Grilled Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Sweet Soy Glaze
Indulge in the deliciousness of Grilled Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Sweet Soy Glaze. This flavorful dish, inspired by traditional Japanese street food, features tender pieces of chicken thighs marinated in a delightful combination of reduced-sodium soy sauce, mirin, and fresh ginger. Vibrant red bell peppers and fresh scallions add color and crunch, making these kebabs an enticing option for your next barbecue or family dinner. Served over a bed of wholesome brown rice, this recipe is not only delicious but also keeps you on track with your healthy eating goals, boasting only 7 Weight Watchers Points per serving. Perfect for sharing with family and friends, these skewers are guaranteed to impress!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
reduced sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup (none)
mirin
2 tablespoons (none)
sugar
2 tablespoons (none)
fresh ginger
1 teaspoon (minced, peeled)
garlic clove
1 clove (crushed)
boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 lb (trimmed of fat and cut into 2-inch pieces)
red bell peppers
2 (seeded and cut into 2-inch pieces)
scallions
8 (cut into 2-inch pieces)
cooked brown rice
2 cups (none)
skewers
as needed (soaked in water if using wooden skewers)
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan, combine the reduced sodium soy sauce, mirin, sugar, minced ginger, and crushed garlic clove.
2
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Allow it to cook for about 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly.
3
Remove the saucepan from heat and set the sauce aside to cool.
4
Preheat your grill or broiler and spray the grilling surface with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
5
Meanwhile, thread pieces of chicken, red bell peppers, and scallions onto skewers in an alternating pattern, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.
6
Place the skewers on the grill or under the broiler, approximately 5 inches from the heat source. Grill or broil the kebabs, frequently basting with the sweet soy glaze, until the chicken is thoroughly cooked (internal temperature of 165°F) and the vegetables are tender, roughly 10-15 minutes.
7
Once cooked, remove the skewers from heat and let them rest for a couple of minutes.
8
Serve the chicken yakitori skewers over a bed of cooked brown rice, drizzled with any remaining sauce for extra flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Grilled Chicken Yakitori Skewers?
Grilled Chicken Yakitori Skewers are a Japanese-inspired dish consisting of tender chicken pieces, red bell peppers, and scallions threaded onto skewers and grilled with a sweet soy glaze.
What ingredients are in the sweet soy glaze?
The glaze is made from a combination of reduced-sodium soy sauce, mirin, sugar, minced fresh ginger, and crushed garlic.
Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?
Yes, you can substitute chicken breast, but chicken thighs are recommended for their tenderness and flavor during the grilling process.
How many Weight Watchers points is this recipe?
This recipe boasts only 7 Weight Watchers Points per serving.
How long should I soak wooden skewers?
If you are using wooden skewers, they should be soaked in water for at least 20-30 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill.
What is the recommended size for the chicken pieces?
The chicken thighs should be trimmed of fat and cut into roughly 2-inch pieces for even cooking.
How do I thicken the yakitori sauce?
Bring the sauce mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and let it cook for about 5 minutes or until it thickens slightly.
What vegetables are used in this recipe?
This recipe uses two red bell peppers and eight scallions, both cut into 2-inch pieces.
Can I cook these in the oven?
Yes, you can use the broiler setting in your oven, placing the skewers approximately 5 inches from the heat source.
What is the safe internal temperature for the chicken?
The chicken is thoroughly cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
How do I prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill?
Spray the grilling surface or broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray before you start cooking.
What should I serve with the Yakitori skewers?
The recipe recommends serving the skewers over a bed of wholesome cooked brown rice.
How do I prepare the ginger for the sauce?
The ginger should be peeled and finely minced before adding it to the saucepan.
Is the garlic minced or crushed?
The recipe calls for one clove of garlic that has been crushed.
When should I apply the glaze to the chicken?
You should frequently baste the kebabs with the sweet soy glaze while they are grilling or broiling.
How long does it take to grill the skewers?
It typically takes roughly 10-15 minutes to grill the skewers until the chicken is done and vegetables are tender.
Can I make this recipe for meal prep?
Yes, this recipe is tagged for meal prep and stores well for future meals.
What is mirin?
Mirin is a type of rice wine similar to sake, but with a lower alcohol content and higher sugar content, commonly used in Japanese cooking.
How much rice do I need for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of cooked brown rice.
Should I let the chicken rest after grilling?
Yes, let the skewers rest for a couple of minutes after removing them from the heat to allow juices to redistribute.
Can I use low-sodium soy sauce?
The recipe specifically recommends reduced-sodium soy sauce to keep the dish healthier.
What if I don't have a grill?
A broiler works as an excellent alternative to a grill for this recipe.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy recipe and low calorie, using lean protein and wholesome brown rice.
How many bell peppers do I need?
You will need 2 red bell peppers, seeded and cut into 2-inch pieces.
Do I need to cook the sauce separately?
Yes, the glaze is prepared in a small saucepan and simmered before being used for basting.
Can I use green bell peppers instead?
While the recipe calls for red bell peppers for color and sweetness, green bell peppers can be used as a substitute.
How much chicken is required?
The recipe requires 1 lb of boneless skinless chicken thighs.
Is there any extra sauce for serving?
Yes, you can drizzle any remaining sauce over the skewers and rice for extra flavor before serving.
What is the flavor profile of the glaze?
The glaze is sweet and savory, with aromatic notes from the fresh ginger and garlic.
Is this recipe good for summer?
Yes, it is tagged for summer grilling and is perfect for barbecues.