Japanese-Style Smoked Chicken Yakitori Skewers

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

Tender smoked chicken skewers glazed with a savory-sweet tare sauce for a smoky Japanese BBQ experience. This japanese-inspired bbq & smoked ready in about 85 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, soy sauce, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 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: 25 min Cook: 60 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup mirin, 1/4 cup sake, 3 tbsp brown sugar, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  2. Step 2: Cut 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs into 1.5-inch chunks. Thread chicken pieces onto soaked bamboo skewers, about 4-5 pieces per skewer.
  3. Step 3: Preheat smoker to 225°F using cherry or oak wood chips. Place chicken skewers on the smoker grate and smoke for 45 minutes until cooked through and lightly smoky.
  4. Step 4: Brush the chicken skewers generously with the cooled tare sauce. Increase smoker temperature or finish on a hot grill for 5 minutes per side, basting with more sauce until caramelized and sticky.
  5. Step 5: Chop 4 green onions finely and sprinkle over skewers before serving warm with steamed rice or vegetables.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Japanese-Style Smoked Chicken Yakitori Skewers take to make?

Total time is about 85 minutes (25 min prep + 60 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 Japanese-Style Smoked Chicken Yakitori Skewers?

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 boneless chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Japanese-Style Smoked Chicken Yakitori Skewers?

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 Japanese-Style Smoked Chicken Yakitori Skewers 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 Japanese-Style Smoked Chicken Yakitori Skewers?

Japanese bbq & smoked 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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