This Air Fryer Chicken Yakitori is an easy tasty version of our traditional yakitori chicken that’s cooked in an air fryer rather than over an open flame. It’s the same great taste with different cooking methods, perfect for those of you that love using an air fryer!
While searching on the internet the other day, I realized there was a shortage of Japanese air fryer recipes let alone low carb air fryer recipes.
This is why I decided that I wanted to try to incorporate more air fryer friendly recipes into LCA for people like me who love using an air fryer!
My kids love anything that’s cooked on a skewer, especially Japanese chicken skewers aka yakitori, so I set out to experiment using the air fryer.
Turns out, it’s so easy and takes only 12 minutes! The taste is great and you don’t have to bother with using the grill.
What type of chicken to use for Japanese yakitori?
Traditionally, dark meat such as thighs are used to make yakitori since they tend to be more tender and juicy. Thighs are usually cut into blocks and skewered with or without green onions.
Air frying versus barbecue chicken yakitori?
In my opinion, both ways are great and have their own pros and cons. I love the air fry method because it’s easy, quick and you don’t have to mess with grilling and an open fire. Not to mention, weather dependent. However, grilling has it’s own benefit because you get that delicious char flavor that you can not achieve with an air fryer.
How do you season Japanese yakitori to make it low carb ?
Traditional flavors for yakitori include shio (salt) and tare (soy based sauce). For this recipe, we chose to make our own version of tare, a sweet and savory umami sauce that we use to brush on the skewers. The end result is a wonderful brown glaze that compliments the chicken perfectly.
What are other tips for chicken yakitori?
- Soak skewers in water before skewering to ensure the skewers doesn’t burn or catch on fire. This is recommended for either method.
- Brine chicken in salt water for added flavor and tenderness.
- Turn and baste skewers half way to ensure even cooking and flavor.
Are there any other Yakitori recipes I can try?
- Bacon Wrapped Enoki – Yakitori
- Bacon Wrapped Quail Eggs – Yakitori
- Pork Belly Wrapped Asparagus and Okra – Yakitori
- Japanese Chicken Skewers – Yakitori Negima
- Japanese Beef Skewers – Kushiyaki
Now, let’s get making this Air Fryer Chicken Yakitori recipe!
- Brine time 1H (optional)
- Prepping Time 10M
- Cooking Time 10M
- Total Time 20M
- Net Carb/Skewer ~1g
- Serving 3-4 Skewers
Ingredients
Chicken Skewer
- 1/2 lb Boneless and Skinless Chicken Thigh (about 2-3 pieces)
- 2 Cups Water (optional brine)
- 1 tbsp Salt (optional brine)
- 3 Stalk Green Onions
- 3-6 Wooden Skewers
- 1/8 tsp Toasted Sesame Seed (optional)
Sauce
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 tbsp Japanese Sake
- 1 tbsp Water
- 1 1/2 tbsp Monkfruit Erythritol Blend (or sweetener of choice)
- 1/2 Cup Bonito Flakes
- 1 Garlic Clove
Directions
1) Gather all the ingredients.
2) Optional Brine – In a mixing bowl, add 2 cups of water and 1 tbsp of salt. Add chicken and brine for 1 hour. Note – be careful not to over brine, otherwise it will come out too salty.
3) Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 5 minutes.
4) Grate garlic and set aside.
5) In a stove top pot, add all the ingredients for the sauce, Soy Sauce, Japanese sake, water, Monkfruit Erythritol Blend, Bonito Flakes, and grated garlic and bring to boil. Once boiling, reduce to simmer heat and let the sauce simmer for 2-4 minutes or until slightly reduced. Once reduced, strain sauce with a strainer and make sure to squeeze/press any excess sauce from the Bonito Flakes. Split the sauce into to 2 bowls, one for basting and another has a dipping/drizzling sauce.
6) Cut green onions into 1 inch pieces and set aside.
7) Cut chicken into 1/2 x 1/2 cube size bites and set aside.
8) Skewer chicken loosely (do not pack in tight). Use 2-3 pieces of chicken for every piece of green onion as picture shown.
9) Generously baste yakitori chicken skewer with sauce from step 5) and transfer to an Air Fryer. Cook for 4-5 minutes @ 390F, rotate the skewers and generously baste skewers again. Cook for another 6-8 minutes @ 390F until browned and internal temp reaches 165F. Once done, transfer to a serving plate, sprinkle optional Toasted Sesame Seed, and drizzle reserved sauce. Enjoy!
Hope you enjoy your Air Fryer Chicken Yakitori!
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Air Fryer Chicken Yakitori
Ingredients
Chicken Skewer
- 1/2 lb Boneless and Skinless Chicken Thigh about 2-3 pieces
- 2 Cups Water optional brine
- 1 tbsp Salt optional brine
- 3 Stalk Green Onions
- 3-6 Wooden Skewers
- 1/8 tsp Toasted Sesame Seed optional
Sauce
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 tbsp Japanese Sake
- 1 tbsp Water
- 1 1/2 tbsp Monkfruit Erythritol Blend or sweetener of choice
- 1/2 Cup Bonito Flakes
- 1 Clove Garlic
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Optional Brine - In a mixing bowl, add 2 cups of water and 1 tbsp of salt. Add chicken and brine for 1 hour. Note - be careful not to over brine, otherwise it will come out too salty.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 5 minutes.
- Grate garlic and set aside.
- In a stove top pot, add all the ingredients for the sauce, Soy Sauce, Japanese sake, water, Monkfruit Erythritol Blend, Bonito Flakes, and grated garlic and bring to boil. Once boiling, reduce to simmer heat and let the sauce simmer for 2-4 minutes or until slightly reduced. Once reduced, strain sauce with a strainer and make sure to squeeze/press any excess sauce from the Bonito Flakes. Split the sauce into to 2 bowls, one for basting and another has a dipping/drizzling sauce.
- Cut green onions into 1 inch pieces and set aside.
- Cut chicken into 1/2 x 1/2 cube size bites and set aside.
- Skewer chicken loosely (do not pack in tight). Use 2-3 pieces of chicken for every piece of green onion as picture shown.
- Generously baste yakitori chicken skewer with sauce from step 5) and transfer to an Air Fryer. Cook for 4-5 minutes @ 390F, rotate the skewers and generously baste skewers again. Cook for another 6-8 minutes @ 390F until browned and internal temp reaches 165F. Once done, transfer to a serving plate, sprinkle optional Toasted Sesame Seed, and drizzle reserved sauce. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
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