Chicken Sushi Bake (Printable)

Creamy chicken layered over seasoned rice, baked with cheese and savory toppings for a comforting meal.

# What You Need:

→ Rice

01 - 2 cups sushi rice
02 - 2 1/2 cups water
03 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
04 - 1 tbsp granulated sugar
05 - 1 tsp salt

→ Chicken Mixture

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

→ Topping & Assembly

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

# Steps:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like sushi but requires no rolling skills, no special equipment, and none of the intimidation that comes with sushi night.
  • The creamy, spiced chicken layer with that melted cheese is addictive in a way that surprises people who expect something lighter.
  • You can make it ahead, refrigerate it unbaked, and pop it in the oven whenever you need a main dish that feels fancy but took almost no effort.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the sushi rice—this is the difference between fluffy, separate grains and a starchy, sticky mess.
  • Add the avocado after baking, not before, or you'll end up with brown, mushy pieces instead of creamy slices.
  • Kewpie mayonnaise makes a noticeable difference here because its richer composition creates a better sauce—regular mayo can leave the chicken layer feeling a bit thin and oily.
03 -
  • Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes right before serving—the difference between stale and vibrant is transformative.
  • Don't stir the rice aggressively after seasoning it; fold it gently so you preserve those individual, fluffy grains instead of creating rice paste.
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