Hakata-Style Chicken Skewers with Traditional Tare Sauce

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

Grilled chicken skewers glazed in a rich, savory-sweet tare sauce, featuring the perfect balance of soy, mirin, and sake for an authentic Japanese street food experience. This Asian recipe, ready in about 32 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 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp sake, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp sesame oil in a bowl until sugar dissolves completely. Stir in 1 tsp grated ginger and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Thread 12 oz chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes, onto 8 soaked bamboo skewers, leaving 1/4 inch between pieces for even cooking.
  3. Step 3: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and brush with 1 tbsp of the tare sauce. Place skewers on the pan and brush with another 1 tbsp tare sauce. Cook for 3 minutes per side until golden and slightly charred, basting occasionally with remaining sauce.
  4. Step 4: Transfer skewers to a plate, garnish with 2 sliced green onions, and serve immediately with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Hakata-Style Chicken Skewers with Traditional Tare Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 32 minutes (20 min prep + 12 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 Hakata-Style Chicken Skewers with Traditional 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 Hakata-Style Chicken Skewers with Traditional 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 Hakata-Style Chicken Skewers with Traditional 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 Hakata-Style Chicken Skewers with Traditional Tare Sauce?

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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