Description
A delicious grilled chicken dish from Japan, marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, perfect for gatherings and special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5–6 pieces boneless chicken breast or 6–8 pieces boneless chicken thighs
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced or 1 tsp ginger powder
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup water
- 3 tbsp red wine or mirin (Japanese rice wine)
- 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp distilled vinegar or rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening)
- 6–7 wooden skewers (soaked in water for 10–20 minutes)
Instructions
- Soak the wooden skewers in water for 10-20 minutes to prevent burning during grilling.
- Mix soy sauce, water, red wine/mirin, brown sugar, and vinegar in a bowl until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Trim any excess fat or cartilage from the chicken, then cut it into 1–2 inch chunks and lightly pound to tenderize.
- Combine minced garlic, ginger, ground black pepper, and 1/4 cup of the prepared sauce in a large bowl.
- Add the chicken to the bowl and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 10 minutes.
- Pour the remaining sauce into a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat.
- Mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 2 tbsp of sauce to create a slurry, then stir it into the boiling sauce to thicken it.
- Let it simmer until the sauce reaches a syrupy consistency, then remove from heat.
- Thread the marinated chicken onto the soaked skewers.
- Grill or broil over medium-high heat for 8-12 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Baste with the thickened sauce until the chicken is cooked through and caramelized (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C).
Notes
For a healthier alternative, substitute brown sugar with stevia or monk fruit. Soaking skewers is essential to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg