Yakitori, a popular Japanese dish, consists of skewered and grilled chicken, often flavored with a teriyaki-like sauce called tare or simply seasoned with salt. It's a staple at Japanese izakayas and a delightful way to enjoy chicken. Here's a basic recipe for making yakitori at home:
Ingredients:
For the Yakitori:
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Chicken Thighs: 500g (about 1 pound), cut into bite-sized pieces
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Green Onions/Scallions: 8, cut into 1-inch pieces
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Bamboo Skewers: soaked in water for at least 30 minutes
For the Tare Sauce (Yakitori Sauce):
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Soy Sauce: 1/2 cup
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Mirin: 1/2 cup
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Sake: 1/4 cup
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Sugar: 2 tablespoons
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Garlic: 1 clove, crushed
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Ginger: A small slice
Instructions:
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Prepare the Tare Sauce:
- In a saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, garlic, and ginger.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the sauce thickens slightly, about 20 minutes.
- Remove the garlic and ginger, and set the sauce aside.
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Skewer the Chicken and Onions:
- Thread the chicken and green onions alternately onto the soaked bamboo skewers.
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Grill the Yakitori:
- Preheat your grill (or a grill pan) to medium-high heat.
- Grill the skewers, turning occasionally, until the chicken is almost cooked through, about 8 minutes.
- Brush the tare sauce over the chicken and continue grilling, turning frequently, until the chicken is glazed and fully cooked, about 2 more minutes. If you prefer, you can also season some skewers with just salt instead of the sauce.
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Serve:
- Serve the yakitori hot off the grill.
- If desired, you can sprinkle a little bit of shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven spice) or sesame seeds on top for extra flavor.
Tips:
- It's traditional to use chicken thighs for yakitori as they are more flavorful and remain juicy when grilled. However, you can use chicken breast or other parts of the chicken if you prefer.
- To achieve an authentic flavor, it’s important to use Japanese ingredients like mirin and sake for the tare sauce.
- Always soak bamboo skewers in water before using them on the grill to prevent them from burning.
Enjoy your homemade yakitori! It's a simple yet delicious dish that's perfect for a casual dinner or as part of a larger Japanese-inspired meal.
