Japanese Yakitori Chicken Skewers
Yakitori, literally translated as "grilled bird" in Japanese, is a true cornerstone of Japanese cuisine. Beloved on bustling street corners and enjoyed as a delightful starter in cozy izakayas (pubs), these bite-sized chicken skewers offer a symphony of flavor – savory, smoky, and perfectly portable.
This recipe takes inspiration from the yakitori tradition, offering up succulent grilled chicken thighs bursting with flavor. A simple marinade and a sweet and sticky glaze elevate this dish to weeknight hero status, perfect for a casual gathering or a satisfying starter to any meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 750g boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 4 thighs)
- 1 tbsp cornflour/cornstarch
- 1 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 3 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
For the Glaze:
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp squeeze honey
For Garnishing:
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Chilli flakes (optional)
- Spring onions, finely sliced
Pair it with
Instructions
- Chop the chicken thigh fillets into nugget-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine cornflour/cornstarch, water, soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, garlic, and ginger. Add the chopped chicken and toss to coat them evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for deeper flavour.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade, letting any excess drip off and skewer the pieces, ready to cook.
- Prepare the glaze by whisking together the soy sauce and honey in a small bowl.
- To cook the chicken, choose one of the below options:
- BBQ: cook the chicken for around 3-4 mins per side, flipping halfway, until cooked through.
- Oven grill the chicken for around 4-5 minutes per side, flipping halfway, until cooked through (internal temperature should reach 74°C / 165°F).
- Air fryer: arrange the skewers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't touch. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway for even browning and brush with the prepared glaze, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
- Transfer the skewers to a serving platter and garnish with sesame seeds, chilli flakes (if using), and sliced spring onions. Enjoy!
Tips:
- You can substitute chicken breasts for the thighs for comparatively lower fat content, but adjust the cooking time as breasts cook faster and may dry out.
- If you don't have wooden skewers, you can use metal skewers. However, metal skewers can heat up quickly, so be careful not to burn your fingers.
- Feel free to experiment with different vegetables and meats on your skewers. Popular options include bell peppers, baby corn, onions and prawns.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Video demonstration
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