From chicken teriyaki and yakitori to chicken katsu, here are our best Japanese chicken recipes—loved by both kids and adults. With so many delicious options, you will find something perfect for dinner tonight.
When it comes to weeknight dinners, chicken is always the first ingredient that comes to mind. In my household, we have chicken at least once a week. It’s always dependable and crowd-pleasing. Here, I’ve gathered a list of Japanese chicken recipes that have been thoroughly approved by our readers and my family, including my two self-proclaimed food critic kiddos.
With simple ingredients and fail-proof methods, each of these recipes is a staple for Japanese home cooks. You’ll find sweet and sour chicken meatballs, teriyaki chicken, butter shoyu chicken, crispy bite-size karaage fried chicken, and more. I hope they become your favorites too!
20 Best Japanese Chicken Recipes for Dinner Tonight
1. Miso Chicken
This miso chicken is one of the most popular chicken recipes among our readers! Marinated in a homemade all-purpose miso sauce and pan-fried until crispy, the chicken turns out so moist and full of umami that you’ll want to make it regularly.
2. Chicken Meatballs with Sweet and Sour Sauce
You can always count on meatballs when you need a winning dinner recipe that will please every palate. What makes this chicken recipe stand out is its irresistibly sweet and sour sauce, which pairs perfectly with steamed rice or slippery udon noodles. They also freeze well, so you can enjoy them anytime!
3. Chicken Teriyaki
Chicken teriyaki needs no introduction, as households worldwide are making this famous dish for dinner. But if you’ve been using bottled teriyaki sauce, it’s time to ditch it for an easy homemade version. My recipe shows you how to prepare classic chicken teriyaki using an authentic Japanese cooking method. Not only does it taste better, but you’ll also be surprised by how easy it is to make your own sauce!
4. Garlic Onion Chicken
Succulent pan-fried chicken smothered in a flavorful and robust garlic-onion sauce—this is a weeknight winner! It’s quick, easy, and utterly satisfying.
5. Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)
Karaage is a very popular home-cooked dish in Japan. Since the chicken is cut into bite-size pieces, deep frying becomes much easier. Thanks to the potato starch, the chicken fries to perfection—crispy on the outside and super juicy and tender on the inside. It’s so good that you might want to fry up extra pieces for your bento lunch box.
6. Chicken Katsu
Think of this as the Japanese version of chicken schnitzel. We use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter yet ultra-crispy exterior, and drizzle the chicken cutlet with tonkatsu sauce. Serve it with a simple salad or over a rice bowl!
7. Gluten-Free Baked Chicken Katsu
This gluten-free chicken katsu is coated with panko made from rice flour, which yields a wonderfully crunchy texture. It is also oven-baked, making it a healthier option than traditional deep-fried katsu. Serve it with homemade ponzu and grated daikon; it’s sure to become a favorite chicken recipe you’ll want to make frequently.
8. Garlic Miso Chicken Wings
Marinated in a simple yet savory sauce, these wings are anything but ordinary. As one reader said, ‘I just made your garlic miso wings, and I’d give them 6 stars if I could. Soooo very delicious. This is my favorite way of preparing wings, without a doubt.’
9. Oyakodon (Chicken & Egg Bowl)
Oyakodon is cooked in one pan, where onions, chicken, and egg are simmered in a dashi-based sauce. It is then poured over a bowl of fluffy steamed rice to create a comforting donburi rice bowl. You can make this in just 30 minutes!
10. Chicken Tempura
While chicken is not a common ingredient for tempura, it is actually a regional favorite in Oita Prefecture, located in the Kyushu region of Japan. Thanks to the tempura batter, you can use chicken breast for this recipe. The meat stays juicy and tender inside, while the batter remains crispy and fluffy. It makes for a special treat for a weekend dinner!
11. Teriyaki Chicken Meatballs
These teriyaki chicken meatballs are so juicy and fluffy, and my kids love them! The savory homemade teriyaki sauce adds an extra layer of deliciousness to the meatballs.
12. Shio Koji Chicken
With shio koji, a natural seasoning used in Japanese cooking, you can make easy and delicious shio koji Chicken in no time with just four ingredients!
13. Butter Shoyu Chicken
Glazed with a simple soy-butter sauce, this butter shoyu chicken will easily win your family’s heart! You’ll need just 30 minutes to prepare a chicken dish that’s big on flavor.
14. Soboro Don (Ground Chicken Bowl)
This colorful rice bowl follows the grain-protein-veggie formula, featuring ground chicken, scrambled eggs, and sweet peas atop fluffy rice. It’s almost a no-brainer but highly dependable. If you have the rice cooked in advance, everything else comes together so quickly that you’ll be glad you made dinner at home instead of taking it out.
15. Teba Shio (Salted Chicken Wings)
Wings are a favorite for parties and game days, but I also like to serve them for Friday night family dinners. They are economical, fun, and so easy to make. Can you believe you only need salt, sake, and black pepper to make these salted chicken wings?
16. Mizutaki (Chicken Hot Pot)
Mizutaki is a Japanese chicken hot pot in which chicken, assorted vegetables, mushrooms, and tofu are cooked in a light kombu dashi broth. Dip the freshly cooked ingredients in the savory and citrusy ponzu sauce. It’s one of the best comfort foods to enjoy!
17. Japanese Chicken Curry
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.
18. Yakitori (Grilled Chicken Skewers)
Glazed in a homemade sauce, these Japanese chicken skewers are hard to resist. You’ll love this simple yakitori recipe with its delicious savory-sweet sauce! It’s great for grilling outdoors or using under the broiler.
19. Japanese Cream Stew (White Stew)
Japanese cream stew, also known as white stew, is rich and creamy without being heavy. It’s a classic Yoshoku meal packed with tender chicken and bite-size vegetables, and it’s served with steamed rice or crusty bread.
If you have a pressure cooker, you can try my Instant Pot Cream Stew recipe.
20. Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatball Skewers)
Drizzled with sweet soy sauce, these Japanese chicken meatball skewers, called tsukune, are absolutely delicious. They are best cooked on the grill, but you can bake them in the oven, too.
More Delicious Japanese Recipes
- 10 Easy Japanese Salad Dressings to Know by Heart
- Best Authentic Japanese Udon Noodle Recipes
- Quick and Tasty Fried Rice Recipes
- 16 Cozy & Nutritious Japanese Soups
- 20 Best Side Dishes to Serve with Salmon