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Chicken Onigiri

Savory Chicken Onigiri: Your New Favorite Snack Adventure

Discover the delightful Chicken Onigiri, a portable Japanese snack made with tender chicken and sushi rice, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinating Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 onigiri
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Rice
  • 4 cups cooked sushi rice short-grain for stickiness
  • ½ teaspoon fine salt enhances flavor
  • 2 tablespoons furikake optional
For the Chicken Filling
  • ½ pound boneless skinless chicken drumsticks preferred
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce for marinade
  • 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce for teriyaki sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sake or water
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda tenderizes meat
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch adds crispiness
  • 1 tablespoon mirin adds sweetness
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar firmly packed
  • 1 tablespoon oil for cooking chicken
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic enhances flavor
For Assembly
  • 1 sheet nori cut into small rectangles

Equipment

  • Rice cooker
  • Skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Rinse sushi rice under cold water until water runs clear. Cook according to rice cooker instructions (about 20 minutes). Transfer to a bowl, add salt and furikake, and cool to room temperature.
  2. Cut chicken into small pieces. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sake, baking soda, and cornstarch. Add chicken, coat well, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, mirin, and brown sugar until dissolved to create teriyaki sauce. Set aside.
  4. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Stir frequently. Add minced garlic in the last 30 seconds, then pour in teriyaki sauce and stir until thickened (about 1-2 minutes).
  5. Wet hands and mold rice into a small triangle, creating a well in the center. Fill with cooked chicken, fold rice over, and compress gently to seal.
  6. Wrap nori around one edge of each onigiri and repeat with remaining ingredients.

Nutrition

Serving: 1onigiriCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 10gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 560mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gCalcium: 2mgIron: 8mg

Notes

Rice quality matters: use short-grain sushi rice for stickiness. Marinate well and wet hands for shaping. Store wrapped tightly in plastic in the fridge for up to three days.

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