Chicken Yakitori Recipe – Sweet, Savory, and Perfectly Grilled

Difficulty:

1/5

Serves:

4 PEOPLE

Prep Time:

15 minutes

Chicken Yakitori Recipe

This Chicken Yakitori recipe brings together tender chicken, sweet mirin, and savory soy sauce with the freshness of scallions, creating a dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. Featured on Everyday Excellent, this recipe combines chicken thighs, garlic, and ginger for bold, comforting flavors that are easy to recreate at home.

The Inspiration

Yakitori is a staple of Japanese cuisine, often enjoyed as street food or at traditional izakayas, where small skewers of chicken are grilled over charcoal and brushed with a rich, savory-sweet sauce. The word “yakitori” literally means “grilled chicken,” but the dish is known for its balance of textures and flavors: the slight crispiness of the chicken exterior, the tender interior, and the umami depth of the glaze. This recipe draws inspiration from that classic preparation but adapts it for home kitchens using everyday ingredients.

Chef Vanessa Gianfrancesco of Everyday Excellent showcases this dish to demonstrate the beauty of simple, bold flavors that can be achieved without complex techniques. The combination of soy sauce, mirin, honey, garlic, and ginger brings authenticity and depth to the skewers, while scallions add freshness and visual appeal. It’s a dish that speaks to the global popularity of Japanese cuisine and its accessibility in modern cooking.

Ingredients

4 small or 3 large boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch cubes
1/2 cup (120ml) soy sauce
1/2 cup (120ml) mirin
2 tbsp (29.6ml) honey
1 clove garlic, grated
1 cube frozen chopped ginger
1 scallion, cut into 1 inch pieces
Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
Cooking spray

Methods

Add the soy sauce, mirin, honey, garlic, and ginger to bowl and whisk together.
Grease a grill pan with cooking spray and place over medium heat.
Thread 4 cubes of chicken and 3 scallion pieces on a skewer, placing scallion in between the chicken pieces. Repeat to make 4 skewers. Place on the grill pan for 4 minutes, then flip and cook on the other side for 4 minutes more. Baste with the sauce, flip, and baste the other side. After 1 minute, flip and baste both sides again. Cook for 1 minute more and brush once more with the sauce. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

Serving Suggestions

These Chicken Yakitori skewers are versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. For a traditional meal, pair them with steamed jasmine rice or sticky rice, which soaks up the sweet and savory glaze for an enhanced flavor experience. To add a refreshing contrast, serve alongside a simple cucumber salad or pickled vegetables to balance the richness of the chicken.

For gatherings or casual entertaining, serve the skewers as an appetizer or part of a small-plate spread. The skewered presentation allows guests to enjoy them easily without utensils, making them ideal for parties, game nights, or outdoor meals. You can also complement the skewers with a side of miso soup or edamame for a complete Japanese-inspired menu. A light drizzle of extra sauce on the side adds flexibility, letting guests adjust the flavor intensity to their liking.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Yakitori Recipe is a celebration of Japanese street food and home cooking. The combination of tender chicken, aromatic scallions, and a perfectly balanced soy-mirin glaze creates a dish that is both visually appealing and flavorful. Its simplicity and elegance make it suitable for weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or special occasions where you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.

By following this recipe, home cooks can bring authentic Japanese flavors into their own kitchens, capturing the essence of traditional Yakitori while enjoying a modern, approachable method. Whether cooking for family, friends, or enjoying a quiet meal at home, this dish delivers a satisfying taste experience every time.

Find more recipes from Everyday Excellent here!