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Chicken Yakitori with scallion (Negima) is a Japanese recipe for skewered chicken cooked over a grill. It's a quick, easy, flavorful appetizer that anyone will love!
Skewered chicken cooked over coals with lite seasoning seems so simple, yet tastes so incredible. The chicken is juicy, tender and seasoned to perfection (like this air fryer chicken karaage that you'll love too!).
And the whole recipe takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish. No marinating, no roasting, none of that. Just skewer the chicken and the green onion, season it lightly and grill it.
These yakitori chicken thighs with green onion are perfect for that party appetizer, or just as a meal for two! Delicious and EASY to make!
Make them as part of this fun Hibachi steak meal or with this Instant Pot Japanese curry!
What is Yakitori?
You ask, I answer. Basically, it's a Japanese style of cooking skewered chicken. And I'm talking all parts of the chicken. Our 2 favorite kinds when we go out are chicken skin and chicken vein. I'm also a pretty big fan of the gizzards. Don't knock it until you've tried it.
The chicken is skewered and grilled over a charcoal fire, then seasoned with a sauce and/or a touch of salt (there are 2 versions). It's good stuff.
While yakitori is traditionally chicken, some restaurants also serve beef, pork, vegetables and quail eggs.
It is generally served in Japanese Izakayas, along with dishes like Kakuni (Japanese Pork Belly), Miso Soup, and Yakisoba, as well as specialty yakitori restaurants.
We love it as an appetizer to our favorite Instant Pot Japanese curry.
Yakitori Seasonings & Ingredients
Yakitori is typically made either with just salt, or basted with a tare sauce made of soy sauce, mirin, sake and sugar. I've included options for both versions in this recipe.
Mirin is a sweet Japanese rice wine used often in cooking. I love to use it in marinades and stir fried to add a touch of sweet. If you don't have it already, you can buy it HERE (affiliate link).
Chicken thighs are used in this recipe as the dark meat stays juicy and tender on the grill. You can also use chicken hearts, gizzards, liver, breast, or any other part of the chicken. The cooking process will remain the same.
Step By Step Instructions
If you're using bamboo skewers, you will want to soak them in water for 20 minutes before using them. You can also use metal skewers, just be careful when handling them on the grill as they get hot (affiliate links).
Cut the chicken in 1" cubes and skewer them, alternating with two pieces of green onion, leaving at least 2" on either end of the skewer.
There are two ways to cook this Negima - with just salt (shio) or with the tare sauce. If you prefer to make it with the sweet and savory tare sauce, do not season the chicken with salt.
If you prefer to use just the salt method, season the chicken skewers with the salt before grilling.
Make sure the tare sauce is ready (if you're using it) before you start grilling. Lightly oil the grill grates (to prevent sticking) and heat it to 400F. Place the chicken on the grill and cook 3-5 minutes per side, until browned on the outside.
If using the tare sauce, baste the chicken with it when it's about 75% done cooking. Flip it over and baste the other side. Repeat this process one more time and remove from the grill when chicken in done.
Reserve some of the tare sauce for dipping.
How to Make Tare Sauce
Combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the sauce has been reduced by about half.
Make this a meal by serving it with Instant Pot sushi rice, Fried Rice, Miso Butter Corn and/or serve it alongside this Instant Pot Ramen.
Expert Tips
- If you are using the tare sauce, be sure to watch the chicken and make sure it doesn't burn. The sauce contains a lot of sugar and will burn easily. Move the a cooler part of the grill if you can.
- Chicken hearts, gizzards and liver are better made with just the salt. If you decide to use these parts, I recommend using the salt method.
- The chicken should be browned and caramelized on the outside using either method.
- Reserve some of the tare sauce for dipping.
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Did you make this recipe? Rate it and leave a comment to let me know how it turned out!
Japanese Chicken Yakitori Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken thigh meat boneless and skinless
- 2 cups green onions cut in 1 " pieces
- 1 tablespoon salt
- bamboo skewers
Tare Sauce:
- ½ cup soy sauce
- ½ cup sake
- ½ cup mirin
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- If you're using bamboo skewers, you will want to soak them in water for 20 minutes before using them. You can also use metal skewers, just be careful when handling them on the grill as they get hot.
- Cut the chicken in 1" cubes and skewer them, alternating with 2 pieces of green onion, leaving at least 2" on either end of the skewer.
- Lightly oil the grill grates (to prevent sticking) and heat it to 400F.
- If using just the salt, sprinkle with sea salt on both sides.
- Make sure the tare sauce is ready (if you're using it) before you start grilling
- Place the chicken on the grill and cook 3-5 minutes per side, until browned on the outside.
- If just using salt, remove it from the grill when the outsides are caramelized (about 7-10 minutes total).
- If using the tare sauce, baste the chicken with it when it's about 75% done cooking.
- Flip it over and baste the other side. Repeat this process one more time and remove from the grill when chicken in done.
Tare Sauce:
- Combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the sauce has been reduced by about half.
Expert Tips:
- If you are using the tare sauce, be sure to watch the chicken and make sure it doesn't burn. The sauce contains a lot of sugar and will burn easily. Move the a cooler part of the grill if you can.
- Chicken hearts, gizzards and liver are better made with just the salt. If you decide to use these parts, I recommend using the salt method.
- The chicken should be browned and caramelized on the outside using either method.
- Reserve some of the tare sauce for dipping.Â
Nutrition
Marie-Charlotte Chatelain
WOW these just scream summer backyard bbq fun! Love the sound of that glaze!
Danielle
Totally! Thanks 🙂
Jessica Formicola
I love grilling this time of year, so this is on our menu for dinner this week. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Danielle
You're welcome!
kim
Loved this recipe! It was super easy and so tasty! Will definitely make again!
Danielle
So glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Taylor Kiser
Love a simple recipe with incredible flavors! That's what you've got here! This will be a new go-to appetizer for me!
Danielle
Hope you love it!
Jill
Looks so flavorful and appealing. I love making takeout dishes at home.
Danielle
Thanks!
Lauren
This looks great! Such a great weeknight meal!
Danielle@wenthere8this
Thanks! It's perfect for weeknights.
Lisa | Garlic + Zest
I think it's the sauce that makes this dish! It looks fabulous! Definitely want to make it for my husband!
Danielle@wenthere8this
The sauce really does make it! You could use it on all sorts of things too. I hope your husband enjoys it!
Traci
Chicken thigh meat is (hands down) my fav! This recipe looks easy and delicious...and I happen to always have the ingredients on hand. It's a win win! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Danielle@wenthere8this
Chicken thigh meat is SO GOOD! This is a perfect easy recipe!
Dannii
My husband loves yakitori and always orders it when we go out for Japanese. I am going to have to try making it myself.
Danielle@wenthere8this
It's super easy to make! That's one of the things I like most about yakitori.
Alyssa
These look like restaurant quality chicken yakitori skewers. I also like how you incorporated wasabi into the recipe for a little kick!
Danielle@wenthere8this
Thanks! I love the extra kick the wasabi provides!
Kathy
These recipes look amazing I can't wait to try!!
Danielle@wenthere8this
This one was really easy! One of our favorites.