Chicken Sushi Bake (Printable view)

Savory casserole with tender chicken, sushi rice, and melted cheese topped with avocado and furikake.

# What You 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 mayonnaise (preferably Japanese Kewpie)
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-sized pieces
16 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
17 - Extra sriracha and mayonnaise, for drizzling

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish.
02 - Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until water runs 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 - In a small bowl, dissolve rice vinegar, sugar, and salt. Gently fold this mixture into the cooked rice.
04 - In a medium bowl, blend cooked chicken, mayonnaise, cream cheese, sriracha, soy sauce, and green onions until creamy and uniform.
05 - Spread the seasoned rice evenly in the prepared dish. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon furikake over the rice.
06 - Layer the chicken mixture evenly over the rice. Top with shredded mozzarella and remaining furikake.
07 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until cheese is melted and lightly golden.
08 - Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes. Top with sliced avocado, nori strips, toasted sesame seeds, and drizzle with additional sriracha and mayonnaise if desired.
09 - Serve warm by scooping portions onto plates or nori sheets.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes like sushi night without the rolling frustration or your hands cramping halfway through.
  • One baking dish means less cleanup, and everyone at the table gets to customize their own plate.
  • The creamy, umami-rich layers feel indulgent but the whole thing comes together in under an hour.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the sushi rice—I learned this the hard way when my first attempt turned into a starch-heavy paste instead of distinct grains.
  • The avocado and nori go on after baking, not before, because the heat will make them soggy and bitter.
  • If you find the mayo mixture too thick, you can thin it with a splash of rice vinegar, but add it slowly so you don't oversaturate everything.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes if you have time—they go from pale to nutty and fragrant, and people will ask what smells so good.
  • Spread the chicken mixture right to the edges so every bite has that creamy layer, not just the center.
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