Teriyaki Chicken Onigiri (Japanese Rice Balls)
Hand shaped sushi rice balls hiding a sticky teriyaki chicken centre, wrapped in nori for lunchboxes and picnics.
Made with Teriyaki sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £1.54 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Rinse the rice until the water runs clear. Cook it with the water in a covered pan on the lowest heat for 12 minutes, then rest off the heat for 10 minutes. Spread on a plate to cool until warm, not hot.
22 min - 2
Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium high heat. Fry the diced chicken for 5 minutes until golden and cooked through with no pink.
5 min - 3
Add your ready made teriyaki sauce (see the base recipe) and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the chicken is sticky and the pan is nearly dry. Cool completely.
- 4
Mix the salt into a small bowl of cold water and wet your hands. Take a handful of rice, press a hollow in the middle and add 1 heaped tsp chicken.
- 5
Cover with more rice and shape into a firm triangle or ball, pressing gently with both hands. Roll in sesame seeds if you like.
- 6
Wrap the base of each onigiri with a strip of nori just before eating so the seaweed stays crisp. Makes 8.
Tips
- Wet hands with salted water so the rice does not stick. Re-wet after every 2 or 3 balls.
- Shape the rice while it is still warm. Cold rice will not hold together well.
- Keep the filling dry and well reduced, otherwise it makes the rice soggy.
Storing and freezing
Keeps 1 day in the fridge in a covered box, cooled within 1 hour. Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Do not reheat rice more than once.
Questions
Can I pack onigiri for school or work?
Yes, but keep them cool with an ice pack and eat within 4 hours. Wrap the nori separately so it stays crisp.
Can I freeze onigiri?
Yes. Wrap each one in cling film and freeze for up to 1 month. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat in a microwave until steaming hot all the way through.
More made with teriyaki sauce
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.