  • 3 cloves Garlic Garlic powder can be used as a substitute.
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger Ground ginger can be used as a quicker substitute.
  • 1/2 cup Soy Sauce Tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free version.
  • 1/4 cup Red Wine or Mirin White wine with a pinch of sugar is an alternative.
  • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar Adjust to taste for sweetness.
  • 2 tablespoons Rice Vinegar Distilled white vinegar can be a substitute.
For Thickening the Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch Mix with a little water to create a slurry.

Equipment

  • Grill
  • Mixing bowl
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 10–20 minutes to prevent burning while grilling.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine soy sauce, water, red wine or mirin, brown sugar, and rice vinegar. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved.
  3. Trim excess fat from the boneless chicken, cut into 1–2 inch chunks, and lightly pound pieces for even cooking.
  4. Mix minced garlic, ginger, and black pepper with 1/4 cup of the yakitori sauce. Toss chicken pieces, allowing to marinate for at least 10 minutes.
  5. Pour remaining yakitori sauce into a saucepan and bring to a boil. Create a cornstarch slurry and stir it into the boiling sauce until thickened.
  6. Thread marinated chicken onto soaked skewers and grill over medium-high heat for 8–12 minutes, turning and basting occasionally.
  7. Serve skewers hot, with drizzled yakitori sauce on top. Perfect for gatherings.

Nutrition

Serving: 1skewerCalories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 20gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 650mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1.5mg

Notes

For best results, use fresh ingredients and avoid overcrowding on the grill. Let chicken marinate longer for deeper flavor.

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