Description
Juicy, caramelized Grilled Chicken Yakitori Skewers glazed in a sweet-savory soy sauce marinade. These easy grilled chicken skewers are smoky, tender, and perfect for weeknight dinners, backyard cookouts, or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- Wooden skewers (soaked 30 minutes) or metal skewers
For the Yakitori Marinade:
- ½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup mirin
- ¼ cup sake
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Garnish:
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken:
Cut chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces and set aside. - Make the marinade:
In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, mirin, sake, brown sugar, grated ginger, garlic, and black pepper until sugar dissolves. - Marinate:
Add chicken to the marinade and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours. - Preheat grill:
Heat grill to medium-high (about 400°F). - Assemble skewers:
Thread marinated chicken onto soaked skewers. Alternate with green onion pieces if desired. - Grill:
Cook skewers for 5–7 minutes per side, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
For extra glaze, brush with boiled leftover marinade while grilling. - Rest and serve:
Remove from grill and let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.
Notes
- Chicken breasts can be used but cook slightly faster.
- If substituting mirin, use rice vinegar plus 1 extra teaspoon brown sugar.
- If substituting sake, dry white wine works.
- Always boil leftover marinade for at least 2 minutes before brushing on cooked chicken.
- These skewers pair beautifully with steamed rice or grilled vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approx. 2 skewers)
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg