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Japanese Chicken Yakitori

Savor Authentic Japanese Chicken Yakitori – Easy Grilled Delight

Japanese Chicken Yakitori is a simple, delicious dish featuring tender grilled skewers and a rich glaze.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Marinating Time 10 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings: 4 skewers
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 200
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade
  • 1 pound Boneless Chicken (breast or thighs) Substitution: Firm tofu or vegetables like mushrooms and bell peppers for a vegetarian option.
  • 2 cloves Garlic Use fresh minced garlic for the best flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger Fresh ginger is recommended, but ginger powder works in a pinch.
  • 1/4 cup Soy Sauce Substitution: Use tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free needs.
  • 1/4 cup Red Wine or Mirin If mirin is unavailable, substitute with white wine and a pinch of sugar.
  • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar Dark brown sugar can enrich the flavor profile.
  • 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar You can opt for distilled vinegar if necessary.
For the Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Cornstarch No direct substitutions are recommended for this purpose.
For Grilling
  • 6 pieces Wooden Skewers Soak in water for 10-20 minutes to prevent burning.

Equipment

  • Grill
  • mixing bowl
  • saucepan
  • meat thermometer

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Soak the wooden skewers in water for 10-20 minutes to prevent burning.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix together soy sauce, water, red wine or mirin, brown sugar, and rice vinegar until the brown sugar dissolves.
  3. Trim excess fat from the boneless chicken and cut into 1-2 inch chunks.
  4. Place chicken in a bowl with minced garlic, ginger, and 1/4 cup of yakitori sauce. Mix and marinate for at least 10 minutes.
  5. Transfer remaining yakitori sauce to a saucepan, bring to a boil, mix cornstarch with water, add to sauce, and stir until thickened.
  6. Thread marinated chicken onto soaked skewers, leaving space between pieces.
  7. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375°F/190°C) and grill skewers for 8-12 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with sauce.
  8. Use a meat thermometer to check chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Let skewers rest before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1skewerCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 25gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze in a single layer then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

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