Soy-Marinated Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Scallion

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

Grilled chicken skewers marinated in a savory soy and mirin sauce, threaded with scallions for a classic Japanese street food experience. This japanese ready in about 50 minutes pairs scallions, cut into 1-inch pieces, 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: 40 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons mirin, 2 tablespoons sake, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. Stir until sugar dissolves to create the marinade.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 pound boneless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces to the marinade, mix well to coat, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to absorb flavors.
  3. Step 3: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Thread marinated chicken pieces alternately with 3 stalks scallions cut into 1-inch pieces onto 8 soaked wooden skewers.
  4. Step 4: Grill the skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, basting occasionally with leftover marinade, until chicken is cooked through and edges slightly charred.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes before serving warm as a savory appetizer or main.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Soy-Marinated Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Scallion take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (40 min prep + 10 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 Soy-Marinated Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Scallion?

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 Soy-Marinated Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Scallion?

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 Soy-Marinated Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Scallion 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 Soy-Marinated Chicken Yakitori Skewers with Scallion?

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.

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