Mochiko Chicken Recipe - Japanese Fried Chicken (2024)

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Mochiko Chicken Recipe - Japanese Fried Chicken (1)

Out of all the chicken dishes that I prepare, my oldest son’s favorite is this Japanese Mochiko chicken recipe. He always squeals with delight when I tell him that I’m making it. You see, I don’t really care for fried chicken and I don’t make it very often. However, I do really like Mochiko fried chicken and I don’t mind making this treat for him every once in awhile.

What is Mochiko?

Mochiko is a sweet rice flour made from mochigome, a variety of glutinous short grain rice. Even though it is made with a glutinous short grain, this is gluten-free and safe for those on a gluten-free diet. Just make sure the other ingredients used in the recipe are also gluten-free.

What is Mochiko Chicken?

Supposedly, the origin of Mochiko Chicken came from Japanese immigrants in Hawaii and became a popular Hawaiian island dish. It’s made with mochiko that is mixed with soy sauce and various other ingredients. Unlike regular fried chicken, it has a unique salty and sweet flavor with a chewier, yet crisp crust. Mochiko chicken is a popular dish in Hawaii and you’ll often find it made using chicken wings, but I prefer boneless skinless chicken thighs because it’s a bit more satisfying than a tiny little wing 🙂

Delicious Mochiko Chicken Recipe. Click to Tweet

Items Needed to Make Mochiko Chicken

  • Large container or large air tight bag
  • Spoon
  • Tongs
  • Oil
  • Mochiko
  • Oyster sauce
  • Sesame oil
  • Cornstarch
  • Soy
  • Eggs
  • Green onions
  • Sesame seeds (optional)
  • Garlic
  • Chicken thighs

Mochiko Chicken Cooking Tips

  • After making this chicken for years, I prefer the quick marinade method. I just defrost frozen boneless chicken, cut, and wipe off any excess water. Then, I marinate the chicken for 45 min. – 1 hour. This ensures a nice thick crust on the chicken because liquid from the chicken doesn’t thin out the crust mixture.
  • If you need to leave this overnight, use a low sodium soy sauce. This will prevent the chicken from becoming too salty. Note that the crust will be thinned by the chicken juices, so add 1-2 T. more of cornstarch.
  • Make sure there is enough oil in the pan to cover the tops of the chicken. If the oil does not cover the top of the chicken, the marinade coating will slide off. You want the marinade coating to cook and set in place as soon as the chicken is placed into the oil.
  • Chicken crust is not meant to be crispy like U.S. fried chicken, but more of a cross between chewy and crispy. If you prefer a more crispy crust, the chicken can be double fried. Meaning, once all the chicken is cooked, place the chicken back into the oil for about 2-minutes. Remove chicken to rack or paper towel to drain oil. I don’t think this step is needed as the chicken isn’t meant to have a super crispy crust, but it can be done.
Mochiko Chicken Recipe - Japanese Fried Chicken (5)

Japanese style fried chicken made with mochiko crust.

Ingredients

  • 3 -4 lbs. defrosted boneless chicken thighs, cut in half or thirds and wiped dry
  • 2/3 cup cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup mochiko
  • 1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce *see notes
  • 2 T. oyster sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. sesame oil
  • 1 tsp. minced garlic
  • 2 T. chopped green onions
  • 2 large eggs
  • oil for frying *see notes
  • Optional - 1/2 tsp. sesame seeds
  • Optional - 1/4 tsp. pepper flakes

Instructions

    1. Mochiko Chicken Recipe - Japanese Fried Chicken (6) In a large sealable container, combine all the ingredients and mix well. It will be on the thicker side, but will thin out as the chicken marinates. Set aside
    2. Mochiko Chicken Recipe - Japanese Fried Chicken (7) Cut chicken thighs into two or three equal pieces so they cook evenly. Dry chicken with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This will prevent excess liquid from thinning out the batter too much.
    3. Mochiko Chicken Recipe - Japanese Fried Chicken (8) Add chicken to the mix and stir to coat well. Cover the container and let the chicken marinate overnight for a thinner crust or 45 minutes - 2 hours for a thicker crust. I prefer the quick method.
    4. Remove chicken from refrigerator and stir until all chicken pieces are coated well. The cornstarch may have settled to the bottom, creating a thick paste, but just mix it back up. Note: The mixture will be thinner if marinating overnight as the chicken juices will mix with the marinade. Just make sure you coat each piece with the mix before frying. If doing a quick 45-minute marinade, since the crust will be thicker, use a low sodium soy sauce to prevent the chicken from becoming too salty.
    5. Place enough oil in your pan to barely cover the chicken when placed in pan. Heat oil on medium-high and fry pieces till golden brown. If the chicken is browning too much, lower the heat to medium. Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes a side. Depending on the thickness of the chicken pieces, total cook time per piece should be 6 -8 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Serve.

Notes

    • Marinating the chicken for 45 minutes will result in a thicker crust, but it can be salty. If doing a quick marinade time, use low sodium soy sauce (I prefer Aloha soy as it is less intense than Kikkoman). If marinating overnight, you can use low or regular soy sauce. The juices from the chicken will help dilute the soy sauce salt, but will result in a slightly thinner crust.
    • Make sure there is enough oil in the pan to just cover the entire chicken. Too little oil will cause the batter to run off the tops of the chicken when placed in the oil.
    • I don't use any pepper flakes (kids won't let me), but you can add 1/4 tsp. to add some heat.
    • The 1/2 T. of sesame seeds are optional too, but I like to add them in for some extra sesame flavor without it being too overpowering.

    Did you make this recipe?

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    FAQs

    Is mochiko chicken gluten free? ›

    A Hawaiian Style Fried Chicken this mix is gluten free and delicious! Easy to prepare with few ingredients to add.

    Is rice flour and mochiko the same? ›

    Mochi is traditionally made with glutinous rice flour, which is also known as sweet rice flour or mochiko. This type of flour has a higher starch content than regular rice flour, which gives mochi its characteristic chewy texture.

    Does rice flour make fried food crispy? ›

    Rice flour and cornstarch work particularly well because they fry up crispier than wheat flour. They also absorb less moisture and fat during the frying process, making the products less greasy. This is why rice flour is often used when making tempura because it produces a very thin and crispy, dry crust.

    Is shiratamako the same as mochiko? ›

    Shiratamako and mochiko are glutinous rice flours, and you'll find them used interchangeably in recipes. However, there is a noticeable difference in flavor and texture.

    What is the difference between mochi flour and mochiko flour? ›

    Mochiko is a white flour made of glutinous/sweet rice to make chewy, sticky mochi desserts. It's also a gluten-free thickener. Mochiko (もち粉), mochiko sweet rice flour, or mochi flour, is a glutinous rice flour (sweet rice flour) made of glutinous short-grain Japanese rice.

    What kind of flour is mochiko? ›

    Mochiko is a Japanese sweet rice flour made from cooked mochigome, a glutinous variety of short-grain rice. To make mochiko, producers wash the grains in water to slough away the outer husk, then dehydrate the kernels and mill them into a fine powder.

    Can I use Bob's Red Mill rice flour for mochi? ›

    Our Sweet White Rice Flour is 100% stone ground from high-starch, short-grain glutinous rice. It has a fine texture and neutral flavor, making it ideal for gluten free baked goods and to thicken sauces. It's also used to create rice noodles and mochi.

    What is the difference between mochi and mochiko? ›

    Mochiko is less refined and has a doughier texture.

    Does mochiko go bad? ›

    Once opened, sweet rice flour is best used within six months to maintain quality, but it can still be used up to one year if stored properly. This flour can also be stored in the freezer indefinitely, but for best quality, use within two years of freezing.

    What's the best flour for fried chicken? ›

    Because rice flour doesn't absorb as much oil as all-purpose during the frying process (if you're frying at the right temperature, of course!), it results in a less greasy final texture.

    What kind of flour is best for crispy fried chicken? ›

    All-purpose flour gives the buttermilk and seasonings something to stick to, while ensuring a wonderfully crispy crust. This crispy fried chicken recipe calls for paprika (which helps with browning), salt, and pepper. You can add more spices and seasonings to taste.

    What is the crispiest flour for frying? ›

    My first choice here for a really crispy batter will be a combination of rice flour and cornstarch. Not so keen about using rice flour alone for deep-frying. The combination of Cornstarch and rice flour gives you that thin, light, and really crispy coating on the food.

    Is Joshinko the same as Mochiko? ›

    Joshinko is made from milled short grain rice has been washed, dried, and ground down into flour while mochiko and shiratamako are both made from glutinous rice (mochigome).” If I were you, I would check at a Japanese grocery store or Asian Grocery store that sells primarily Japanese food products.

    What is a good substitute for mochiko? ›

    Tapioca flour is ideal if you're looking for a sweet rice flour substitute for baked goods. It can help create foods that require a chewy consistency, like cookies and brownies. Tapioca flour works in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute. You can also use it to make mochi at home.

    Can I replace mochiko with glutinous rice flour? ›

    Sweet white rice flour, also known as glutinous rice flour, sticky rice flour, or mochiko flour, is a type of flour made from ground glutinous rice. Despite its name, glutinous rice does not contain gluten and is safe for people with Celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and those on a gluten-free diet.

    Is mochiko celiac safe? ›

    Mochiko Glutinous Rice Flour, also known as sweet rice flour, is a type of flour made from glutinous rice. Despite its name, glutinous rice flour does not contain gluten, making it safe for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

    Is glutinous starch gluten-free? ›

    Glutinous rice, also known as sticky rice or sweet rice, is gluten-free despite its name. In fact, all varieties of rice are gluten-free. The term “glutinous,” in this case, means “sticky.” The proportion of starches in rice varies by rice type.

    Is mochi usually gluten-free? ›

    Mochi traditionally does not contain any gluten-containing ingredients like wheat, barley, or rye. However, some commercially produced mochi variations may include additional ingredients or flavorings that could potentially contain gluten.

    Does mochiko flour have wheat? ›

    Mochiko isn't sweet, nor does it contain a speck of gluten. It's entirely unlike traditional rice flour because it's made from sticky rice — the sort you have with slices of mango after a Thai meal.

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