Yakitori, a delicious Japanese dish, is made by skewering small pieces of chicken onto bamboo skewers and grilling them over charcoal. Here's a step-by-step guide on how yakitori is typically prepared:

Prepare the Chicken:

• Start with boneless chicken meat, often using a combination of thigh, breast, skin, and other parts. Cut the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking.

Skewer the Chicken:

• Thread the chicken pieces onto bamboo skewers, making sure to leave a little space between each piece to ensure even cooking. You can alternate between different parts of the chicken or use only one type, depending on your preference.

Season the Chicken:

• Yakitori can be seasoned in various ways. You can simply sprinkle the chicken pieces with salt before grilling for a classic flavor, or you can brush them with a tare sauce, a sweet and savory soy-based glaze, during grilling for extra flavor and caramelization.

Preheat the Grill:

• Traditional yakitori is grilled over charcoal, which imparts a smoky flavor to the chicken. Preheat your charcoal grill until it reaches medium-high heat. Alternatively, you can use a gas grill or stovetop grill pan if charcoal is not available.

Grill the Yakitori:

• Once the grill is hot, place the skewered chicken onto the grill grate. Grill the chicken skewers, turning them occasionally, until they are cooked through and nicely browned on all sides. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken pieces.

Baste with Tare Sauce (Optional):

• If you're using tare sauce, brush the chicken skewers with the sauce during grilling, allowing it to caramelize and add extra flavor to the chicken. You can apply multiple layers of tare sauce for a richer flavor.

Serve the Yakitori:

• Once the chicken is cooked through and nicely charred, remove the skewers from the grill and transfer them to a serving platter. Yakitori is typically served hot, either as individual skewers or as a combination of various types of chicken skewers.

Garnish and Enjoy:

• Garnish the yakitori with chopped green onions, sesame seeds, or shichimi togarashi (Japanese seven-spice blend) for extra flavor and presentation. Serve the yakitori immediately while it's still hot and juicy.

Tips:

Yakitori is often enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or main dish and pairs well with a variety of beverages, such as beer, sake, or green tea. It's a versatile and delicious dish that showcases the simplicity and elegance of Japanese cuisine.