Japanese Chicken Yakitori Skewers (Printable Version)
Tender chicken and spring onion skewers glazed with authentic tare sauce, grilled until glossy and caramelized.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken and Vegetables
01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 2 spring onions (scallions), cut into 1-inch pieces
03 - 12 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
→ Yakitori Sauce (Tare)
04 - 1/3 cup soy sauce
05 - 1/4 cup mirin
06 - 1/4 cup sake
07 - 2 tbsp sugar
08 - 1 garlic clove, crushed
09 - 1 small piece (2 cm) fresh ginger, sliced
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, garlic, and ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 8–10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and strain out the garlic and ginger pieces.
02 - Thread chicken cubes and spring onion pieces alternately onto the pre-soaked bamboo skewers, ensuring even distribution for uniform cooking.
03 - Prepare a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking and ensure proper searing.
04 - Place skewers on the hot grill and cook for 3 minutes per side. Begin brushing with the prepared yakitori sauce after each turn. Continue grilling, turning and basting frequently, for 6–8 additional minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and develops a glossy, caramelized coating.
05 - Remove skewers from the grill and serve hot. Drizzle with any remaining yakitori sauce for enhanced flavor.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The homemade tare sauce tastes infinitely better than anything store-bought, and it keeps for weeks in the fridge
- These skewers disappear faster than I can grill them, whether Im hosting friends or just making Tuesday dinner feel special
02 -
- I once skipped soaking the skewers and ended up with burnt bamboo flavor in my chicken, so do not skip that step
- The sauce will seem thin when you first make it, but it thickens beautifully on the hot grill
03 -
- Chicken thigh cubes that are uniformly sized cook evenly and look beautiful on the skewer
- Brush the sauce on during the last few minutes of grilling to prevent burning the sugars