Grilled Yakitori Skewers
Yakitori are classic Japanese grilled chicken skewers glazed with a sweet and savory tare sauce made from soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Grilling over high heat creates a beautifully caramelized exterior while keeping the chicken tender and juicy inside.
Sweet and savory Japanese grilled chicken skewers basted with a sticky soy and mirin tare glaze.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
main
sauce
equipment
Instructions
Make the Tare Sauce
Combine soy sauce, mirin, sugar, and sake in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely then bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly into a glossy glaze. Remove from heat and set aside.
Skewer the Chicken
Thread 3 to 4 pieces of chicken onto each presoaked bamboo skewer, pushing the pieces close together so they stay moist during grilling. Season lightly with salt before grilling to enhance the natural flavor of the chicken.
Grill the Skewers
Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to high heat and lightly oil the grates. Grill skewers for 3 to 4 minutes per side until the chicken develops char marks and is nearly cooked through. Brush generously with tare sauce and grill for 1 more minute per side to caramelize the glaze.
Glaze and Serve
Remove skewers from the grill and brush on one final coat of tare sauce while still hot. Allow to rest for 2 minutes before serving so the juices redistribute. Serve with a side of steamed rice and sprinkle with thinly sliced green onions if desired.
Substitutions
Common mistakes
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