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Japanese Chicken Soup

Japanese Chicken Soup is a light, umami-rich broth rooted in the foundational flavors of dashi and tender chicken thigh. It boasts a health-conscious profile, being both low-carb and gluten-free, while also delivering a nutritious soup packed with essential vitamins and minerals.

Remarkably simple to prepare, this soup requires minimal effort and can be ready in under 10 minutes, making it an ideal winter companion to both warm your body and complement any Japanese style meal.

Japanese chicken soup being scooped up with a wooden spoon.

How to make Japanese Chicken Soup?

Directions

  1. Start by boiling water with bonito flakes, for a deeper umami touch, incorporate kombu dried seaweed or opt for a quicker route with 1/4 tsp hondashi per cup of water.
  2. Once the dashi is prepared, introduce bite-sized chicken thigh cubes, soy sauce, Japanese sake, and salt, letting them simmer for 5-6 minutes on medium heat.
  3. Pour the soup into a bowl, garnishing with freshly chopped green onion. Adjust the taste with salt if required, and for an added kick, sprinkle some shichimi togarashi red pepper on top.

What ingredients do I need to make Japanese chicken soup?

Ingredients

  • Chicken Thigh – boneless and skinless chicken thigh cut into bite sized cube pieces.
  • Dashi fish broth made from steeping kombu and bonito flakes with boiling water. Can also use Hondashi mixed in water for instant dashi.
  • Soy Sauce – low-sodium Soy Sauce preferred. Can also use tamari for gluten-free.
  • Japanese Sake – typically will come in a large bottle labeled junmai sake. Can also substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine, found at local grocery stores or Asian markets. 
  • Salt sea salt preferred. 
  • Green Onion – freshly chopped green onion scallions.

What is Dashi

Dashi is a staple Japanese broth derived from boiling bonito flakes, kombu, or a combination of the two, infusing dishes with a distinct savory and umami depth.

For added convenience, many choose dashi packets, pre-packed with bonito flakes, mushrooms, and kombu seaweed, or simply use hondashi powder. These alternatives simplify the dashi-making process, ensuring an easy extraction of umami flavors.

Japanese chicken soup served in a white bowl topped with green onions, top down shot.

What to do with leftover?

Store leftovers, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10-14 days. For best results, reheat on a stovetop pot, though a microwave can also be used.

Looking for other Japanese soup recipes recipes?

Japanese chicken soup being scooped up with a wooden spoon.

 

Japanese chicken soup being scooped up with a wooden spoon.

Japanese Chicken Soup

Savor the authentic flavors of Japanese Chicken Soup, a light yet umami-rich broth featuring succulent chicken thigh. Discover the simplicity and health benefits of this traditional dish, perfect for those seeking a genuine Japanese chicken soup experience.
4.89 from 9 votes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: chicken Japanese soup, chicken thigh soup, Japanese chicken soup, Japanese chicken soup recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
Print Recipe
Calories: 271kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 lbs Chicken Thigh boneless and skinless
  • 4 Cups Dashi can sub with hondashi
  • 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Japanese Sake can substitute with dry sherry wine or Chinese cooking wine
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 Stalk Green Onion

Instructions

  • Gather all the ingredients.
    Keto Japanese Chicken Soup Ozoni Recipe (27)
  • In stove top pot, make 4 cups of Dashi. Note - if using hondashi powder, use 1 tsp of hondashi and 4cups of water.
    Japanese Chicken Soup Recipe
  • In the meantime, cut chicken thighs into 1/2 x 1/2 inch bite size pieces and set aside.
    Keto Japanese Chicken Soup Ozoni Recipe (24)
  • Bring Dashi to a boil on high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and add chicken, Soy Sauce, salt and Japanese sake. Cook for 5-6 minutes uncovered.
    Japanese Chicken Soup Recipe (8)
  • In the meantime, finely slice green onions and set aside (we sliced them at 45 degree for this recipe, but you can slice them however you like).
    Keto Japanese Chicken Soup Ozoni Recipe (23)
  • Once 5-6 minutes has passed, transfer soup to serving bowl and top with green onions.
    Japanese Chicken Soup Recipe (9)

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 271kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 954mg | Potassium: 272mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 148IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg
*Values Based Per Serving
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2 Comments

  1. Just what Im looking for…..
    Mom & Dad& Auntie have to watch carbs & sugar
    Been cooking for them🤪 but so hard to make tastey food they like( pref Japanese)

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