Description
Succulent Japanese yakitori skewers bring street-style grilling magic straight to home kitchens. Charcoal-kissed chicken pieces marinated in savory sauce promise a delightful culinary journey that whisks you through Tokyo’s bustling food scenes with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Seasonings and Liquids:
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) soy sauce
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) mirin
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) sake
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Aromatics and Garnish:
- 4–6 green onions (scallions), cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced
Cooking Accessories:
- Bamboo skewers (soaked in water for 30 minutes)
Instructions
- Craft a rich, savory glaze by blending soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a compact saucepan.
- Elevate the heat to generate a rolling boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing the liquid to transform and concentrate for 10-15 minutes.
- Periodically stir the mixture, watching as it gradually thickens and develops a glossy, deep amber consistency.
- Carefully strain the glaze through a fine-mesh sieve, extracting the aromatic garlic and ginger solids and leaving behind a silky, refined sauce.
- Allow the glaze to cool to room temperature, during which it will continue to slightly condense and intensify its flavor profile.
- The resulting sauce will serve as a luxurious coating for grilled proteins, offering a harmonious blend of sweet, salty, and umami notes characteristic of traditional Japanese cuisine.
Notes
- Customize the sauce’s sweetness by adjusting sugar levels, ensuring a perfect balance between savory and sweet flavors.
- Use high-quality sake and mirin for an authentic Japanese taste that elevates the entire dish’s complexity.
- Marinate chicken for 30 minutes before grilling to enhance absorption of rich, umami-packed sauce flavors.
- Consider using alternative proteins like tofu or vegetables for vegetarian options, maintaining the signature glazing technique.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1000 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg