30-Minute Yakitori Don Recipe

Introduction

Yakitori Don is a delicious and quick Japanese dish featuring tender chicken skewers glazed with a flavorful sauce, served over a bed of steaming white rice. Perfect for a simple weeknight dinner, this recipe comes together in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 500 gram Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thigh
• 2 bunches Scallion
• Vegetable Oil (as needed)
• White Rice (to taste)
• 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
• 50 milliliter Mirin
• 80 milliliter Sake
• 70 gram Granulated Sugar

Instructions

1. Step 1: Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Meanwhile, cook the white rice according to the package instructions.
2. Step 2: In a saucepan, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, granulated sugar, and one bunch of scallions. Simmer gently for about 15 minutes until the sauce thickens. Set aside.
3. Step 3: Pat the chicken thighs dry using a kitchen or paper towel, then cut into bite-sized cubes.
4. Step 4: Slice the green parts of the remaining scallion into lengths similar to the chicken pieces.
5. Step 5: Alternate threading the chicken cubes and scallion pieces onto the soaked skewers until all are used.
6. Step 6: Heat a pan over medium heat and lightly oil it. Pan-fry the skewers for about 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Brush the yakitori sauce over the skewers repeatedly to coat evenly.
7. Step 7: Serve three skewers over a bowl of freshly cooked rice and enjoy immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the chicken cubes in a little soy sauce and sake for 30 minutes before skewering.
• You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat; just be careful not to overcook.
• Add a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds or a drizzle of Japanese mayonnaise for a tasty twist.

Storage

Store leftover yakitori skewers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan or oven to keep the glaze intact. Rice is best stored separately and reheated with a splash of water to maintain moisture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use wooden skewers without soaking?

Soaking wooden skewers prevents them from burning during cooking. It’s best to soak them for at least 30 minutes before use.

What if I don’t have mirin?

You can substitute mirin with a mix of sake and a small amount of sugar or use a sweet white wine, but mirin provides a unique sweetness and flavor that enhances the dish.

30-Minute Yakitori Don Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 150 reviews

• Author: Noah
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This 30-Minute Yakitori Don recipe features tender, succulent chicken thigh pieces skewered with scallions, glazed in a rich homemade yakitori sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar. Pan-fried to golden perfection and served atop steaming white rice, this dish offers a quick and authentic taste of Japanese comfort food right at home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Skewers

• 500 gram Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thigh
• 2 bunch Scallion
• As needed Vegetable Oil

Rice

• White Rice (to taste)

Yakitori Sauce

• 1/2 cup Soy Sauce
• 50 milliliter Mirin
• 80 milliliter Sake
• 70 gram Granulated Sugar

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Instructions

1. Soak skewers and cook rice: Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning. Meanwhile, cook white rice according to package instructions to serve as the base for the yakitori don.
2. Prepare yakitori sauce: Combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, granulated sugar, and 1 bunch of scallions in a saucepan. Simmer gently for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes flavorful. Set aside.
3. Prepare chicken: Pat dry the boneless, skinless chicken thighs thoroughly with a kitchen or paper towel, then dice into evenly sized cubes to ensure even cooking.
4. Cut scallions: Trim the green parts of the remaining scallion bunch into lengths matching the chicken pieces for easy skewering.
5. Assemble skewers: Alternate threading chicken cubes and scallion pieces onto the soaked bamboo skewers, filling each skewer fully.
6. Pan-fry skewers: Preheat a pan over medium heat and lightly coat with vegetable oil. Cook the skewers for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. During the last few minutes, brush a generous amount of yakitori sauce over the skewers to glaze them thoroughly.
7. Serve: Place three glazed skewers on top of a bowl of freshly cooked white rice. Serve immediately while hot for a delicious, comforting meal. Bon Appétit!

Notes

• Soaking the bamboo skewers prevents them from burning during cooking.
• Use boneless, skinless chicken thigh for juicier and more tender results compared to chicken breast.
• The yakitori sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week.
• Adjust the sugar amount in the sauce to balance sweetness to your preference.
• Feel free to garnish with toasted sesame seeds or a sprinkle of shichimi togarashi for added flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Japanese

Keywords: Yakitori Don, Japanese Chicken Skewers, Yakitori Sauce, Quick Japanese Dinner, Chicken Rice Bowl