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Chicken Onigiri

Savory Chicken Onigiri: Quick and Tasty Japanese Snack

This Chicken Onigiri recipe combines tender chicken with sticky rice for a quick and delicious Japanese snack.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 onigiri
Course: Lunch
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 230
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Rice
  • 2 cups Cooked Sushi Rice Use high-quality short-grain rice
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Fine salt works best
  • 1 tablespoon Furikake Optional seasoning, can be replaced with sesame seeds
For the Chicken
  • 1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Drumsticks or thighs work best
  • 3 tablespoons Soy Sauce Use gluten-free if desired
  • 2 tablespoons Sake Can substitute with water or rice vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons Mirin Sweetens teriyaki sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar Can use white sugar in a pinch
  • 2 tablespoons Oil Vegetable or canola oil preferred
  • 2 cloves Minced Garlic Fresh garlic amplifies flavor
For the Wrapping
  • 4 sheets Nori Can omit or use rice paper

Equipment

  • rice cooker
  • Nonstick Pan
  • Medium bowl
  • Large bowl

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Cook the sushi rice according to your rice cooker instructions, taking about 20 minutes. Sprinkle salt and furikake, allowing it to cool.
  2. Cut chicken into small cubes. Combine with soy sauce, sake, baking soda, and cornstarch. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  3. Prepare teriyaki sauce by whisking soy sauce, mirin, and brown sugar until dissolved. Set aside.
  4. Heat oil in a large pan. Add marinated chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes until browned.
  5. Add minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Pour teriyaki sauce over chicken. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens.
  7. Wet your hands, scoop about ⅓ cup of rice, add chicken filling, cover with more rice, and shape into a triangle.
  8. Wrap shaped onigiri with nori and serve fresh.

Nutrition

Serving: 1onigiriCalories: 230kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 14gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gCalcium: 1mgIron: 5mg

Notes

Use short-grain sushi rice for optimal texture. Customize onigiri with different fillings as desired.

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