Authentic Yakitori Chicken Skewers with Tare Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs grilled to perfection with a deeply savory-sweet tare glaze that captures the essence of Tokyo street food. The perfect balance of umami and caramelized perfection. This japanese-inspired asian ready in about 40 minutes pairs chicken thighs, mirin, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.1 (11 ratings) Prep: 25 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Trim excess fat from chicken thighs and cut into 1-inch cubes, leaving skin on for crispiness. Thread 3 pieces onto each soaked skewer, pressing gently to secure.
  2. Step 2: Whisk mirin, soy sauce, sake, sugar, and 1 tsp sesame oil in a bowl until sugar dissolves completely. Brush half the glaze over skewers and let marinate for 15 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Heat grill pan over medium-high heat. Place skewers in a single layer and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until chicken is golden and edges are slightly charred.
  4. Step 4: Brush with remaining glaze during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Transfer to a plate, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve immediately while hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Authentic Yakitori Chicken Skewers with Tare Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (25 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Authentic Yakitori Chicken Skewers with Tare Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Yakitori Chicken Skewers with Tare Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Authentic Yakitori Chicken Skewers with Tare Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Authentic Yakitori Chicken Skewers with Tare Glaze?

Japanese asian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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