Yakitori

Yakitori is the ultimate izakaya dish! These grilled chicken skewers are usually served charcoal-broiled, but you can make yakitori that's just as good at home by using a simple frying pan.

Yakitori
Photographed by Masaya Suzuki


Recipe by
Akihiro Tamego

Easy

Chicken

Vegetables

Quick

230kcal

10minutes

Calorie count is per serving.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

  • 180 g chicken thigh
  • 1 Japanese leek (white portion)
  • A pinch of sansho pepper
  • A dash of vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsp sake
  • 1 tbsp mirin
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sugar

Directions

1

Cut the chicken into 12 equal pieces. Cut the leek into 8 equal pieces.

2

Divide the chicken and leek into four equal portions. Alternately thread pieces of chicken and leek onto a bamboo skewer, for a total of four skewers.

3

Heat a nonstick frying pan and coat with vegetable oil. Lay the skewers in the pan and cook both sides to a golden brown.

4

Sprinkle with sake, and cover to steam until cooked through.

Advice

The sake helps to release particles of browned chicken that are stuck to the pan, allowing the umami from the chicken to combine more easily with the sauce seasonings.

5

Add the mirin, soy sauce and sugar. Simmer to thicken and coat the yakitori.

6

Plate and sprinkle with sansho pepper.