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    Home » Low Carb Appetizers & Snacks » Keto Chicken Yakitori

    Published: May 26, 2020 · Modified: Jan 8, 2021 by Carolyn

    Keto Chicken Yakitori

    This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    5.8K shares
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    Chicken yakitori is an easy and delicious appetizer or main dish. And this keto yakitori recipe is sugar-free and yet maintains all the classic flavor.

    Titled image of keto chicken yakitori skewers on a grey plate with a white dish of yakitori sauce

    Before I go any further, let me just tell you that this chicken yakitori recipe was a huge hit with my whole family. Call me jaded, but it’s always a shocker for me when all three of my kids agree on a meal.

    And it’s a rare treat to see my reserved 15 year old son be so enthusiastic about anything I’ve made. He’s in that delightful phase of being naturally suspicious of anything his parents do. He always eats what I make, because he’s growing like a weed and is extremely hungry. But there is often plenty of grumbling to go along with it.

    When I stated that we were having chicken yakitori for dinner, his expression was a muddled look of confusion and distain. But upon one bite of this asian-inspired grilled chicken, his faced opened up to pure happiness.

    He’s been raving about it ever since and keeps asking me to make it again. And since it’s so easy and delicious, I am happy to oblige!

    Top down photo of keto chicken skewers on a grey plate with a grey patterned napkin and a dish of yakitori sauce.

    What is chicken yakitori?

    I had only heard of these Japanese grilled chicken skewers myself a few years ago. They really are just that: Japanese chicken skewers.

    They often use many parts of the chicken, including gizzards and liver, as well as thigh meat. It’s all cut up into bite-sized pieces, and threaded onto bamboo skewers, then basted and grilled.

    Chicken yakitori has plenty of that classic umami flavor. And it makes a great handheld appetizer or an easy dinner recipe.

    A hand brushing sauce over chicken yakitori skewers

    Making keto friendly chicken yakitori

    When I saw chicken yakitori for the first time, I inquired about the sauce and whether it had sugar in it. That was a strong affirmative, so I had to give it a pass at the time.

    But I started researching homemade yakitori recipes to see if I could make a keto-friendly version. The sauce is usually made of soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, sometimes sake, and sometimes other seasonings like ginger and garlic. It’s also often thickened with cornstarch.

    This combination results in a salty sweet sauce that pairs perfectly with grilled chicken.

    For my keto chicken yakitori, I used tamari instead of soy sauce, because it’s gluten-free. I know many keto and paleo proponents recommend coconut aminos but it simply doesn’t have that classic umami flavor, and I find it a weak substitute for keto Asian recipes. Additionally, it’s actually much higher carb than real soy sauce or tamari.

    I skipped the mirin because it tends to have a high sugar content as well. I also skipped the sake.

    For the sweetener, I used mostly Swerve Brown, with a bit of BochaSweet so that the sauce wouldn’t recrystallize as it cooled. And then I added garlic, ginger, and a dash of hot pepper flakes, as I love that spicy kick in Asian inspired dishes.

    Finally, I used xanthan gum as my thickener. You could also try using glucomannan, if you prefer.

    This sauce. Oh, this sauce! People, if I could drink the sauce alone, I would. It was so good and I think it’s easily going to become my favorite keto stir fry sauce.

    A pile of chicken yakitori on a grey plate with a dish of sauce and a pattered napkin in the background

    How to serve chicken yakitori

    Chicken yakitori can be an appetizer, if you serve it on small skewers. This keto recipe would probably make 12 to 15 small skewers.

    As a main course, it can be paired with any sort of vegetable. I’ve seen yakitori include veggies like zucchini or mushrooms right on the same skewers.

    Cauliflower rice is an ideal side dish for chicken yakitori, and the extra sauce can be tossed in to give it a true Asian flavor. You could also serve it with sautéed zucchini noodles or shiritaki noodles. Or with these delicious Broccoli Stem Noodles.

    More delicious keto Asian recipes to try

    Asian Steak Bites
    These Asian Steak Bites are tender, juicy, and oh so easy to make. A deceptively simple keto dinner recipe that the whole family loves. Paleo and dairy-free too!
    Check out this recipe
    Easy Steak Bites being picked up with chopsticks
    Keto California Rolls
    No need to miss sushi on your keto diet! This low carb California Roll features thinly sliced cucumber, cauliflower rice, and plenty of fresh avocado.
    Check out this recipe
    Keto Sushi wrapped in thinly sliced cucumber on a white platter
    Spicy Tuna Stuffed Avocados
    Get your low carb keto sushi on with this spicy tuna stuffed avocado recipe. It’s paleo, easy to make, and delicious. You won’t miss the rice!
    Check out this recipe
    Easy low carb spicy tuna stuffed avocados.
    Keto Sushi Roll Salad
    Sushi roll in a bowl! This low carb cauliflower rice salad has all the great flavors of your favorite sushi in a much healthier, lighter package. It’s the perfect summer side dish.
    Check out this recipe
    Healthy Sushi Roll Salad made with Cauliflower Rice
    Asian Chicken Noodle Salad
    This keto chicken salad uses Asian flavours and konjac noodles and has a delicious freshness.
    Check out this recipe
    Garlic Ginger Shrimp Stir Fry
    Nothing beats a stir fry for an easy and healthy dinner. The problem is that those of us on a low carb diet can’t rely on cornstarch to thicken our stir fry sauce. My favourite alternative thickener is glucomannan, a fibre made from konjac root, the same ingredient found in shiratake noodles.
    Check out this recipe
    Titled image of keto chicken yakitori skewers on a grey plate with a white dish of yakitori sauce

    Keto Chicken Yakitori

    Chicken yakitori is an easy and delicious appetizer or main dish. And this keto yakitori recipe is sugar-free and yet maintains all the classic flavor.
    5 from 16 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Main Course
    Cuisine: Japanese
    Keyword: chicken yakitori recipe, keto chicken yakitori
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 17 minutes
    Total Time: 32 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 278kcal

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup tamari or soy sauce
    • ¼ cup water
    • ¼ cup Swerve Brown
    • 2 tablespoon BochaSweet (can use allulose)
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 2 cloves garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger (or ½ teaspoon ground ginger)
    • ¼ teaspoon hot pepper flakes
    • ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum
    • 2 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (chopped into bite sized pieces)
    • 2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
    • 1 medium scallion, chopped

    Instructions

    • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the tamari, water, Swerve, BochaSweet, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and hot pepper flakes. Bring to a boil.
    • Sprinkle the surface with the xanthan gum and whisk vigorously to combine. Continue to boil 2 to 3 minutes until somewhat thickened. Remove from heat and cool completely.
    • Place the chicken in a bowl and toss with ⅔ of the sauce. Refrigerate 2 hours to marinate. Reserve the remaining sauce for serving with the chicken.
    • If you're using bamboo skewers, place in a pan with water to soak for at least an hour. You will need 6 to 8 large skewers or 12 small appetizer-sized skewers.
    • Preheat the grill to medium high and grease the grates to prevent sticking. Thread the chicken onto the skewers. Place the skewers on the grill and brush the the marinating liquid.
    • Grill 5 to 6 minutes per side, brushing frequently with the marinating liquid. Remove to a platter and sprinkle with sesame seeds and scallions. Serve with the reserved sauce at the table.
    Nutrition Facts
    Keto Chicken Yakitori
    Amount Per Serving (1 serving = ⅙th of recipe)
    Calories 278 Calories from Fat 107
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 11.9g18%
    Carbohydrates 1.1g0%
    Protein 35.8g72%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    5.8K shares

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    Nutritional Disclaimer

    Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Beverly Harper says

      December 14, 2021 at 7:57 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is excellent. Easy to make and tastes like what you would get in a restaurant. I’ll make this many more times!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        December 14, 2021 at 10:04 pm

        It’s one of our faves!

        Reply
    2. Krystal Austin says

      November 30, 2021 at 11:49 pm

      5 stars
      So good I didn’t have time to marinate the chicken so I made it like a stir fry I added onions mushrooms and zucchini while family loved it

      Reply
    3. Karen Miller says

      June 13, 2021 at 2:00 pm

      5 stars
      These Yakitori Chicken Skewers were so very tasty. Followed recipe exactly, marinated 2 hours and then placed on the gas grill. I will be making these again!

      Reply
    4. Deborah M Kloss says

      January 10, 2021 at 6:53 pm

      5 stars
      Just made these for dinner….lovely! That sauce is a keeper. Thank you for your great recipes!

      Reply
    5. Paula says

      January 04, 2021 at 9:42 pm

      5 stars
      I made this recipe for dinner tonight. Delicious! Even my non keto eating husband loved and gobbled it up. I used the extra sauce to marinate small whole mushrooms, pieces of peppers & zucchini and made skewers out of them too. Definite keeper. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        January 05, 2021 at 9:23 am

        It’s one of our favorites too!

        Reply
    6. Jennifer says

      October 13, 2020 at 1:51 pm

      5 stars
      Do you think it would be ok to let the chicken marinate for 24 hours? I use whole boneless skinless thighs, if that makes a difference.

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        October 13, 2020 at 3:08 pm

        As long as it’s in the fridge!

        Reply
    7. Jaclyn Cummings says

      August 17, 2020 at 1:53 pm

      I’m not sure if I’m just missing this or not, but how many thighs and or breasts is typically used for this recipe. I want to make it this week and just need to be sure I have enough meat. Thank you

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        August 17, 2020 at 3:57 pm

        Totally depends on the size (they vary a lot) so weight is a much more accurate way of giving you an amount. You should be able to purchase by weight, even if it’s pre-packaged.

        Reply
    8. Pam Dana says

      July 02, 2020 at 12:26 pm

      5 stars
      I made this because I am trying to eat more healthy and my whole family scarfed these down!! THANKS!

      Reply
    9. Erin says

      July 02, 2020 at 12:25 pm

      5 stars
      You’re right, my whole family loved it! Good flavor and pretty easy to make.

      Reply
    10. Steph says

      July 02, 2020 at 10:45 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely fantastic and the sauce was amazing!

      Reply
    11. Lynn says

      June 15, 2020 at 8:05 pm

      5 stars
      This was a winner in our house….my family is still talking about how tasty it was! Definitely will make this again.

      Reply
    12. Sarah says

      June 10, 2020 at 6:10 pm

      Hi, I would love to try this recipe, but I don’t have bochasweet or allulose. Can those be omitted and if so, do I increase the amount of Swerve sweetener? Thanks!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        June 10, 2020 at 7:24 pm

        You can do that… but the sauce will re-crystallize. It’s just a fact when working with only erythritol based sweeteners.

        Reply
    13. Michelle Lustre-Nosal says

      June 10, 2020 at 11:14 am

      This dish sounds to delicious. However, we do not want to start the grill just for these. Can you air fry them?

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        June 10, 2020 at 5:57 pm

        No idea, you may need to experiment.

        Reply
      • Celia says

        January 13, 2021 at 2:38 pm

        Did you air fry them?

        Reply
    14. Lisa says

      June 03, 2020 at 9:07 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent! I have made it twice with chicken tenders and everyone loves it. Thank you for the countless AMAZING recipes you share wit us, Carolyn!

      Reply
    15. Ramona says

      June 03, 2020 at 9:02 am

      This was so delicious, I will make over and over…Thanks so much for this great recipe….

      Reply
    16. Kay says

      June 03, 2020 at 7:30 am

      5 stars
      Another 5 star winner! Non keto hubby gobbled it up. I didn’t skewer, although I love the idea for another time. I put boneless thighs in my Cuisinart double sided griller. Thanks so much for keeping our meals new and exciting!

      Reply
    17. Karen says

      May 27, 2020 at 7:20 pm

      5 stars
      This is NOT an understatement… You are a genius and have made our keto diet manageable. Tonight we enjoyed your chicken yakitori along with the buster bar. Thank you for sharing your talents with us all!

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        May 27, 2020 at 7:31 pm

        Yay, I am so happy someone made this. It’s seriously our new fave keto dinner.

        Reply
      • Kate says

        June 03, 2020 at 2:33 pm

        Doubling the recipe tonight (with chicken breast as it is what I have). Going to use broiler (grill does) and serve with stir-fried cauliflower rice. Can’t wait!

        Reply
        • Kate says

          June 03, 2020 at 2:34 pm

          Oof-grill died, not does!

          Reply
    18. Sandra says

      May 26, 2020 at 8:21 pm

      We loved these! It is always such a pleasure when a recipe is enjoyed by both the keto and nonketo members of the family…AND THAT SAUCE!!! (always a nice surprise when I have all the ingredients on hand the day you post a new recipe)

      Reply
    19. Kay McConnell says

      May 26, 2020 at 11:01 am

      I have to avoid soy products due to its estrogen content (breast cancer). Tamari is made from soybeans. Any thoughts as to acceptable substitutes?

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        May 26, 2020 at 3:17 pm

        Read the blog post! I talk about that.

        Reply
      • Heather says

        January 07, 2021 at 6:38 pm

        For umami flavor, check out Trader Joe’s Mushroom & Co Multi-Purpose Umami Seasoning Blend. I don’t see anything in its listed ingredients that are inflammatory no-no’s for a therapeutic diet. I’d try that mixed with coconut aminos, but again, beware of carb count on coconut aminos.

        Reply
    20. Michelle says

      May 26, 2020 at 9:45 am

      This sounds like it would be a winner on my house as well. Ok to just marinate the thighs whole and then bake?

      Reply
      • Carolyn says

        May 26, 2020 at 10:33 am

        Can’t see why not! Still save some of the sauce for serving at the table.

        Reply
        • Jennifer says

          September 09, 2020 at 4:44 pm

          5 stars
          I did mine the way Michelle suggested. The only problem – no leftovers! Yum

          Reply
        • Jackie says

          March 03, 2021 at 4:05 am

          5 stars
          This was amazing, I know I’ll be making again and again! Next time I’ll use metal skewers since, even though I soaked the bamboo ones they burnt.

          Reply
          • Carolyn says

            March 03, 2021 at 8:35 am

            So glad you like them!

            Reply
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