Easy Home Yakitori
Pankaj Singh
| 24-12-2025
· Food Team
Today, we are going to cook Yakitori, a well-loved Japanese-style chicken skewer that feels simple, warm, and satisfying. Yakitori is all about clear steps, gentle heat, and good balance. We do not rush.
We prepare carefully, cook patiently, and enjoy every stage. This guide will walk us through the full process, from understanding the dish to measuring ingredients and cooking step by step.
What We Are Making Today
Yakitori is made by threading small pieces of chicken and green onion onto bamboo skewers, then cooking them until juicy and lightly browned. The skewers are finished with a sweet and savory sauce that coats the surface and adds shine. This dish works well for daily meals and is easy to share. We can cook it in an oven or on a grill, making it flexible for home kitchens.
Ingredients List with Exact Amounts
Before we begin, we prepare everything in advance. Having all ingredients ready makes cooking smoother and more relaxed.
For the sauce, we need:
- Japanese soy sauce: 1/2 cup
- Sweet rice seasoning: 1/2 cup
- Water: 1/4 cup
- Brown sugar: 4 teaspoons
- Water: 1/4 cup
For the skewers, we need:
- Chicken legs: 4 pieces
- Green onions: 6 stalks
- Bamboo skewers: as needed
Each ingredient has a clear role. The sauce brings balance. The chicken provides texture and richness. The green onions add freshness.
Step 1: Preparing the Chicken
We begin with the chicken legs. First, we remove the bones and skin carefully. Then we cut the meat into small, one-bite pieces. It is important to keep the pieces similar in size. When the pieces are even, they cook at the same speed, which helps keep the meat juicy.
Once cut, we place the chicken in a bowl and set it aside. We do not season it yet because the sauce will provide enough flavor later.
Step 2: Cutting the Green Onions
Next, we prepare the green onions. We separate them into two parts. The white sections are cut into pieces about 1.5 centimeters long. These pieces will be threaded onto the skewers.
The green tops are cut into short segments. We will use these green parts in the sauce. They add aroma and depth without making the sauce too strong.
Step 3: Cooking the Yakitori Sauce
Now we make the sauce. We place the soy sauce, rice syrup, rice-based seasoning, brown sugar, water, and the green onion tops into a small saucepan. We turn the heat to high and bring everything to a boil.
Once boiling, we reduce the heat to medium and let the sauce simmer. We cook until the liquid reduces to about half. This step concentrates the flavor and creates a smooth texture.
When done, we turn off the heat and let the sauce cool to room temperature. We reserve about one-third of the sauce for brushing at the end.
Step 4: Soaking the Bamboo Skewers
Before assembling the skewers, we soak the bamboo skewers in water for about thirty minutes. This step helps prevent the skewers from burning during cooking. While soaking, we can prepare the cooking rack and preheat the oven later.
Step 5: Assembling the Skewers
Now we assemble the skewers. We thread four pieces of chicken and three pieces of green onion onto each skewer, alternating between them. We leave small gaps between pieces so heat can circulate evenly.
We repeat this process until all ingredients are used. We place the assembled skewers on a clean plate and prepare for cooking.
Step 6: Cooking the Yakitori
We preheat the oven to 200 degrees. We lightly oil a roast rack to prevent sticking. Then we place the skewers on the rack.
We cook the skewers for about six minutes. After this first stage, we brush them with the prepared sauce. Then we return them to the oven and cook for another four minutes. This method allows the sauce to coat the chicken without burning.
Step 7: Final Brushing and Serving
Once the skewers are cooked, we remove them from the oven and place them on a serving plate. We brush them with the reserved sauce for a fresh, glossy finish.
We serve the Yakitori while warm. The chicken should be tender, and the sauce should lightly coat each piece.
Helpful Tips for Better Results
We always remember to cut evenly and avoid rushing the sauce. Letting the sauce cool before use helps keep the flavor balanced. Brushing sauce near the end prevents over-darkening.
A Friendly Ending for Our Lykkers
Lykkers, we hope this step-by-step Yakitori guide helps you feel confident in the kitchen. When we slow down and follow clear steps, cooking becomes enjoyable and rewarding. Try it at home, adjust it to your taste, and share the experience. We look forward to cooking together again soon.
How to Make Yakitori (Recipe) 焼き鳥の作り方（レシピ）
Video by Just One Cookbook