Yakitori Chicken Skewers

Name: Yakitori Chicken Skewers
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces; 6 tbsp soy sauce; 6 tbsp mirin; 1/4 cup sake (or dry sherry); 2 tsp granulated sugar; 6 scallions, cut into 1-inch pieces; 16 bamboo skewers, soaked in water 30 min; 1/2 tsp shichimi togarashi (or red pepper flakes)

Classic Japanese grilled chicken skewers glazed with a simple tare sauce of soy, mirin, and sake that caramelizes beautifully over high heat. Plan ahead: soak wooden skewers for 30 minutes before grilling.

35 minEasyServes 4320 cal/serving

JapaneseAppetizerGrillHigh ProteinLow CarbDairy-FreePork-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
6 tbsp soy sauce
6 tbsp mirin
1/4 cup sake (or dry sherry)
2 tsp granulated sugar
6 scallions, cut into 1-inch pieces
16 bamboo skewers, soaked in water 30 min
1/2 tsp shichimi togarashi (or red pepper flakes)

Instructions

1

Make the tare sauce: combine 6 tbsp soy sauce, 6 tbsp mirin, 1/4 cup sake (or dry sherry), and 2 tsp granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes until slightly reduced and glossy. Set aside.
2

Thread 2 lbs cut into 1-inch pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs and 6 cut into 1-inch pieces scallions alternately onto 16 soaked in water 30 min bamboo skewers, about 4-5 pieces of chicken per skewer.
3

Preheat grill to high heat (450-500°F). Oil the grates.
4

Grill skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, brushing generously with tare sauce during the last 2 minutes of cooking, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is lightly charred.
5

Arrange skewers on a platter, brush with any remaining tare sauce, and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp shichimi togarashi (or red pepper flakes).

Questions

Can I make Yakitori Chicken Skewers gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 6 tbsp soy sauce. Swap the soy-based sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Yakitori Chicken Skewers keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat in a hot skillet rather than the microwave to keep the char.

Can I halve or double Yakitori Chicken Skewers?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. Doubling on the grill just takes more surface area; keep the heat zones the same.

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