This Keto Air Fryer Chicken Yakitori is an easy tasty version of our traditional keto 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 keto 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 keto?
Traditional flavors for yakitori include shio (salt) and tare (soy based sauce). For this recipe, we chose to make our own keto 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.
The special ingredients needed for this recipe are Swerve/Monkfruit, Bonito Flakes, Soy Sauce, Toasted Sesame Seed (optional) and Japanese Sake. All these can be picked up on Amazon (aside from Japanese sake) or a local Asian Supermarket.
You’ll also need an Air Fryer, which if you’re on the fence about, we couldn’t recommend them more! It’s a deep frying game changer if you dislike traditional frying methods!
Now, if you’re ready, let’s get air frying some Japanese Yakitori Chicken Skewers!
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 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, 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 low-carb Keto Air Fryer Chicken Yakitori!
If you’re looking for other recipe ideas, be sure to check out our growing Recipe Index full of Asian inspired recipes!
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Keto 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 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, 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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