Teriyaki Chicken & Cream Cheese Onigiri

Cream cheese actually pairs surprisingly well with traditional Japanese seasonings like soy sauce and miso. Its rich, creamy flavor balances the salty umami, creating a delicious combination.

This onigiri brings together two unexpected partners: classic Japanese teriyaki chicken and cream cheese. The sweet and savory teriyaki filling melts into the creamy cheese, making every bite rich, comforting, and incredibly satisfying.

If you've never tried cream cheese in onigiri before, this is the perfect place to start. Trust me—you won't want to skip it!

What isTeriyaki ?

Teriyaki is a Japanese cooking style where meat or fish is cooked in a sweet soy-based sauce. The sauce is made with soy sauce, sugar, and mirin, giving it a glossy finish and a savory-sweet flavor.

Ingredients (2–3 onigiri)

For Teriyaki chicken 

• 1 pc(250g) Chicken breast

• 2 Tbsp soy sauce

• 2 Tbsp mirin

• 1 Tbsp sake

• 1 Tbsp sugar

• 1 tsp grated ginger

  
  

For  Teriyaki Chicken & Cream Cheese Onigiri

• 200g cooked Japanese rice

• some teriyaki chicken

• 1/2 Kiri cream cheese cube (about 8 g)

• 1 Tbsp toasted black sesame seeds

• 2 pinches of salt

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

🍗Teriyaki chicken

1. Add the chicken breast to a pan.

2. Add soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, and ginger.

3. Turn on the heat and cook while coating the chicken with the sauce.

4. Simmer until the sauce thickens and almost evaporates.

5. Turn off the heat.

   
   

🍙 Teriyaki Chicken & Cream Cheese Onigiri

1. Mix warm rice with 2 pinches of salt and black sesame seeds.

2. Place some teriyaki chicken in the center and add 1/2 Kiri cream cheese cube (about 8 g).

3. Wrap the rice around the filling.

4. Gently shape into an onigiri.

✨ Tips for success

• Mix the seasonings before turning on the heat.

• Lightly shred the chicken as the liquid reduces so it absorbs more flavor.

• If it gets too dry while cooking, add about 2 Tbsp of water and continue simmering.

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💡 Why you'll love this recipe

• The sweet and savory teriyaki chicken is incredibly appetizing.

• Simple ingredients you can find almost anywhere.

• A delicious way to use cream cheese beyond bagels.

• Great for meal prep or lunch boxes.

• A unique way to enjoy Japanese home cooking.