Savory Chicken Onigiri

This Savory Chicken Onigiri That Will Change Your Snack Game comes together in about 30 minutes and is made using a simple pan-frying technique for a quick and easy snack that your family will love! Trust me, this onigiri recipe is about to become your go-to for busy weeknights or just when the snack cravings hit!

Chicken Onigiri Ingredients

• 4 cups cooked sushi rice: This ensures the onigiri holds together with that perfect sticky texture.
• 0.5 teaspoon fine salt: Just a couple pinches to enhance the flavor in the rice.
• 2 tablespoons furikake: Totally optional but adds a fun layer of flavor!
• 0.5 pound boneless skinless chicken: I recommend drumsticks since they’re juicy and full of flavor.
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce: This brings out that deep umami flavor you crave.
• 1 tablespoon sake: Just a splash, it enhances the overall flavor beautifully.
• 0.25 teaspoon baking soda: It tenderizes the chicken, making it melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch: This helps create a glaze that adds a lovely shine to the chicken.
• 1 tablespoon mirin: A sweet rice wine that gives depth and a hint of sweetness.
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar: Adds that caramel-like sweetness to balance the savory.
• 1 tablespoon oil: For cooking the chicken; I’m all about that golden, crispy texture!
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic: Because garlic makes everything better and am I right?
• 1 sheet nori: Cut into small rectangles, this will add that essential Japanese touch.

How to Make Chicken Onigiri

1. Prepare the Rice (About 10 minutes)
   If you don’t have leftover cooked sushi rice, you’ll want to cook some first! Rinse the sushi rice in cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch. Cook according to package instructions or use a rice cooker. Once it’s done, let it cool slightly. Fluff with a fork then season it with a pinch of salt and a couple tablespoons of furikake. Mix gently and set aside!

2. Cook the Chicken (15-20 minutes)
   Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium-high heat. While it’s heating, cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces. This helps it cook evenly and quickly! Add the chicken to the hot pan and season it with a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Cook until it’s golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.Wait, did I mention how heavenly it smells already? Trust me, the aroma of garlic wafting through your kitchen is divine! Speaking of garlic, throw in the minced garlic for the last minute of cooking until fragrant. You’ll love this part!

3. Create the Glaze (5 minutes)
   In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sake, mirin, brown sugar, baking soda, and cornstarch. Pour this mixture over the cooked chicken and stir, oh my gosh, you’re going to wish you could eat it straight from the pan! Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is coated in a thick, shiny glaze, it’s almost too pretty to eat…

4. Shape the Onigiri (5 minutes)
   With wet hands (to prevent sticking), take a scoop of sushi rice and flatten it into your palm. Add a few pieces of the glazed chicken right in the center, and then mold the rice over the chicken to create a triangle shape. Don’t worry about being perfect; they can be beautifully rustic! Repeat this with the remaining rice and chicken.

5. Wrap it Up (Optional, About 5 minutes)
   If you’re feeling fancy, grab your nori sheets. Cut them into rectangles, and wrap one piece around each onigiri. Not only does it make it look adorable, but it adds a brilliant layer of flavor and texture.

And voilà! Your savory chicken onigiri is ready to be devoured!

If you loved this onigiri recipe, be sure to check out my easy Omurice, my California Roll Sushi Bowls, or my Japanese Hamburg Steak!

Tips for Success

Customizable

The beauty of this savory chicken onigiri recipe is its flexibility! Use whichever seasonings you have in your pantry. Love a spicy kick? Toss in some Sriracha while making the glaze! Want to sneak in veggies? Shredded carrots or peas would blend seamlessly too. Seriously, the possibilities are endless!

Meal Prep And Storage

You can make a big batch and store leftover onigiri in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just keep them in an airtight container to maintain their texture. You can also freeze them, but for the best results, make sure to omit the nori until you’re ready to eat, they get soggy when frozen.

Reheating

If you’re reheating, the microwave is quick and easy. Just pop one on a plate and heat for about 30 seconds. Want that crispy texture back? Try a pan on medium-low heat for a few minutes instead. It’s like having a fresh batch all over again!

Say Hello to Comfort Food

What can I say? Whenever I feel overwhelmed or need a pick-me-up, this onigiri is my answer. It’s loaded with tons of flavor and the kind of comfort food you just want to wrap your arms around.

Serving Suggestions

These savory chicken onigiri can be served solo as a snazzy snack or added to a more substantial meal. Pair them with a tangy dipping sauce, like soy sauce or ponzu for that extra zing. You can also serve alongside a light salad or steamed veggies for a complete meal. Honestly, I often find myself munching on them while I’m working from home, they’re that addictive!

Keeping Leftovers Fresh

• Storage: These onigiri can be kept in the fridge for about 3 days max.
• Reheating: Best to do this on the stovetop or in the microwave as mentioned above.
• Freezing: Absolutely! Just be sure to exclude the nori until you’re ready to enjoy them to maintain texture.

So there you have it, your new favorite recipe! Savory chicken onigiri is quick, simple, and oh-so-delicious. It fits perfectly into any busy weeknight, snack attack, or lunch box dilemma you might find yourself in. No special kitchen gadgets or techniques required! Whether you decide to whip them up on a Tuesday night or serve them at a weekend gathering, they’re sure to impress.

Now, go ahead and give this recipe a try! I promise you’ll be changing your snack game forever.

Happy cooking, friends! And for more recipes, follow us on Pinterest.

Savory Chicken Onigiri

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• Author: amelia
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

A quick and easy savory chicken onigiri recipe perfect for busy weeknights and satisfying snack cravings.

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Ingredients

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• 4 cups cooked sushi rice
• 0.5 teaspoon fine salt
• 2 tablespoons furikake
• 0.5 pound boneless skinless chicken
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sake
• 0.25 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon mirin
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 sheet nori, cut into small rectangles

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Instructions

1. Prepare the rice: Rinse the sushi rice in cold water until the water runs clear. Cook according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork, season with salt and furikake, and set aside.
2. Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to the hot pan. Season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown (about 5-7 minutes). Add minced garlic in the last minute.
3. Create the glaze: Whisk soy sauce, sake, mirin, brown sugar, baking soda, and cornstarch in a bowl. Pour over cooked chicken and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until coated.
4. Shape the onigiri: With wet hands, take sushi rice, flatten it, add glazed chicken in the center, and mold the rice over to form a triangle.
5. Wrap it up (optional): Cut nori into rectangles and wrap around each onigiri for added flavor.

Notes

This recipe is highly customizable; feel free to use different proteins or vegetables based on what you have on hand.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snack
• Method: Pan-frying
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 onigiri
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 350mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 40mg