Chicken Sushi Bake (View Print Version)

Creamy chicken and seasoned rice casserole topped with cheese and flavorful garnishes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Rice

01 - 2 cups sushi rice
02 - 2 1/2 cups water
03 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
04 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
05 - 1 teaspoon salt

→ Chicken Mixture

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

→ Topping & Assembly

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

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and 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 - Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Gently fold into the cooked rice.
04 - In a bowl, mix cooked chicken, mayonnaise, cream cheese, sriracha, soy sauce, and sliced green onions until creamy and well incorporated.
05 - Spread seasoned rice evenly in the prepared dish. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of furikake over the rice, then layer the chicken mixture on top. Add shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining furikake.
06 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until cheese is melted and lightly golden.
07 - Remove from oven, let cool for 5 minutes. Top with sliced avocado, nori strips, toasted sesame seeds, and drizzle with additional sriracha and mayonnaise if desired.
08 - Serve warm, portioned onto small plates or nori sheets.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like sushi night without the frustration of rolling or the price tag of restaurant takeout.
  • Everything comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.
  • It's endlessly forgiving—use whatever protein you have, adjust the heat level, layer in your favorite extras.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the rice or the whole casserole will come out gummy and dense instead of fluffy.
  • Add the avocado and nori fresh after baking—if they bake, the avocado browns and the nori loses its crispy texture.
  • The cream cheese might seem like a small addition, but it's the secret that prevents the filling from tasting flat or one-note.
03 -
  • Use a high-quality nori—the difference between good and mediocre is noticeable and worth the few extra cents.
  • If you're making this ahead, assemble everything but the avocado and fresh nori, then store it covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking—it actually gives the flavors more time to meld.
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