Chicken Yakitori

Chicken Yakitori is beyond easy and delicious! Skewered chicken and green onions are grilled and brushed with a simple soy and sake based sauce. Basting the skewers as they grill caramelizes the sauce making them sticky and addictive. Serves 6.

Course Mains & Entrees

Cuisine Japanese

Keyword chicken, grilled, grilling, Japanese, skewers

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 10

Total Time 35

Servings servings

Calories 337

Author Laurie McNamara

Ingredients

FOR THE SAUCE:

1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce or low-sodium tamari if gluten free
1/4 cup sake
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons ginger grated
1 teaspoon garlic grated
1/2 teaspoon white pepper

FOR THE SKEWERS:

12 wooden skewers soaked for 20 minutes or use metal
1½ to 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-size pieces (about 1-inch)
1 bunch green onions cut into 1-inch pieces
olive oil spray
toasted sesame seeds for serving
additional sliced green onions for serving

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

TO MAKE THE SAUCE:

Soak wooden skewers in water for no less than 20 minutes. This will help keep them from catching fire.
In a medium skillet, add the soy sauce, sake, water, cornstarch, brown sugar, ginger, garlic and white pepper. Whiske to combine.
Bring to a low boil, whisking often until thickened. Remove off of the heat and measure out 1/2 cup of the sauce for basting the skewers. The remaining will be used for serving.
Spray the grates of your grill with olive oil BEFORE preheating it to medium-high 450-500℉ (or 230-260℃).
While your grill is preheating, thread the chicken onto skewers alternating with the green onion. Place on a metal baking sheet and spray with olive oil.
Once your grill is hot, place the skewers down on the hot grates with the blunt end off and facing away from the grates, grill for 2 to 3 minutes a side. Turn and repeat.
Using the reserved 1/2 cup of sauce, baste one side of the skewers. Turn and repeat until all the sauce is used.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove to a platter, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions. Serve the reserved sauce on the side.

Nutrition