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What Great Grandma Ate / Recipes / 30 Minutes or Less / Paleo Chicken Yakitori aka Japanese Chicken Skewers (Whole30, Keto, AIP Option)

Paleo Chicken Yakitori aka Japanese Chicken Skewers (Whole30, Keto, AIP Option)

Last Updated on February 24, 2020 by Jean Choi 22 Comments

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Grab a copy of my cookbook, Korean Paleo: 80 Bold-Flavored, Gluten- and Grain-Free Recipes!

This healthy and low carb version of paleo chicken yakitori is super flavorful, while being easy to make. It’s the perfect Whole30 and keto summer grilling recipe!

paleo chicken yakitori recipe prepared on the grill and served with sauce

We’ve been nonstop grilling these days and I’ve been loving it. Our meals have been quick, easy and flavorful for this reason and my husband and I are not complaining one bit. My recent creation is this paleo chicken yakitori, and I made it after recently going through photos of my trip to Japan last year. Not only did we have the most amazing sushi and raw fish, we had the yummiest and the most addicting grilled meats.

Paleo Chicken Yakitori Recipe

Traditionally, a Japanese chicken yakitori recipe uses sugar to give that sweet and smoky taste to the sauce. However, in this low carb and low sugar version, I use medjool dates and coconut aminos to create that natural sweetness without giving you that sugar hangover.

Not only is this paleo chicken yakitori recipe much healthier, you actually can’t notice much of the a difference from the traditional version! Of course, if you are not doing the Whole30 challenge, you can substitute medjool dates with honey and it’ll still be healthier than the traditional version.

Japanese chicken yakitori sauce getting brushed on chicken
paleo chicken yakitori - one of my favorite Whole30 chicken recipes!

What is Japanese Chicken Yakitori?

Yakitori is Japanese chicken skewers that’s seasoned with salt and/or sauce. When a sauce is used, it’s usually a flavor combination of salty and sweet, which makes it super addicting and delicious (like my version here!). It’s a popular street food in Japan, and typically enjoyed with an alcoholic beverage like sake or beer.

When I was in Japan with my parents, we ended up at a yakitori shop late at night where there were many young and old patrons enjoying these Japanese chicken skewers while continuously ordering drinks with friends. It was such a fun and lively atmosphere!

Japanese chicken skewers close up

Tips for Making This Paleo Chicken Yakitori

These Japanese chicken skewers are easy and fun to make! It also cooks quickly so you’ll have it on the table in no time, perfect for weekday grilling. To make these extra delicious and flavorful, I do suggest the following.

  • Use chicken thighs instead of breasts. They are juicier and more flavorful, and it’ll ensure that the meat doesn’t dry out.
  • Cut the chicken into squares that are flat. This way, you only have to grill 2 sides of the chicken (and not 4) for it to fully cook through quickly.
  • Do not leave out tapioca starch for the sauce. This helps the yakitori sauce thicken. You can also substitute with arrowroot starch if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Don’t forget to season the grill with oil! Nothing ruins thin cut meats quicker on the grill than when they stick to the grill and fall apart.
  • This Japanese chicken yakitori can easily be made AIP compliant with simple omissions and substitutions. This won’t change the flavor too much so I hope you try it out if you are on the autoimmune protocol!
paleo chicken yakitori dipped in sauce

Other recipes you may love…

  • Grilled Lemon Curry Shrimp Skewers
  • Grilled Salmon Skewers with Lemon Garlic Marinade
  • Curry Chicken Skewers
  • Paleo & Whole30 Sesame Chicken

Paleo Chicken Yakitori aka Japanese Chicken Skewers (Whole30, Keto, AIP Option)

This healthy and low carb version of paleo chicken yakitori is super flavorful, while being easy to make. It's the perfect Whole30 and keto summer grilling recipe!
5 from 14 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: aip grilling, asian chicken recipes, chicken skewers, grill chicken recipes, keto grill recipes, low carb grilling, whole30 chicken recipes, whole30 grilling
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 11 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 220kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into flat 1-2 inch squares
  • 1 bunch green onions cut into 1 inch pieces
  • Salt and pepper to taste, omit pepper for AIP
  • Toasted sesame seeds for garnish, omit for AIP

Yakitori Sauce

  • 1/2 cup coconut aminos
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar use apple cider vinegar or coconut vinegar for AIP
  • 1 pitted medjool date sub with 1-2 tbsp of honey if not Whole30
  • 1 tbsp tapioca starch
  • 1/2 inch fresh ginger
  • 1 garlic clove

Equipment

  • Metal skewers Bamboo also works

Instructions

  • If using bamboo skewers, soak them for 20 minutes.
  • Place all ingredients for the yakitori sauce in a blender and blend until smooth.
  • Pour into a small saucepan and heat over medium high heat. Let the mixture come to a boil for about 3 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
  • Separate 1/2 cup of the sauce for basting the chicken, and set aside the rest for serving.
  • Thread the chicken pieces and green onions on the skewers, alternating them. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Generously grease the grill so the chicken won't stick, then heat the grill over medium high heat.
  • Add the skewers on the grill, cover, and cook for 2 minutes. Flip the skewers and repeat.
  • Brush the top layer of skewers with the prepared yakitori sauce, then cover and cook for 2 more minutes. Flip the chicken, and repeat by putting on another layer of the sauce on the other side and cooking for 2 more minutes.
  • Serve immediately, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and with extra yakitori sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Paleo Chicken Yakitori aka Japanese Chicken Skewers (Whole30, Keto, AIP Option)
Amount Per Serving (1 serving – makes 6)
Calories 220 Calories from Fat 54
% Daily Value*
Fat 6g9%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 144mg48%
Sodium 588mg26%
Potassium 409mg12%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 3g3%
Protein 29g58%
Vitamin A 75IU2%
Vitamin C 0.9mg1%
Calcium 19mg2%
Iron 1.3mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.


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By Jean Choi | July 15, 2019

Comments

  1. Cathy Brak says

    July 19, 2019 at 4:49 pm

    5 stars
    I made this for dinner tonight, and we loved it! It’s hard to believe that sauce isn’t loaded with sugar!

    Reply
  2. Raia says

    July 23, 2019 at 12:46 pm

    5 stars
    Ooooh, those skewers looks so juicy and delicious! That sauce sounds pretty yummy, too!

    Reply
  3. Irena Macri says

    July 23, 2019 at 2:00 pm

    5 stars
    Yakitori is one of my favourite Japanese dishes and I have fond memories of having them in Tokyo as well. I have never made them at home (only something similar) so I really appreciate this healthy recipe version. They are as good as I remember!

    Reply
  4. ChihYu says

    July 24, 2019 at 11:17 am

    5 stars
    Yakitori is a Summer favorite! The sauce without refined sugar but has all of the taste is a game changer!

    Reply
  5. Joni Gomes says

    July 24, 2019 at 4:13 pm

    Omg yum! Love the use of medjool dates to sweetened the sauce! Will definitely give your recipe a try!

    Reply
  6. STACEY CRAWFORD says

    July 25, 2019 at 9:16 am

    5 stars
    Wow, it is so hard to find a Yakatori that is GF and low in sugar. This is brilliant!!

    Reply
  7. Kari - Get Inspired Everyday! says

    July 25, 2019 at 4:32 pm

    5 stars
    I love how these skewers are juicy and glistening in your photos, these look absolutely scrumptious!

    Reply
  8. paleoglutenfreeguy says

    July 26, 2019 at 12:01 pm

    5 stars
    That sauce tho! I want to brush it on allllll the things.

    Reply
  9. Hope says

    July 27, 2019 at 3:02 pm

    5 stars
    I love yakitori – and love this healthier version even better! Made this the other night and it was sooo good! Will be going on regular rotation in our house!

    Reply
  10. Embeya says

    December 12, 2019 at 1:56 am

    5 stars
    Woooow…..I think I will look for these and try your recipe this weekend. Thank you for sharing!

    Dang Thai from Embeya!

    Reply
  11. Candice says

    February 13, 2020 at 1:41 pm

    5 stars
    One of my absolute favourite recipes!! Such amazing flavour! I always make lots of the sauce and keep it in the fridge and can whip up a meal mid week. My whole family loves it!

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      February 13, 2020 at 5:24 pm

      Thanks so much for leaving a review! I’m so happy you love it. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Jen says

    February 15, 2020 at 12:24 pm

    I don’t have a grill or skewers but the ingredients sound delicious and I want to try it. Do you have a suggestion for how to cook this without a grill?

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      February 24, 2020 at 7:17 am

      You can cook in the broiler!

      Reply
  13. Gina says

    February 17, 2020 at 3:24 pm

    Looks fantastic!!! I never thought to season the grill. It addresses one of the reasons I tend to not make skewers. I will give it another thy with this tip

    Reply
  14. Desiree O says

    March 17, 2020 at 4:54 pm

    5 stars
    Didn’t have skewers, made in a hot skillet, still very delicious! Made with pineapple and brown rice! Yum!!!

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      March 18, 2020 at 7:07 am

      Yum! So glad you liked it. What a great idea with the pineapple!

      Reply
  15. Kara says

    March 26, 2020 at 4:46 pm

    5 stars
    Love this recipe just made it tonight. So grateful I stumbled across your website. Starting this new diet I have Hashimoto’s. I’m a big foodie, and I’m not just saying this this is one of my favorite chicken recipes.
    Made this with a side of your zucchini recipe. Excellent

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      March 30, 2020 at 7:58 am

      Ah, that makes me so happy! Thanks so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed. 🙂

      Reply
  16. Mojoblogs says

    November 15, 2020 at 1:17 am

    This made me hungry! I will definitely try this recipe. I bet this is so good! Thank you for sharing this.

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      November 15, 2020 at 10:45 am

      Hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  17. Joyce says

    June 10, 2022 at 4:24 pm

    5 stars
    This one is on repeat in our house!! It’s so quick and easy and great on the Traeger!

    Reply

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Welcome!

headshot of Jean Choi - blogger of What Great Grandma Ate I’m Jean and I’m a Nutritional Therapist (NTP) living in Southern California with my husband and 2 dog babies. On WGGA, you’ll find simple and easy gluten-, dairy-, and processed sugar-free recipes that focus on quality nutrients, and of course, never sacrifice on taste. I believe that the food you love should love you back, making you feel amazing inside and out. I apologize in advance for my inappropriate jokes and misunderstood sarcasm! More About Jean

Recipe Key

  • 3030 Min or Less
  • AIPAIP
  • EFEgg Free
  • LCLow Carb
  • NFNut Free
  • PPaleo
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  • W3Whole 30

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