Hawaiian Mochiko Chicken is a delicious dish made with marinated chicken thighs coated in sweet rice flour and fried to perfection.
Author:Nicole Grace
Prep Time:1 hour
Cook Time:15 minutes
Total Time:1 hour 15 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Dish
Method:Frying
Cuisine:Hawaiian
Diet:Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup mochiko (sweet rice flour)
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, sugar, water, sesame oil, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix well until the sugar is dissolved.
Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best flavor.
After marinating, remove the chicken from the refrigerator. In a separate bowl, place the mochiko.
Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat.
Take each piece of marinated chicken, dredge it in the mochiko, and shake off any excess.
Once the oil is hot (about 350°F), carefully add the coated chicken pieces in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, turning occasionally for even cooking.
Remove the chicken with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Serve hot, garnished with green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of grated ginger to the marinade.
You can also substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts for a leaner option.
For a healthier version, bake the coated chicken at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.