Saed News: Chicken Yakitori is one of Japan's popular dishes, known for its amazing taste and texture, and it has a strong following worldwide. Yakitori is essentially a type of kebab that can be made with both chicken and lamb or beef.
According to Saad News Culinary Service, Chicken Yakitori is one of Japan’s popular dishes, known for its incredible taste and texture, and it has a dedicated following around the world. Yakitori is essentially a type of kebab that can be made with both chicken and lamb or beef. Moreover, Japanese Yakitori can be cooked on charcoal, in the oven, or in a skillet. In this article, we will teach you how to prepare Chicken Yakitori as one of the varieties of chicken kebab, along with tips for making it delicious, so you can have an excellent option for a unique and tasty lunch or dinner.
How to Make Chicken Yakitori at a Glance
To prepare Japanese Chicken Yakitori, make the barbecue sauce with soy sauce, cornstarch, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, cornstarch, black pepper, salt, garlic, and green onions, and simmer until it thickens. Then, turn off the heat and let the sauce cool. Cut the chicken breasts into cubes, marinate with some of the sauce, and let it rest for an hour. Afterward, thread the chicken onto skewers and either fry them in a skillet or grill them over charcoal. You can also bake the Chicken Yakitori in the oven. Once ready, brush them with the remaining sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve the Chicken Yakitori with rice or bread.
For full details, steps, and necessary ingredients to make Japanese Chicken Yakitori, continue reading this article.
600g skinless chicken breast
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons sugar (white or brown)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 green onions (chopped)
2 cloves garlic
Salt and black pepper to taste
Charcoal and skewers for grilling
Bread or rice for serving
Preparation and resting time for ingredients: 1 hour
Cooking time for Chicken Yakitori: 15 minutes
Step-by-Step Preparation for Chicken Yakitori
Step 1: Prepare the BBQ Sauce
Peel and grate or finely chop the garlic. Wash the green onions and cut off their roots, then slice them into 2 cm pieces. In a pan, add the soy sauce, garlic, chopped green onions, apple cider vinegar, sugar, cornstarch, water, ground ginger, sesame oil, black pepper, and a little salt.
Step 2: Make the Yakitori Sauce
Place the pan with the sauce ingredients over low heat and stir constantly until it thickens. Since cornstarch is used in the sauce, be sure to stir constantly to prevent it from burning. Once the sauce thickens, remove it from the heat and let it cool.
Step 3: Prepare the Chicken Breast
While the sauce is cooling, wash the chicken breasts and cut them into cubes on a cutting board. Try to make the pieces medium-sized (about 2x2 cm or 3x3 cm). Place the chicken pieces in a bowl.
Step 4: Marinate the Chicken
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the sauce to the chicken cubes and marinate until the sauce coats all the pieces. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a freezer bag, and refrigerate for 1 hour to let the chicken absorb the flavors and become tender.
Step 5: Thread the Chicken onto Skewers
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes so they don't burn. If using metal skewers, there's no need to soak them. Once the chicken is marinated, remove it from the fridge, soak the skewers (if necessary), and thread the chicken onto them.
Step 6: Grill the Yakitori
Heat up the charcoal until glowing, then spread it evenly in the grill. Place the skewers on the grill and cook until one side turns golden brown. Flip the skewers to cook the other side. Once fully cooked, remove the skewers and place them on a serving dish.
Final Step: Brush the Yakitori with Sauce and Serve
When serving, use a brush to apply the remaining Yakitori sauce to the grilled chicken. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top and serve with rice or bread.
How to Cook Chicken Yakitori in a Skillet
For making Chicken Yakitori without an oven or charcoal, you can use this method. First, prepare the Yakitori sauce and marinate the chicken pieces. Then, thread the marinated chicken onto wooden skewers and heat some oil in a skillet. Arrange the skewers in the skillet without overlapping. Cook one side of the chicken until golden, then flip the skewers to cook the other side. Once ready, place the chicken on a serving dish and brush with the sauce. Finally, sprinkle sesame seeds on top and serve with rice or bread.
How to Make Chicken Yakitori in the Oven
If you prefer to cook the Yakitori in the oven, follow the first method for preparing the sauce and marinating the chicken. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto the soaked skewers. Arrange the skewers on a baking sheet and bake. After 10 minutes, flip the skewers to cook the other side. Once cooked, remove them from the oven and brush with Yakitori sauce. Sprinkle sesame seeds on the grilled chicken and serve.
Important Tips for Making Chicken Yakitori
Soy sauce is typically salty, so be cautious when adding extra salt to avoid making the sauce too salty.
The original recipe uses brown sugar, but white sugar can be substituted if brown sugar is unavailable.
Feel free to add vegetables such as onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms to the skewers along with the marinated chicken.
For a smoky flavor, heat a piece or two of charcoal on the stove. Then place them in a bowl, pour a few drops of oil on top, and place the bowl inside the oven or skillet. Cover the oven or skillet, allowing the charcoal to smoke, infusing the chicken with a smoky taste.
Delicious Tips for Making Chicken Yakitori
The main ingredients of the Yakitori sauce include soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar, with added cornstarch, black pepper, salt, garlic, and green onions.
The chicken pieces are marinated in the sauce, and the sauce is also brushed onto the grilled chicken just before serving. You can also serve the sauce on the side.
