Yakitori Chicken Skewers
Charcoal-grilled chicken skewers lacquered in a tare that gets richer every time you use it. The Japanese izakaya standard, and one of the best things you can do with chicken thighs and a hot grill.
Method
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Simmer all the tare ingredients in a small pan for 12 to 15 minutes until reduced by a third and lightly syrupy. Strain and cool.
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Thread the chicken onto skewers, alternating meat, a fold of skin and a length of spring onion, packing the pieces snugly so they cook evenly.
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Season the skewers lightly with salt and leave for 10 minutes.
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Get a charcoal grill or a ridged griddle very hot. Grill the skewers for 3 minutes per side, turning once, until the skin is blistered and the meat is opaque.
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Now begin glazing: brush with tare, grill 45 seconds, turn and repeat. Do this three times per side, building up thin, dried layers.
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Rest for 2 minutes, then serve dusted with shichimi togarashi and with a small bowl of extra tare.
Chef’s Tips
- Use two skewers per row rather than one; the pieces cannot spin when you turn them.
- Shield the exposed skewer ends with a folded strip of foil to stop them burning through.
- Keep leftover tare in a jar in the fridge. It improves indefinitely as you reuse it.
Pairing Suggestions
- Cold beer or a junmai sake
- Serve with edamame and pickled cucumber
- Finish with a grilled peach
Storage & Reheating
The tare keeps for months refrigerated. Cooked skewers keep 2 days; reheat under a hot grill for 3 minutes with a fresh brush of tare.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.