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Cooking adventures in a small, closet sized, kitchen. - I came to realize that my meals were boring and that I had been eating the same few dishes over and over again for years. It was time for a change! I now spend my free time searching for, creating and trying tasty new recipes in my closet sized kitchen.

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Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)

[heart_this] · Jul 27, 2020 · 50 Comments

Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)

A Japanese style grilled skewered chicken in a sweet and salty sauce!

Yakitori is super easy to make and so simple, it’s pretty much just skewering up the chicken, grilling it and coating it in the tasty sauce! Let’s start with the sauce which is a tare sauce, a sweet thick soy sauce, similar to teriyaki sauce, with the main ingredients being: soy sauce, sugar, sake and mirin, that’s simmered until it has thickened a bit. (There are many variations of the sauce with different flavours and ingredients.) Next up is the grilling and this is typically done over a charcoal fire but you can also ‘grill’ it in a barbecue, in a grill pan, or even under a broiler. I like to marinate the chicken in the sauce before grilling so that some of it caramelizes while it cooks and basting more on after intensifies the flavour! Yakitori is a street food and as such it can be eaten straight from the stick and you can also make more of a sit down meal of it by serving it on a plate/bowl with rice and veggies. (I like to serve it it with grilled pineapple and red bell pepper!)
Updated: July 27, 2020

Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)
Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)
Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)
The yakitori photos above were all ‘grilled’ under the broiler and the ones below were grilled on a BBQ.

Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)
Grill with fruit and veggies like pineapple and red bell peppers!

Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)
Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)
The original photo:

Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)
Serve over a bed of rice with grilled veggies!

Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)

Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)
Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)
Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)

Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)

Prep Time: 10 minutes Matrinate Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Servings: 4

A Japanese style grilled skewered chicken in a sweet and salty sauce!

ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons mirin
  • 2 tablespoons sake
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 pound chicken breast or thigh, cut into bite sized pieces
directions
  1. Bring the soy sauce, mirin, sake and sugar to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the sauce thickens a bit, about 5 minutes, before letting it cool.
  2. Marinate the chicken in half of the sauce for 20 minutes to overnight.
  3. Skewer the chicken up!
  4. Grill* over medium-high heat until cooked, about 2-4 minutes per side, basting with the reserved sauce before enjoying!
Note: You can ‘grill’ the skewers over fire, on a bbq/grill, in a pan, under the broiler, etc.
Option: Use store bought teriyaki sauce.
Option: Add slices of garlic to the sauce as it simmers and remove, to add garlic flavour.
Option: Add slices of ginger to the sauce as it simmers and remove, to add ginger flavour.
Option: Add slices of shiitake mushrooms to the sauce as it simmers and remove, to add mushroom flavour.
Option: Use a different sweetener like brown sugar or honey, etc.
Option: Add 1 tablespoon oyster sauce.
Option: Add 1 tablespoon kecap manis.
Option: Add some heat with chili sauce (like sriracha) or chili peppers.
Option: Add bite sized slices of green onion in between pieces of chicken on your skewers. (Or other veggies, or fruit!)
Option: Add 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed into 1 tablespoon water to make a thicker sauce without as much simmering.
Option: Add pineapple juice!
Nutrition Facts: Calories 237, Fat 10g (Saturated 3g, Trans 0), Cholesterol 72mg, Sodium 730mg, Carbs 4g (Fiber 0, Sugars 3g), Protein 24g

Nutrition by: Nutritional facts powered by Edamam
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6 Ingredients, Appetizer, Chicken, Food, Grill, Japanese, Low-carb, Main Course, One-Pan, One-Pot, Recipe

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cate says

    July 27, 2009 at 9:13 am

    This looks delicious! I made my own teriyaki sauce this week, but just drizzled it over a whole chicken. This looks a lot more fun to eat!

    Reply
  2. Tanya says

    July 27, 2009 at 10:51 am

    I made something similar last week too – while I first did it on the real grill – I gotta say the George Foreman came in handy too 🙂

    Reply
  3. Zoe says

    July 27, 2009 at 11:45 am

    Looks great. I like the idea of adding green onion.

    Reply
  4. La Table De Nana says

    July 27, 2009 at 11:56 am

    I have always even liked the name Yakitori~ And anything asian inspired works so well for us!

    Reply
  5. Rosa's Yummy Yums says

    July 27, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    Delicious! A great summer recipe!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply
  6. Joanne says

    July 27, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    I love kebabs. Any meat eaten on sticks just tastes better. Yakitori sauce is a great marinade!

    Reply
  7. Lo says

    July 27, 2009 at 12:19 pm

    How could you go wrong with these classic Asian flavors? So good, Kevin! And I'm afraid I'm a sucker for meat on little sticks! Too much fun.

    Reply
  8. mycookinghut says

    July 27, 2009 at 12:28 pm

    I love yakitori! Will try soon!

    Reply
  9. Peter M says

    July 27, 2009 at 12:37 pm

    Meat on a stick…an invention rivaled only by the wheel!

    Reply
  10. Anonymous says

    July 27, 2009 at 12:42 pm

    My first time here, blame "For the love of Cooking" This photo captured my imagination, not to mention my stomach… Guess what I'm having for lunch.

    I have also added a link on Blogger's Cafe:
    http:avarchives.blogspot.com
    under cooking of course. Fabulous blog.

    AV

    Reply
  11. Diane, Fit to the Finish says

    July 27, 2009 at 12:50 pm

    That looks great! What is mirin?

    I need to try this, although I'd have to make a ton with 7 kids in the house!

    Beautiful pictures too.

    Reply
  12. lisa says

    July 27, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    The caramelized sauce looks incredible!

    Reply
  13. Simply...Gluten-free says

    July 27, 2009 at 12:53 pm

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. Yours is great! I am glad I found you.

    Reply
  14. aga-aa says

    July 27, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    It looks delicious, I prefer vegetables, but know I want to eat this!

    Reply
  15. Mami says

    July 27, 2009 at 1:36 pm

    I'm glad you reminded Japanese yakitori and inform to everyone!!

    Japanese yakitori is one-bite size.easy to eat and easy to talk with friends.

    Reply
  16. Melissa says

    July 27, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    Wow Kevin! These look really tasty! I had never thought about it before, but now that you mention, I guess each country does have it's own version of kabobs. =)

    Reply
  17. Kelly says

    July 27, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    Yum! There is something about meat on a stick that I love, and the flavors you used sounds lovely and simple!

    Reply
  18. Anncoo says

    July 27, 2009 at 2:25 pm

    This looks exactly the same in the Japanese restaurant. Good Job!

    Reply
  19. Lynda says

    July 27, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    This looks delicious..a perfect summer meal!

    Reply
  20. Phoo-D says

    July 27, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    Simple and satisfying- this is perfect for a summer dinner!

    Reply
  21. Cheryl says

    July 27, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    That looks yummy and I did enjoy the tutorial!

    Reply
  22. Jenn says

    July 27, 2009 at 6:32 pm

    This looks tasty. Kind of reminds me of the Filipino style BBQ. Now I'm craving for some.

    Reply
  23. meeso says

    July 27, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    That looks so yummy, I think I'm getting hungry!

    Reply
  24. Hillary says

    July 27, 2009 at 10:20 pm

    Kevin – this looks super tasty! I love to order yakitori in Japanese restaurants and chicken satay in Thai restaurants so I guess you can call me a chicken skewer lover! Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
  25. Lina says

    July 28, 2009 at 12:24 am

    yakitori is so simple yet wonderful. mmmmm

    Reply
  26. ♥peachkins♥ says

    July 28, 2009 at 12:44 am

    I love the sweet and salty taste of yakitori..

    Reply
  27. Traveling Spork says

    July 28, 2009 at 3:28 am

    mMMM… looks wonderful. I haven't made this in a while and I think it's time I do it again!

    Reply
  28. Cynthia says

    July 28, 2009 at 4:06 am

    Thanks for this Kevin.

    Reply
  29. Jan says

    July 28, 2009 at 6:01 am

    Looks yummy! I also like the idea of adding the green onion.

    Reply
  30. Palidor says

    July 28, 2009 at 8:27 pm

    Mmmm, I love yakitori! The best yakitori I've had was at a restaurant in Narita airport. I'll have to try this recipe.

    Reply
  31. Treehouse Chef says

    July 29, 2009 at 1:02 am

    This looks delicious! You always make things look so tasty. Can't wait to try it!

    Reply
  32. Kevin says

    July 29, 2009 at 1:55 am

    Diane, Fit to the Finish: Mirin is a sweet cooking sake. You should be able to find it int he Asian section of your local grocery store or a local Asian grocery store.

    Reply
  33. Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) says

    July 29, 2009 at 3:03 am

    I remember the first time I had yakitori, on our first night in Tokyo, from a street cart. I've never had any that tasted quite as good, but I'm sure the setting had a lot to do with it.

    Reply
  34. maimai says

    July 29, 2009 at 6:41 am

    Have you tried making it with free range chicken thighs? I think that would be awesome — although I am biased because I prefer brown meat in general.

    Reply
  35. Chris says

    July 30, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    I think I might make these with a side of jasmine rice this weekend!

    Reply
  36. pigpigscorner says

    August 2, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    The sauce looks so delicious!

    Reply
  37. Spryte says

    August 15, 2009 at 12:23 am

    I LOVE yakitori and your recipe looks great!!

    Reply
  38. Julia says

    December 3, 2009 at 3:48 pm

    I made this a long time ago, but my teriyaki sauce always ends up very runny, and the meat doesn't seem to absorb the teriyaki taste so well… It looks so nice and thick on your picture!

    Reply
  39. Kevin says

    December 3, 2009 at 11:30 pm

    Julia: You really need to marinate the chicken to infuse it with the teriyaki flavour. This teriyaki sauce is runny and if you want a thick sauce you can simmer it in a pan to reduce until it gets nice and thick.

    Reply
  40. Sam says

    June 16, 2010 at 1:38 pm

    I tried this, and I marinated the chicken for 24+ hours. It was one of the most delicious chicken dishes I have ever made for myself. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
  41. kath says

    July 29, 2020 at 2:39 am

    Hi, can we remove the sake or what’s the substitute for it? thanks

    Reply
    • kevin says

      July 29, 2020 at 7:50 am

      Yes, you can omit the sake! You can either simply omit it or replace it with something else, I like pineapple juice.

      Reply
  42. Sandra Ellis says

    August 2, 2020 at 12:31 am

    This recipe like so many of your other ones, sound wonderful.
    Thank you

    Reply
  43. Melina Nancy says

    November 5, 2020 at 6:59 am

    delicious recipe

    Reply
  44. taylor swift says

    December 3, 2020 at 1:18 pm

    I made your recipe at home very tasty, delicious thank you add more recipes.

    Reply
  45. Ginni says

    August 2, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    Sounds like one (maybe two) people actually made this recipe, Why people send in a “review” when they have not made the dish is just puzzling to me. Does anyone care that you think the recipe “looks” like it would be good?

    Reply
  46. Jamilu Ibrahim says

    May 4, 2022 at 10:58 am

    This is an amazing…and it looks soo yummy & sound so delicious…i will trying to make it …Thanks for sharing….
    Love it!

    Reply
  47. Charlie Trotter C says

    June 8, 2022 at 1:09 am

    I made it at home according to your instruction. An easy, simple, and tasty recipe, many thanks

    Reply
  48. Gordon Ramsay says

    September 18, 2022 at 10:12 am

    Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. I will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope they will like it.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 18 Delectable Gluten-Free Japanese Recipes For You In 2022 says:
    May 23, 2022 at 5:42 am

    […] 13. Gluten-Free Chicken Yakitori (Japanese Grilled Chicken Skewers) […]

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