Chicken Takikomi Gohan (Japanese Mixed Rice with Chicken)

Ingredients

Instructions

1. 1

   Wash the Japanese short-grain rice until the water runs clear. Drain it well and let it sit in a sieve for at least 30 minutes.

2. 2

   Cut the boneless, skinless chicken thighs into 1cm cubes. Peel and dice the carrot into small pieces. Slice the shiitake mushrooms.

3. 3

   In a rice cooker pot, add the drained Japanese short-grain rice.

4. 4

   Add the dashi stock, soy sauce, mirin, sake, and salt to the pot. Stir lightly to combine the seasonings with the rice.

5. 5

   Evenly spread the boneless, skinless chicken thighs, carrot, and shiitake mushrooms over the rice mixture. Do not stir after adding these.

6. 6

   Cook in a rice cooker using the 'mixed rice' or 'white rice' setting. (Typical cooking time for rice cookers is around 40 minutes, followed by resting time.)

7. 7

   Once cooked, let the rice rest in the rice cooker with the lid on for an additional 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

8. 8

   Gently fluff the rice with a spatula, mixing all the ingredients evenly. Serve hot, garnished with grated fresh ginger and chopped green onions if desired.