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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
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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

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5 from 5 votes
Servings: 6 servings

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!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 11 minutes
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Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

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

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

Serving: 1serving – makes 6, Calories: 220kcal, Carbohydrates: 9g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 144mg, Sodium: 588mg, Potassium: 409mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 75IU, Vitamin C: 0.9mg, Calcium: 19mg, Iron: 1.3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or tag @whatgreatgrandmaate!
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.

Jean Choi

Iโ€™m a food lover and recipe developer living in Southern California. I love to share simple and approachable gluten-free recipes that are healthy but never sacrifice on flavor.

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13 Comments

  1. Lauren says:

    This is going in the recipe box as one of our favorites! Thank you so good!!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Yay! I’m so glad you enjoyed!!

  2. Joyce says:

    5 stars
    This one is on repeat in our house!! Itโ€™s so quick and easy and great on the Traeger!

  3. Mojoblogs says:

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

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Hope you enjoy!

  4. Kara says:

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

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Ah, that makes me so happy! Thanks so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed. ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Desiree O says:

    5 stars
    Didnโ€™t have skewers, made in a hot skillet, still very delicious! Made with pineapple and brown rice! Yum!!!

    1. Jean Choi says:

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

  6. Jen says:

    I donโ€™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?

    1. Jean Choi says:

      You can cook in the broiler!

  7. Candice says:

    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!

    1. Jean Choi says:

      Thanks so much for leaving a review! I’m so happy you love it. ๐Ÿ™‚