Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a bowl, mix the mirin, garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, toasted sesame oil, and ginger until well combined.
- Before adding any chicken, spoon about 4 tablespoons of the marinade into a small bowl or container and set it aside. This reserved marinade will be used later for basting the skewers while they cook.
- Dice the chicken breasts into roughly 1-inch pieces, then place the diced chicken into the container with the remaining marinade. Stir well until every piece is coated. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes up to 3 hours.
- At least 30 minutes before cooking, soak your bamboo skewers in water.
- Thread 5 to 6 pieces of chicken onto each skewer.
- Preheat your grill to low heat, around 250°F, and lightly oil the grates.
- Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 20 minutes. Turn every 5 minutes so they cook evenly, spraying the grill with a little olive oil as you do so the skewers do not stick. Each time you turn them, brush or drizzle a little of the reserved marinade over the chicken.
- Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and juices run clear.
- Remove from the grill and serve immediately while hot and glossy.
- Enjoy with steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, cucumber salad, or your favorite Asian-inspired sides.
Notes
- Mirin gives these skewers their signature sweet and savory flavor.
- Toasted sesame oil adds a rich, nutty flavor that works beautifully in Asian-inspired marinades.
- Brown sugar caramelizes well on the grill and is less likely to burn than honey.
- Soaking bamboo skewers helps prevent them from charring during cooking.
- Reserve some marinade before adding raw chicken so you have a safe basting sauce while grilling.
- Chicken thighs can be substituted for chicken breasts if preferred.
Important!
- Reserve the basting marinade before adding any chicken.
- Never use marinade that has been in contact with raw chicken for basting or serving!
Storage
- Store cooked yakitori skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in a skillet, air fryer, or microwave until warmed through.
- For best texture, do not marinate the raw chicken longer than 3 hours.
Related Recipes:
- Check out all our Chicken Recipes here!
- See here for more Asian flavors
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.