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Japanese Chicken Yakitori

Japanese Chicken Yakitori: Grilled Goodness You’ll Love

Japanese Chicken Yakitori offers savory-sweet grilled skewers that are customizable, quick to prepare, and healthy, making it a perfect meal for any gathering.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 4 skewers
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 230
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Skewers
  • 1 pound boneless chicken breast or thighs, can substitute with firm tofu
  • 10-20 pieces wooden skewers soak in water for 10-20 minutes
For the Marinade
  • 3 cloves garlic freshly minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger minced
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce or tamari/coconut aminos for gluten-free
  • 1/4 cup red wine or mirin or substitute with white wine and sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Equipment

  • grill
  • mixing bowl
  • saucepan
  • meat mallet
  • Wooden Skewers

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Soak the wooden skewers in water for 10 to 20 minutes to prevent burning.
  2. Whisk together soy sauce, water, red wine or mirin, brown sugar, and rice vinegar to make the marinade.
  3. Trim excess fat from boneless chicken and cut into 1 to 2-inch chunks, then pound to even thickness.
  4. Add minced garlic and ginger to chicken, pour 1/4 cup of marinade over it, mix well, and marinate for at least 10 minutes.
  5. In a saucepan, bring the remaining marinade to a boil, then mix in a cornstarch slurry until thickened.
  6. Thread marinated chicken onto soaked skewers, leaving space between each piece.
  7. Grill skewers on medium-high heat for 8 to 12 minutes, turning and basting with sauce until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Remove skewers from the grill, let rest for a few minutes, serve warm with remaining sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1skewerCalories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 26gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 2mgIron: 8mg

Notes

Use quality ingredients and allow for longer marination for deeper flavor. Keep grill temperature consistent and baste regularly for best results.

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