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Chicken Onigiri

Savory Chicken Onigiri: Your New Favorite Comfort Snack

This Chicken Onigiri recipe combines deliciously marinated chicken with sticky sushi rice, creating a perfect handheld meal.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 onigiri
Course: Chicken
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 300
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Rice
  • 1 cup sushi rice Requires 15% more water than normal rice
  • ½ teaspoon fine salt Essential for seasoning the rice
  • 1 tablespoon furikake Optional, enhances flavor and presentation
For the Chicken Filling
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken Drumsticks or thighs are ideal
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce Adds delicious umami flavor
  • 1 tablespoon sake Can substitute with water
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda Tenderizes the chicken
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch Helps improve chicken texture
  • 1 tablespoon mirin Contributes to an authentic flavor
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar Balances savory flavors
  • 2 tablespoons oil For frying the chicken
  • 1 clove garlic Minced, enhances flavor
For Wrapping and Serving
  • 4 sheets nori Helps hold the onigiri shape

Equipment

  • rice cooker
  • nonstick frying pan
  • Mixing bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Rinse 1 cup of sushi rice under cold water until clear. Soak for 30 minutes, drain, then cook with 1.25 cups of water.
  2. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Combine soy sauce, sake, baking soda, and cornstarch in a bowl. Add chicken and marinate for 30 minutes.
  3. Whisk together soy sauce, mirin, and brown sugar to create teriyaki sauce.
  4. Heat oil in a pan. Fry marinated chicken for 4-5 minutes, add garlic for 30 seconds, then pour in teriyaki sauce.
  5. Shape onigiri by moistened hands, using sushi rice to form triangles with teriyaki chicken filling.
  6. Wrap nori around the bottom half of each rice triangle.

Nutrition

Serving: 1onigiriCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 15gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 1gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 20IUCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Cool the rice completely before shaping. Adjust seasonings to taste and experiment with different fillings if desired.

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