Hello, flavor lovers! I am so excited to share these 16 Japanese chicken recipes that are totally going to shake up your dinner routine.
We are talking big umami flavors, crispy textures, and just general mealtime happiness. Get your soy sauce ready because things are about to get delicious.
1. Chicken Stir-Fry with Celery, Carrot, and Cashew
I am a huge fan of adding chopped nuts to stir fries for that essential crunch factor. Cashews are the ideal pick here since they aren’t too hard, but salty peanuts are also an option.
This meal is super friendly to your wallet thanks to simple ingredients like celery, carrots, and chicken. You definitely don’t need noodles, but tossing some in makes it extra filling.
2. Chicken Katsu
Fried chicken is actually massive in Japan, with people even booking reservations to get a Christmas bucket. This fancy version relies on panko breadcrumbs to give you the maximum amount of crunch.
It tastes wonderful with a side of Japanese mayo. I love serving it alongside Chinese scallion pancakes.
3. Oyakodon (Chicken and Egg Bowl)
You can make this wildly popular Japanese egg and rice bowl in a total snap. Everything besides the rice gets cooked right in one single pan.
The unique part is that you actually cook everything, including the eggs, directly in the sauce.
4. Yakitori Recipe
Yakitori is a cooking style where you skewer meat and roast it over an open flame. You have to glaze it with a lovely light sauce while it cooks so the flavor infuses and caramelizes on the meat.
The only ingredients you need are brown sugar, water, sake, soy sauce, and mirin. Remember to soak your skewers so they don’t burn up on the heat.
5. Restaurant-Style Japanese Sesame Chicken
This is the one for you if you want a Japanese chicken meal that isn’t fried. Fried food is tasty, but sometimes it isn’t the best option.
You should try this super easy grilled sesame chicken instead. It is great served over noodles or steamed rice with lots of bright veggies.
6. Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)
While Katsu uses a cutlet, this recipe is much more like what you expect from fried chicken. You just need potato starch and boneless chicken thighs.
That combination guarantees you get the absolute crispiest coating around.
7. Cream Stew
Think of this stew as a hybrid between comforting chicken and dumplings and chicken soup. It is bulked out with potatoes and veggies for a very rich and creamy result.
The base starts with a simple roux. You can also save time by finding pre made cream sauce mix if you live near a Japanese grocery store.
8. Teriyaki Chicken
Nothing beats crispy chicken covered in a sticky sweet glaze next to a plate of vibrant veggies. It takes a few extra steps to make your own teriyaki sauce.
I promise it is so worth the effort though.
9. Miso Chicken
This chicken relies on the umami goodness of fermented miso paste for a savory finish. A little bit goes a long way because it has such a fantastic depth of flavor.
Make sure you remember to wipe any excess marinade off the meat before you cook it.
10. Soboro Don (Ground Chicken Bowl)
Soboro translates to crumbled meat in Japanese, while don is short for the rice bowl known as donburi. You get an easy, filling meal for any time of day when you combine the two with veggies and scrambled eggs.
I love drizzling Sriracha and lots of Japanese mayo over the top.
11. Chicken Tempura
Tempura is cooked in hot oil like fried chicken, but it uses batter rather than breadcrumbs and egg. Using cold water is the trick to getting that perfect light and crisp texture.
You also need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan so it has room to bubble.
12. Chicken Nanban
This recipe is a fried chicken twist on Karaage. This version is deliciously crunchy but uses a sweet and sour marinade before you cook it.
You top it with crunchy Japanese style tartar sauce once it turns golden. It is full of onions, pickles, and mayo for a result that is much more addictive than usual.
13. Tsukune (Japanese-Style Chicken Meatballs)
Ground chicken is the traditional base for Tsukune, which you can serve yakitori style on skewers or whole. A glaze is vital for keeping them tender and ensuring they are as tasty as possible.
The sauce is very similar to the yakitori one, so making enough gives you two different meals.
14. Simple Homemade Chicken Ramen
Ramen is basically a type of noodle soup. You most often serve it with noodles, veggies, and meat.
Make sure you get high quality ingredients since the broth is such a massive part of the dish.
15. Nagoya-Style Tebasaki (Japanese Chicken Wings)
You can put down the ranch and step away from the buffalo sauce. This Japanese chicken wing recipe is incredible and simply too good not to try.
They are more crispy than you will believe and brimming with a beautiful garlic and ginger glaze.
16. Chicken Karaage with Sweet Chili Sauce
This fried chicken version adds a sweet chili glaze to the same terrific taste and texture as standard Karaage. It works just as well with whole boneless thigh pieces or a cutlet.
I just can’t get enough of the smaller portions because they allow for more of that crispy coating.