Quick Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Tare Sauce

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

Juicy grilled chicken skewers brushed with a homemade sweet soy glaze, perfect for a Japanese-style appetizer or meal. This japanese ready in about 30 minutes pairs soy sauce, mirin, sake for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 300 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

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. Simmer over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened into a tare sauce, then set aside to cool.
  2. Step 2: Thread 1 lb boneless skin-on chicken thigh pieces alternately with 3 stalks cut scallions onto 8 bamboo skewers.
  3. Step 3: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and brush the surface with 1 tbsp vegetable oil. Grill the skewers for 3-4 minutes per side until the chicken is cooked through and golden.
  4. Step 4: During the last 2 minutes of grilling, brush the skewers generously with the prepared tare sauce, turning often, until the glaze is sticky and caramelized.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with extra tare sauce for dipping.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Quick 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 Quick 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 soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Quick 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 Quick 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 Quick Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Tare Sauce?

Japanese japanese 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes