Chicken Tsukune (Meatballs)

I don't know what my deal is but I'm all over chicken lately.  Recently, I've been having chicken all sorts of ways; fried, poached, grilled, on skewers, in salads; it's defintely my go-to protein.  I decided to change up texture and bought some ground chicken then bought more and more and came up with 3 recipes - Japanese, Morrocan, and Italian style.  For the Japanese version, I made Tsukune which are served in Izakayas all over there.  Love love love the meatballs, total inspiration for a dish.


Here's what's been cooking with ground chicken.  As always recipe to follow:

Green Tea Noodles (bought at Nishiki Market, Kyoto) with Chicken Tsukune and Vegetables

Morrocan Chicken Patties with Lemon Cous Cous and Summer Stuff

Vegetable and Chicken Bolognese

Back to Chicken Tsukune (recipe below)

Adapted from and revised from: Eating Well




Chicken Tsukune

• 1 1/2 pounds ground chicken or 93%-lean ground turkey
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg 
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped scallion whites
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• Salt
• Black Pepper

Sweet Soy Glaze

• 1/4 cup mirin or cream sherry
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water

1.  Mix chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, scallions, ginger, garlic, salt and pepper all together until well incorporated.

2.  Shape into meatballs about 2 Tablespoons and skewer about 4 per stick or 1 big meatball (seen above).  

3.  For sweet soy glaze, add mirin (or sherry), soy sauce, lemon juice, brown sugar, and to pot and bring to a boil, then simmer for 4-5 minutes.

4.  Separately, mix cornstarch and water together until no lumps.  Poor into pot, simmer for 2 minutes.  
5.  Brush Soy glaze over Chicken skewers and set on grill or under broiler.  If on grill, 4 minutes on 1 side, then flip and brush soy glaze, grill another 4 minutes.  If under broiler, 5 minutes on 1 side, flip and brush soy glaze, and broil another 5 minutes on other side.  
6.  Enjoy!