Chicken Musubi Recipe (2024)

Chicken Musubi is a combination of chicken breast with teriyaki sauce, rice, and wrapped in nori seaweed. It is a popular and simple snack or appetizer recipe found in Hawaii and other Pacific Islander countries

A few years ago, when I went to Guam to take my board exam, I tried many delicious street foods. There were these delicious food stalls that serves foods that are unique in Guam. And it is there I encountered snacks called Musubi.

When I ordered it, there are two kinds of musubi they serve: One is with the spam, and the other is the chicken. The majority of the locals and tourists recommend spam musubi, but I prefer chicken musubi.

What is Musubi?

Musubi is basically rice, shaped in a block, that is topped with spam or chicken breast. The meat is spooned or brushed with teriyaki sauce before it is wrapped in nori seaweed. Upon eating, it is usually served with soy sauce or Japanese mayonnaise to dip your musubi.

When I saw the texture of the rice and the nori seaweed, I might think that it is probably a Japanese or Korean dish since it is very similar to sushi or onigirazu. But, they told me that it is traditional in Hawaii, Guam, and other Pacific Islanders. Also, it is also popular among Asian American community.

After learning how it is made, I was surprised that it seems simple yet delicious. And this is where I was inspired to make my version of the chicken musubi recipe.

Why is Chicken better than Spam?

I know that spam musubi is much popular than the chicken version. But I find the chicken more delicious for two reasons.

1. It is healthier since it is not processed meat compared to Spam. In another word, it is not junk food.
   
2. It is low in cholesterol since the chicken is just pan-fried with less oil which is not fatty.

Recipe Ingredients

Here are the list of recipe ingredients you need to make Chicken Musubi:

TERIYAKI SAUCE: For the ingredients of making Teriyaki sauce, I use soy sauce, water, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, brown sugar, and corn starch (To thicken the sauce). Some recipes use mirin, but because it contains alcohol, I don't put that in my sauce.

MEAT: I am using a boneless chicken breast, which I tenderize the chicken so it can thin and be cooked properly.

OTHER INGREDIENTS: To wrap the rice, you need a nori seaweed that you can find in any Asian grocery store. Lettuce is a healthy add-on and a short-grain or Japanese rice since short-grain helps the rice hold together during molding and wrapping.

Step by Step Instruction

This recipe may not be traditional but I promise it is delicious and healthier than using spam.

To make the Chicken Musubi, there are 3 things to do in this recipe: Making a Teriyaki Sauce; Pan-frying the Chicken, and Assembling the Musubi.

I. Making a Teriyaki Sauce

In a pan, I add the ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and the rest of the ingredients, which I let boil for 5 to 10 minutes to help the sauce absorb the flavor of the ginger and garlic.

Next, I mix the cornstarch with water, and then I pour it into the sauce. You will notice the sauce will thicken, which is then you can turn off the heat and set it aside.

II. Pan-Frying the Chicken

In here what I did is just add a tablespoon of vegetable oil before putting the pounded chicken breast into the pan.

I just pan-fry on both sides until it turns light brown. And then lastly, I set it aside for preparing to make a musubi

III. Assembling the Musubi

To make a musubi, I place a thin nori sheet in a horizontal position while I place the musubi mold maker on top of the nori sheet in a vertical position.

On the musubi mold, I first add the rice inside the mold until it fills up, which then I pressed it down to make a nice rectangular shape.

After that, I spread the sauce on the rice, followed by lettuce, chicken breast, and then I again add the sauce to the chicken, which I then fold the sheet of the nori seaweed around it.

Tips and Hints

• Before using the nori sheet, make sure the rough side is facing upward while the shining/smooth side is facing downward.
  
• If you want to eat it later or give it to your loved ones, wrap the musubi using the plastic food wrapper shown in the picture above.
  
• Because sushi or Japanese rice is very sticky, wetting your hand with water will help prevent the rice from sticking to it
  
• You can add the teriyaki sauce when pan-frying the chicken breast or during assembling the musubi. To me, I prefer the latter since the teriyaki sauce will still make the chicken moist.
  
• To save time, you can just purchase a ready-made teriyaki sauce from a grocery store instead of making homemade sauce

Frequently Asked Question's (FAQ's)

Other Appetizers or Snack Recipes to Try

Here are other delicious appetizes or snacks to make at home

• Chicken Siopao Asado
• Korean Corn Dog
• Beef Siomai

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