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Chicken Onigiri

Chicken Onigiri: Easy Japanese Snack for Busy Days

Experience the delightful taste of Chicken Onigiri, a versatile and quick Japanese snack perfect for busy days.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 onigiri
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: Japanese
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Sushi Rice
  • 1 cup short-grain rice rinsed
  • 1.25 cups water for cooking rice
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt to enhance flavor
  • 1 tablespoon furikake optional seasoning
For the Chicken Filling
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken drumsticks cut into small pieces
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce for marinating
  • 1 tablespoon sake or water
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda to tenderize meat
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch for coating
  • 1 tablespoon mirin adds sweetness
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar packed
  • 2 tablespoons oil for frying
  • 1 clove minced garlic for flavor
For Serving
  • 1 sheet nori (seaweed) cut into rectangles

Equipment

  • rice cooker
  • Nonstick Pan
  • mixing bowl
  • Cooking utensil

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Chicken Onigiri
  1. Cook the sushi rice according to your rice cooker instructions. If using stovetop, rinse 1 cup of rice until water runs clear, combine with 1.25 cups of water, bring to boil, reduce heat, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, fluff and mix with salt and furikake.
  2. Cut 1 pound of chicken into small pieces, mix together soy sauce, sake, baking soda, and cornstarch in a bowl, add chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  3. Combine soy sauce, mirin, brown sugar, and minced garlic in a bowl to create a teriyaki sauce, mix until sugar is dissolved.
  4. Heat oil in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat, add marinated chicken in a single layer, cooking until golden brown for 2-3 minutes, flipping halfway.
  5. Lower heat, add minced garlic to the pan, sauté until fragrant, pour in teriyaki sauce, simmer for 2-3 minutes, return chicken and toss to coat.
  6. Wet hands, take about 1/3 cup of rice, shape into a ball, create a well, spoon in 1 tablespoon of chicken filling, cover with more rice and mold into a triangle.
  7. Wrap each onigiri with nori, keeping one side open, and serve immediately or pack for lunch.

Nutrition

Serving: 1onigiriCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 20gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gCalcium: 1mgIron: 6mg

Notes

Chicken Onigiri can be enjoyed warm or cold and is best served fresh. Consider experimenting with different fillings for variation.

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