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This easy oyakodon is a delicious Japanese chicken and egg rice bowl (donburi) made with chicken, eggs, and onions simmered in a delicious dashi-based broth made of tsuyu. The chicken and eggs are poured over a bowl of steamed white rice with extra broth soaking through, adding loads of umami flavor!
Oyakodon is a fast and easy Japanese rice bowl topped with simmered chicken and egg in a flavorful seasoned dashi sauce. It’s a popular Japanese comfort food that’s protein-packed and full of umami flavor.
This is the best oyakodon recipe because it’s ready in only 12 minutes, and there’s no need to make your own dashi due to the convenient tsuyu base we’ll use. In addition, this easy recipe only requires simple, accessible ingredients like chicken, eggs, onions, and steamed rice.
What is Oyakodon?
Oyakodon (親子丼) is a Japanese chicken and egg rice bowl (donburi) flavored with a delicious soupy sauce made of seasoned dashi, also called tsuyu. Its name derives from ‘oya’ meaning mother/parent and ‘ko’ meaning child. In this recipe, ‘oya’ refers to the chicken while ‘ko’ refers to the egg, hence the name oyakodon, which is shorthand for oyako donburi (Japanese chicken and egg rice bowl).
Ingredients
- Chicken – I used skinless, boneless chicken thighs but you can use chicken breast or skin-on chicken thighs. Cut them to bite-sized pieces for faster cooking.
- Eggs – Use 1 to 2 large eggs per person. Lightly beat them so that some whites and yolks remain separated.
- Steamed rice – Any steamed rice will do such as short-grain, medium-grain, or long-grain rice. This is a great use for leftover rice if you have any.
- Onion – Onion adds umami and subtle sweetness to this chicken and egg bowl. Thinly slice them for faster cooking.
- Oyakodon sauce – This sauce is a perfect balance between salty, umami, and sweet flavors. It’s made with just two ingredients – tsuyu base and water. This saves you loads of time and there’s no need to make your own dashi!
How to Make Easy Oyakodon
Steps 1 and 2: Add the thinly sliced onions, bite-sized chicken thighs or breast, and oyakodon sauce in a pan. Heat the pan over medium heat and bring it to a simmer.
Steps 3 and 4: Once the chicken is fully cooked and the onions have softened, slowly drizzle in the lightly beaten eggs. You should still see some separation between the egg whites and yolks.
Steps 5 and 6: Add chopped green onions or mitsuba on top and cover the pan to let the eggs cook until your desired level of doneness. Slide the chicken and eggs over a bowl of rice, along with any remaining sauce. Serve immediately.
Tips
- For faster cooking time, thinlyslice the onions and cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- If you prefer a soupier version of oyakodon, simply increase the amount of oyakodon sauce. See the recipe notes for details.
- For better presentation, cook each serving separately in a small pan so the chicken and eggs can easily slide out of the pan to top each rice bowl. Recommended but not necessary.
I hope you enjoy this easy oyakodon recipe! It’s an excellent meal to have when you’re looking for something quick and simple to make. Enjoy and happy cooking!
More Japanese recipes:
Japanese Recipes
7-Minute Zaru Soba (Cold Soba Noodles)
Main Dishes
Easy Chicken Teriyaki with Marinade
12-Minute Oyakodon (Japanese Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)
Ingredients
- 2 chicken thighs, cut to thin, bite-sized pieces
- 4 large eggs
- 1 small onion, thinly sliced
Oyakodon Sauce
- 2 ⅓ tablespoons tsuyu base, (concentrated seasoned dashi)
- ¾ cup water, See Note 1
To Serve
- 2 servings steamed rice
- 1 stalk green onion, or mitsuba (Japanese parsley); chopped
- sesame seeds, togarashi, (optional)
Instructions
Oyakodon Sauce
- Make the sauce: Mix the tsuyu base with water and set it aside.2 ⅓ tablespoons tsuyu base, ¾ cup water
Cook Onions and Chicken
- Simmer onions and chicken: Heat a pan over medium heat and add the thinly sliced onions and chicken thighs. Pour in the oyakodon sauce and let it simmer together until the chicken is fully cooked and the onions have softened, about 5 minutes.1 small onion, 2 chicken thighs
Add Beaten Eggs
- Add the eggs: Lightly beat the eggs in a container with a spout for easy pouring. Drizzle the eggs onto the chicken and onions and then top with chopped green onions. Cover the pan and let the eggs cook to your preferred level of doneness, 1 to 3 minutes.4 large eggs, 1 stalk green onion
To Serve
- Add to rice bowls: Portion the steamed rice into large bowls. Top each rice bowl with the chicken and egg mixture and any remaining sauce. Garnish with sesame seeds and togarashi if using. Serve and enjoy!2 servings steamed rice, sesame seeds, togarashi
Notes
- Oyakodon sauce – If you prefer more sauce with your oyakodon, simply increase the amount of water and tsuyu base accordingly. I recommend adding 2 tablespoons of water per 1 teaspoon of tsuyu base.
- For better presentation, work in batches to prepare each serving separately in a small pan. This makes it easier to serve but it’s not necessary.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
Made this for my husband who was sick. He said it was really good! I added more water and tsuyu for more broth. Great recipe.
This was just the kind of comfort food I was craving today and the perfect way to use up leftover cooked rice. I did a single serve and followed the recipe exactly as written. For me, it was the perfect quantity of sauce and great balance of flavour. I can imagine this becoming a staple lunch for me!
My friend recommended your blog to me – she loves your Yaki Udon. I’ll have to make sure she has left you a comment 🙂
Really love all the flavors and how the rice has soaked up all that incredible broth. Definitely a keeper for busy weeknights.
I’m so glad that I tried it! It was my first time ever having it, and it didn’t disappoint. I’m excited to try some of your other recipes now! My egg-loving kid also loved this. Thanks!
This was pure comfort food, so delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe. I will make this again soon!
So good. My son has been begging me to make it again. I definitely will!!