Chicken and Vegetable Ozoni with Clear Broth and Pan-Seared Mochi

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A savory, clear broth soup with pan-seared mochi, tender chicken, and fresh vegetables, perfect for celebrating the New Year. This japanese-inspired new year ready in about 60 minutes pairs cut into 1-inch cubes chicken breast, water, kombu for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.1 (13 ratings) Prep: 35 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Japanese cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Combine 5 cups water and 5 g kombu in a pot and soak for 30 minutes. Heat gently over medium heat until just before boiling, then remove kombu.
  2. Step 2: Add 10 g katsuobushi to the pot, simmer for 3 minutes, then strain to create clear dashi broth.
  3. Step 3: Return the strained broth to the pot and add 8 oz cubed chicken breast, 1/2 cup sliced daikon radish, and 1/2 cup carrot rounds. Simmer for 10 minutes until chicken is cooked and vegetables are tender.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp mirin, and 1/2 tsp salt, adjusting seasoning as needed.
  5. Step 5: In a nonstick skillet, heat over medium heat and pan-sear 4 pieces of mochi rice cakes for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden and puffed.
  6. Step 6: Place the seared mochi into 4 serving bowls, ladle the hot broth with chicken and vegetables over the mochi, and garnish with 2 sliced green onion stalks before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chicken and Vegetable Ozoni with Clear Broth and Pan-Seared Mochi take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (35 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chicken and Vegetable Ozoni with Clear Broth and Pan-Seared Mochi?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep water from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chicken and Vegetable Ozoni with Clear Broth and Pan-Seared Mochi?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chicken and Vegetable Ozoni with Clear Broth and Pan-Seared Mochi for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Chicken and Vegetable Ozoni with Clear Broth and Pan-Seared Mochi?

Japanese new year like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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