Chicken Sushi Bake (Print View)

Savory chicken and seasoned rice layered with cheese and toppings, baked creamy and golden.

# Components:

→ Rice

01 - 2 cups sushi rice
02 - 2 1/2 cups water
03 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
05 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Chicken Mixture

06 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
07 - 1/2 cup mayonnaise (preferably Japanese Kewpie)
08 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
09 - 1 tablespoon sriracha, adjust to taste
10 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
11 - 2 green onions, thinly sliced

→ Topping & Assembly

12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 2 tablespoons furikake seasoning
14 - 1 avocado, sliced
15 - 1 sheet nori, cut into strips or snack-size sheets
16 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
17 - Extra sriracha and mayonnaise for drizzling

# Method:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.
02 - Rinse sushi rice under cold water until clear. Combine with 2 1/2 cups water in a pot, bring to boil, then cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
03 - Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved in a small bowl. Fold gently into the cooked rice.
04 - In a medium bowl, mix cooked chicken, mayonnaise, cream cheese, sriracha, soy sauce, and green onions until creamy and well combined.
05 - Spread the seasoned rice evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of furikake evenly over the rice.
06 - Layer the chicken mixture evenly over the rice. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining furikake seasoning.
07 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
08 - Remove from oven, let cool for 5 minutes. Top with sliced avocado, nori strips, toasted sesame seeds, and drizzle with extra sriracha and mayonnaise, if desired.
09 - Serve warm, portioning onto small plates or nori sheets.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like your favorite sushi roll but you don't need to be patient or skilled with your hands.
  • One dish, melted cheese, and the whole thing comes together in under an hour with minimal stress.
  • It's the kind of meal that makes people ask for seconds without feeling heavy or complicated.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice—cloudy water means starch, which makes everything gluey instead of light and separate.
  • The chicken mixture needs to be completely combined and creamy before spreading, so take an extra minute to fold everything together properly.
  • Add the avocado and nori after baking, not before—they'll get soft and unappetizing if they sit in the oven.
03 -
  • Buy furikake in a Japanese market or online—the supermarket version often lacks the seaweed complexity that makes this special.
  • Don't overbake the cheese; it should be melted and tender, not brown or crispy at the edges.
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