From chicken teriyaki and yakitori to chicken katsu, these Japanese chicken recipes are loved by kids and adults alike. With so many delicious options, you’re sure to find the perfect dinner tonight.
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When it comes to weeknight dinners, chicken is often the go-to ingredient. In our household, it’s a staple. Grilled, sautéed, or simmered, we enjoy it in many forms. Here, I’ve curated a collection of Japanese chicken recipes that have been favorites among our readers and my family.
Each recipe uses simple ingredients and straightforward methods, making them easy for home cooks to prepare. I hope they become your new go-to meals as well!
20 Best Japanese Chicken Recipes for Dinner Tonight
Miso Chicken
Our readers can’t get enough of this miso chicken! The secret? A homemade all-purpose miso marinade and a quick pan-fry that keeps the chicken crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside. It’s umami heaven in every bite.
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Chicken Meatballs with Sweet and Sour Sauce
You can always count on meatballs for a dinner that everyone will love. What sets this chicken recipe apart is its irresistibly sweet-and-sour sauce, perfect over steamed rice or slippery udon noodles. Bonus: they freeze beautifully, so you can enjoy them anytime!
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Chicken Teriyaki
Learn how to make tender and juicy Chicken Teriyaki at home in less than 20 minutes using the traditional Japanese cooking method. You‘ll love the succulent and pan-seared boneless chicken thighs glazed in an easy, four-ingredient homemade sauce.
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Garlic Onion Chicken
Succulent pan-fried chicken smothered in a flavorful and robust garlic-onion sauce. This weeknight winner is quick, easy, and utterly satisfying.
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Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)
Karaage is a favorite in Japanese kitchens. Bite-sized chicken pieces fry up easily, and the potato starch creates a crispy, golden exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. So delicious, you’ll probably want to make extra for your bento!
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Chicken Katsu
Think of this as the Japanese take on chicken schnitzel. Panko breadcrumbs create a light, ultra-crispy exterior, and a drizzle of tonkatsu sauce makes it irresistible. Serve with a simple salad or over a rice bowl!
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Gluten-Free Baked Chicken Katsu
Enjoy this gluten-free chicken katsu with its crisp rice-flour panko coating. Baked in the oven for a healthier twist on the classic, it’s perfect with homemade ponzu and grated daikon.
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Garlic Miso Chicken Wings
These wings are anything but ordinary, thanks to a simple yet savory marinade. As one reader put it, “I just made your garlic miso wings, and I’d give them 6 stars if I could. Soooo delicious! Hands down my favorite way to make wings.”
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Honey Soy Chicken
My simple and delicious Honey Soy Chicken is a failproof recipe that works every time. This savory and sweet dish requires minimal prep and just a few pantry ingredients for an easy weeknight dinner.
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Chicken Tempura (Toriten)
Chicken isn’t a typical tempura ingredient, but it’s a regional favorite in Oita Prefecture in Kyushu. The tempura batter keeps chicken breast juicy and tender inside while staying crispy and fluffy outside. Perfect for a special weekend dinner!
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Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs
My recipe for soft and juicy Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs will soon be your family‘s favorite! Tofu is the secret ingredient that makes these meatballs so fluffy. The best part? It takes only 40 minutes to prepare.
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Shio Koji Chicken
Make the most tender and flavorful chicken thighs you've ever tasted with my fast, easy, and delicious Shio Koji Chicken! The secret is shio koji, a natural seasoning and key ingredient in Japanese cooking with many health benefits.
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Butter Shoyu Chicken
Glazed with a delicious soy-butter sauce, this Butter Shoyu Chicken will win your family‘s heart! It is a simple recipe that produces a luxurious result. The chicken is exceptionally moist and tender and so flavorful. It‘s ready in just 25 minutes.
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Soboro Don (Ground Chicken Bowl)
Craving a quick and comforting meal? Try Soboro Don, sweet-savory ground chicken and fluffy scrambled eggs over a bowl of rice. It’s a simple bento lunch classic that’s just as delicious over hot rice for a weeknight dinner. The best part? It’s ready in only 30 minutes.
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Teba Shio (Salted Chicken Wings)
Wings are a favorite for game days, but I love serving them for Friday night family dinners too. They’re budget-friendly, fun, and so simple. Can you believe these salted chicken wings only need salt, sake, and black pepper?
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Mizutaki (Japanese Chicken Hot Pot)
Mizutaki is a Japanese chicken hot pot where chicken, vegetables, mushrooms, and tofu simmer in a light kombu dashi broth. Dip the freshly cooked ingredients in savory, citrusy ponzu sauce. It’s one of the ultimate comfort foods!
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Japanese Chicken Curry
Delicious Japanese chicken curry recipe for a weeknight dinner! Tender pieces of chicken, carrots and potatoes cooked in a rich savory curry sauce, this Japanese version of curry is a must-have for your family meal.
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Yakitori Recipe with Homemade Sauce
My mouthwatering Yakitori recipe features chicken and scallion skewers coated in a caramelized, savory-sweet glaze. These tender and juicy skewers are easy to prep in advance and grill under the broiler for a taste of Japanese pub food at home.
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Japanese Cream Stew (White Stew)
Japanese Cream Stew is flavorful and creamy yet surprisingly light. This classic yoshoku (Western-style) white stew is packed with tender chicken, mushrooms, and vegetables and makes a comforting meal. It‘s easy to make from scratch or with instant cream stew mix.
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Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatball Skewers)
Drizzled with sweet soy sauce, these Japanese chicken meatball skewers, or tsukune, are simply irresistible. Grill them for the best flavor, or bake in the oven for an easy alternative.
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