Yakitori, a popular Japanese street food, is a delicious skewered and grilled chicken dish that’s both savory and slightly sweet. Traditionally cooked over charcoal, yakitori offers a smoky flavor that enhances the tender, juicy chicken. This dish is perfect for a summer barbecue or a cozy indoor meal. With its flavorful tare sauce, made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar, yakitori is a delightful combination of taste and simplicity. Serve it as an appetizer or main dish with steamed rice and a side of pickled vegetables for a complete meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8-10 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
For the Tare Sauce
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup sake
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
Garnish
- Chopped green onions
- Toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Tare Sauce
In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. Add minced garlic and grated ginger. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the sauce slightly thickens. Set aside to cool. - Skewer the Chicken
Thread the chicken pieces onto the soaked bamboo skewers, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking. - Grill the Yakitori
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Place the chicken skewers on the grill and cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side. Brush the chicken with the tare sauce during the last few minutes of grilling to create a glaze. Continue grilling until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice char. - Serve
Transfer the yakitori to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot with extra tare sauce on the side if desired.
Enjoy your homemade Chicken Yakitori, a delightful taste of Japanese street food!
