Grilled Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Tare Sauce

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

Tender chicken pieces grilled on skewers and brushed with a glossy, savory-sweet tare sauce, capturing the essence of Japanese street food. This japanese-inspired sushi ready in about 30 minutes pairs chicken thighs, soy sauce, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup mirin, 2 tbsp sake, and 2 tbsp sugar; bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly; remove from heat and let cool as tare sauce.
  2. Step 2: Thread the 1 lb cubed chicken thighs and 4 cut green onion pieces alternately onto 8 soaked bamboo skewers.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and brush the surface with 1 tbsp vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
  4. Step 4: Place the skewers on the grill and cook for 4 minutes per side, turning carefully, brushing generously with the tare sauce during the last 2 minutes to create a shiny glaze.
  5. Step 5: Remove the skewers when the chicken is cooked through and slightly caramelized, about 10 minutes total, and serve hot with extra tare sauce for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Tare Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Grilled Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Tare Sauce?

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 Grilled Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Tare Sauce?

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 Grilled Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Tare Sauce 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 Grilled Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Tare Sauce?

Japanese sushi 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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