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Chicken Tempura Roll

A delightful dish combining crispy tempura chicken and creamy avocado, all enveloped in sushi rice and nori.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Japanese
Calories: 550

Ingredients
  

For the Sushi Rice
  • 1 cup short-grain rice (Nishiki or Calrose)
  • 1.25 cups cold filtered water
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (slightly warmed)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (or coconut sugar)
  • 1 tablespoon fine sea salt
For the Tempura Chicken
  • 1 piece chicken breast (about 8 oz), sliced into ½-inch strips
  • 0.5 cup plain flour
  • 0.5 cup corn flour (cornstarch)
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1.5 cups neutral cooking oil (vegetable or canola)
For Rolling
  • 1 sheet nori sheet (sushi nori)
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced
  • to taste White and black sesame seeds (toasted) for garnish

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Rinse the rice 3-4 times under cold water until it runs almost clear. Combine the rinsed rice and cold filtered water in a pot, bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 12 minutes. Once cooking is complete, allow the rice to steam for an additional 10 minutes without lifting the lid.
  2. Mix together the rice vinegar, sugar, and fine sea salt in a small bowl until dissolved. Once the rice is ready, transfer it to a large bowl and gently fold in the vinegar mixture.
Cook the Chicken
  1. In two separate bowls, mix the plain flour with half the salt and black pepper in one, and the corn flour with the remaining seasonings in another.
  2. Heat the neutral cooking oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C). Coat each chicken strip first in the flour mixture, then in the cornstarch mixture.
  3. Fry the chicken strips for about 3-4 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, drain them on a wire rack.
Rolling the Sushi
  1. Place the nori sheet shiny side down on a bamboo mat. Wet your hands and take a handful of prepared rice. Spread an even layer about ¼ inch thick over the nori, leaving a 1-inch border at the top.
  2. Arrange the tempura chicken strips and avocado slices along the bottom third of the rice. Roll tightly, using the mat to guide the sushi into a compact roll.
  3. Slice through with a sharp, wet knife to prevent sticking. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for garnish.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For healthier swaps, use brown rice instead of white rice or opt for baked chicken. Consider adding cucumbers or carrots for extra crunch.