Chicken Donburi

Introducing my Chicken Donburi recipe, also known as Oyakodon, a delightful Japanese classic that brings the comforting flavors of Japan right to your kitchen! This dish features tender chicken simmered in a savory sweet dashi-based broth with eggs, all served over a bed of rice. It’s a quick and easy way to experience the taste of Japan at home!

Chicken donburi oyakodon served in a white bowl topped with Japanese chili powder and chopped green onions being picked up with a spoon.

Why I Love This Recipe

I have a special affection for this Chicken Donburi because it captures the essence of Japanese cuisine with its simplicity and depth of flavor! Featuring juicy chicken simmered in my signature Donburi Sauce and served over a steaming bowl of rice, it forms a hearty yet wholesome meal!

The blend of sweet and savory notes, coupled with the comforting warmth of the rice, renders it an ideal choice for those seeking a taste of Japan in just 15 minutes! As part of the classic Japanese donburi family, alongside Beef Gyudon, Spicy Chicken Donburi and Soboro Donburi Ground Chicken Bowl, it showcases the classic flavors of Japanese rice bowls. Give it a try and enjoy the deliciousness of this recipe!

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • Chicken – boneless and skinless chicken thigh. Can substitute with chicken breast if preferred.
  • Onion – yellow or brown onion.
  • Eggs – beaten.
  • Dashi -fish broth made from steeping kombu and bonito flakes with boiling water. Can also use Hondashi mixed in water for instant dashi.
  • Japanese Sake – typically will come in a large bottle labeled junmai sake. Can also substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine, found at local grocery stores or Asian markets.
  • Soy Sauce – low-sodium Soy Sauce preferred.
  • Sweetener –  use your preferred sweetener.
  • Rice – rice of choice.
  • Togarashi (red pepper)Togarashi Japanese chili pepper blend found in most Asian or Japanese supermarkets. A good alternative would be cayenne pepper or red pepper.
  • Green Onion – finely chopped green onion scallions.

🥢 Dashi Pro Tip

For easier preparation of the dashi, use Hondashi mixed with water. This quick tip simplifies the process and ensures a flavorful base for your dish.

🍶 Mirin Note

I acknowledge that Mirin might not be readily available in all locations. To maintain the authentic flavors of this oyakodon donburi, my recipe modifies the ratio of Japanese sake and sweetener to substitute for mirin, ensuring you can savor this delicious dish regardless of your location.

Various ingredients used in making Chicken donburi oyakodon recipes laid out on a kitchen countertop.

Directions

☑ Before Getting Started

Use a Large Frying Pan for even cooking and better flavor absorption.

Step 1 Start by sautéing onions in a large pan.

Sliced onion being cooked.

Step 2 Add chicken pieces and sauce which include Dashi mixed with Japanese sake, soy sauce, sweetener, then cover and cook for 4-6 minutes.

Chicken donburi in a frying pan.

Step 3 Slowly pour beaten egg into the pan and gently mix until the egg is cooked to your preferred consistency.

Chicken donburi in a frying pan with eggs being streamed in.

🥚 Egg Pro Tip

The Egg Doneness is Personal Preference and can vary. Some enjoy them very runny, while others prefer them fully cooked, resembling scrambled eggs. Typically, the traditional preparation falls somewhere in between, but the choice is entirely yours.

Step 4 Finally, serve this chicken mixture on top of a bed of rice.

Chicken donburi served over a bed of rice.

🍴 Serving Pro Tip

It’s recommended to Mix Together before eating. You can also Enhance the Flavor by adding optional Togarashi and Green Onions as toppings.

Recipe Variations

For a twist, you can switch out the chicken for Tonkatsu to whip up a Katsu Don, or opt for Chicken Katsu to craft a Chicken Katsu Don. If beef is more your style, give the flavorful Steak Donburi Bowl a go, featuring thinly sliced steak. Or you could even use sliced pork to create my Pork Donburi Bowl! These alternatives bring their own distinct tastes, yet maintain the authentic essence of traditional Japanese rice bowl delights.

Paring Recommendations

To complement your donburi, consider serving it with dishes like Egg Drop Miso Soup for extra protein, Japanese Sunomono or Japanese Shishito Pepper Stir Fry as simple vegetable sides, Okra Salad for a refreshing option, and don’t forget a cup of Mugicha to cleanse your palate.

Chicken donburi oyakodon served in a white bowl topped with Japanese chili powder and chopped green onions being picked up with a spoon.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between donburi and oyakodon?

Donburi, which translates to 'bowl' in Japanese, generally consists of a rice bowl topped with a protein, egg, and various vegetables. On the other hand, Oyakodon is a specific type of donburi that focuses on simmered chicken and soft scrambled egg in a sweet, soy-flavored sauce. While oyakodon falls under the umbrella of donburi, not all donburi dishes are oyakodon.

How long does it take to prepare Chicken Oyakodon?

It takes approximately 5 minutes to prepare the ingredients and about 10 minutes to cook everything.

Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?

While oyakodon is traditionally made with chicken thigh for its rich flavor, you can opt for chicken breast if you prefer a leaner option.

Storage Tips

To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They will remain fresh for 3-5 days when stored this way.

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Watch How To Make It

Chicken donburi oyakodon served in a white bowl topped with Japanese chili powder and chopped green onions.

Chicken Donburi

Try my delicious Chicken Oyakodon, a classic donburi dish packed with flavor. Perfect for an authentic Japanese meal.
5 from 10 votes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: Chicken Donburi, chicken oyakodon, oyakodon recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2
Print Recipe
Calories: 579kcal

Ingredients

  • 3/4 lbs Chicken Thighs can sub with chicken breast
  • 1/4 Cup Onion about 1/4 of an onion
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1/3 Cup Dashi
  • 2 tbsp Japanese Sake
  • 1 1/4 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 1/4 tbsp Sweetener your preferred sweetener
  • 2 Cups Rice
  • 1/8 tsp Togarashi optional
  • 1/2 Stalk Green Onions optional

Instructions

  • Gather all the ingredients.
    Ingredients for chicken donburi.
  • Prepare Dashi.
    Dashi in a pot.
  • In a small mixing bowl, add Dashi, Soy Sauce, sweetener and Japanese sake. Mix well and set aside.
    Donburi sauce.
  • Thinly slice onions and set aside.
    Sliced onions.
  • Cut chicken into small bite-size pieces, about 1/2 x 1/2 inch and set aside.
    Cubed chicken.
  • In a small mixing bowl, beat eggs and set aside.
    Beaten egg in a bowl.
  • In a medium fry pan, add onions on medium heat. Cook for 30 seconds.
    Sliced onion being cooked.
  • After 30 seconds, lower heat to medium low and add chicken and pour sauce. Cover and cook for 4-6 minutes or until chicken is cooked.
    Chicken donburi in a frying pan.
  • Slowly pour beaten eggs into the fry pan. Cook until desired egg consistency is reached and pour chicken/egg mixture over bowl of rice. Traditional, the eggs are a bit runny, but this would be personal preference. Sprinkle optional Togarashi and chopped green onions on top and serve.
    Chicken donburi served over a bed of rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 579kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 44g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 360mg | Sodium: 833mg | Potassium: 434mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 757IU | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg

*Values Based Per Serving

2 Comments

  1. Really really good recipe! I can eat this whole recipe by myself in one sitting. So for 2 people I double it and use 2 pans.
    After I load the topping on, since the topping is still really hot, I start eating the yummy vegetables underneath and by the time I finish those, the topping is perfect temperature to eat.
    Thank you!

5 from 10 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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