Japanese Yakitori Chicken Skewers Recipe Easy Sticky Tare Glaze Guide
Juicy, flavorful Japanese yakitori chicken skewers glazed with a sticky, sweet and savory tare sauce. This easy recipe brings authentic taste with simple ingredients and quick prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds boneless chicken thighs with skin, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 10 wooden skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup mirin (sweet rice wine)
- 1/4 cup sake (Japanese cooking wine, optional)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar or light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Green onions, thinly sliced for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cut chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer the sauce until it thickens to a syrupy consistency, about 10-12 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Drain skewers and thread 4-5 pieces of chicken per skewer, leaving space between pieces for even cooking.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Lightly oil the grates or pan to prevent sticking.
- Grill skewers for 3-4 minutes per side, basting generously with tare glaze after flipping. Repeat basting and turning 2-3 times until chicken is cooked through and glossy. Internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Transfer skewers to a serving plate, garnish with sliced green onions if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
Soak wooden skewers for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning. Baste often with tare glaze for a glossy, flavorful finish. If glaze thickens too much, add a splash of water to loosen. Let skewers rest briefly after grilling to lock in juices. The tare sauce tastes better after resting for a few hours or overnight.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 3 skewers per
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Protein: 25
Keywords: yakitori, chicken skewers, Japanese recipe, tare glaze, grilled chicken, easy dinner, sticky glaze, Japanese cuisine