Chicken Soboro is a popular accompaniment for rice and serves as a staple ingredient in rice bowls or onigiri (rice balls). Its sweet and savory flavor is loved by people of all ages in Japan, from adults to children.
Jump to:
What is Chicken Soboro?
Chicken Soboro is a dish made by cooking ground chicken in sweet and savory seasonings, such as sugar and soy sauce. "Soboro" refers to ground meat, fish, or eggs that have been simmered or stir-fried until finely minced. It pairs well with rice and is perfect as a side dish to have on hand. It is also commonly included as an ingredient in stir-fries and simmered dishes.
You can easily make it by putting the ingredients in a pot and cooking them together. The fluffy texture of ground chicken, combined with sweet and savory seasonings, creates an appetizing dish.
Recommended cut for ground meat
The flavor of this dish varies depending on the cut of chicken used for the ground meat. There are many different cuts of chicken; it is recommended to use thigh meat, as it results in a juicy and fluffy texture.
You can also use breast meat, but it tends to be drier due to its lower fat content. Since there is a significant difference between thigh meat and breast meat, it is better to choose thigh meat if possible.
Substituting chicken with beef or pork
By using beef or pork instead of chicken, you can also make 'beef soboro' or 'pork soboro.' Both options are recommended, as they offer a different flavor compared to chicken. When using these meats, please note that the recommended cuts vary. Chicken is suitable for using thigh meat due to its low-fat content, while beef and pork have high-fat content, so leaner cuts are recommended.
Additionally, it is advisable to blanch beef or pork before cooking. This step helps remove any excess fat and distinctive odor from the meat.
Adjusting the flavor
Soboro is typically seasoned a bit strongly to pair with rice. I have seasoned it this way in the recipe as well, so if you plan to enjoy this dish on its own, feel free to adjust the seasoning to suit your taste. If you want to modify the sweetness, you can change the amount of sugar; if you wish to adjust the saltiness, you can change the amount of soy sauce.
Ingredients
- 7 oz. (200g) ground chicken thighs
- 0.18 oz. (5g) ginger
- 2 Tbsp sake
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 ½ Tbsp soy sauce
Step-by-step instructions
🕒 Total 10 mins
Step 1
Peel and grate the ginger. Mix the ground chicken, grated ginger, and sake in a pot.
Step 2
Heat the pot over medium heat and cook the mixture, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
Step 3
When the ground chicken turns white in color, mix in sugar and soy sauce. Simmer until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
To Store
You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Tips on how to make
- Ground chicken should be cooked over medium heat or lower. Using high heat will cause the meat to become tough.
- Keep stirring the ground chicken until it is cooked through. Continuing to stir will prevent it from becoming lumpy and losing its appearance and texture.
Recipe Card
Chicken Soboro (Flavored Ground Chicken)
Ingredients
- 7 oz. (200g) ground chicken thighs
- 0.18 oz. (5g) ginger
- 2 Tbsp sake
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 ½ Tbsp soy sauce
Instructions
- Peel and grate the ginger. Mix the ground chicken, grated ginger, and sake in a pot.
- Heat the pot over medium heat and cook the mixture, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
- When the ground chicken turns white in color, mix in sugar and soy sauce. Simmer until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Notes
- You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Leave a Reply