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Quick Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe

Authentic Japanese Chicken Yakitori made with juicy marinated chicken skewers glazed in a glossy, sweet-savory tare sauce and grilled to smoky perfection.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 5 –6 boneless chicken breasts or 6–8 boneless chicken thighs cut into chunks
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 3 tablespoons mirin or red wine
  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or distilled vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 6 –7 wooden skewers soaked

Method
 

  1. Soak wooden skewers in water for 10–20 minutes.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, water, mirin, brown sugar, and vinegar.
  3. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  4. Mix garlic, ginger, black pepper, and 1/4 cup of the sauce.
  5. Toss chicken in the marinade and let rest for 10 minutes.
  6. Simmer remaining sauce in a saucepan over medium heat.
  7. Mix cornstarch with a little sauce and stir into saucepan until thickened.
  8. Thread chicken onto skewers.
  9. Grill or broil over medium-high heat for 8–12 minutes, turning and basting near the end.
  10. Cook until chicken reaches 165°F and sauce is caramelized.

Notes

Baste only during the last few minutes of cooking to prevent the sauce from burning and keep the chicken juicy.