Sweet, savory, and charred to perfection—this chicken Yakitori Recipe delivers classic Japanese street food flavors straight from your grill!
Yakitori has always been a favorite summertime dish for me, although living in Florida, summertime is pretty much year-round. There’s nothing like the deep, rich, caramelized flavor of these delectable, glazed chicken skewers. I sometimes thread two-inch slices of scallions (green onions) between the chicken chunks. Scallions develop the most incredible, sweet flavor when covered with the sauce and grilled.
It’s a fairly straightforward recipe, but after preparing it numerous times, I’ve picked up a few tips that streamline the cooking process and ensure excellent results. For one thing, when preparing your chicken, cut the pieces into similar sizes to help them cook evenly on the skewers. Generally, thighs vary in thickness—that’s okay. Try to pair thick (and thin) pieces on their own skewer so that they cook more evenly.
I also recommend removing some of the sauce from the pot before using it to brush the chicken. Once you dip your brush into the sauce and then spread it on the raw chicken, it won’t be safe to use for dipping. And if you like yakitori sauce as much as I do, make double so that you have plenty to share!
Alternative cooking methods for yakitori skewers
Although grilling yakitori is wonderful, it’s not always practical. Not to worry. There are other delicious ways to prepare these skewers, like in your air fryer or oven.
If using your air fryer, set the temperature to 400°F and place the skewers on an oil-sprayed basket. Brush the tops with sauce, cook for 5 minutes, and then flip the skewers over. After that, brush the other side with sauce and cook for another 4 to 8 minutes, or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F.
To bake in the oven, set the temperature to 425°F and place the skewers on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with sauce, then cook for 4 minutes on one side. Flip, brush with sauce again, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on the other side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
How do I store leftovers?
Store the skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them in freezer-safe containers or zippered bags—just remove the meat from the skewer sticks before storing. Defrost the frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat it in the oven at 350°F until it’s warm throughout.
Serving suggestions
Start your meal off by making this Miso Soup Recipe. Then, serve the skewers with Vegetable Fried Rice, or keep it simple and make Steamed Rice. Watching your carbs? Cauliflower Fried Rice is perfect. For hot summer days, try this refreshing Sunomono Recipe (Japanese Cucumber Salad). And for a sweet treat, end the meal with Japanese Crêpes!
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 4 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 1/4 pounds chicken thighs cut into bite-sized chunks
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- Green onions sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine soy sauce, water, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, honey, toasted sesame oil, and rice vinegar in a small pot over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes, then bring to a boil.
- Combine cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water until fully dissolved. Add this mixture to the boiling sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes until it thickens.
- Carefully thread chicken pieces onto pre-soaked skewers. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and brush lightly with vegetable oil.
- Heat an outdoor grill or grill pan to medium. Grill the chicken for 4 minutes on each side.
- Brush the chicken with the prepared sauce, and grill for an extra 2 minutes per side.
- Brush one more time with sauce and grill for another minute per side. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions before serving.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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