Sake-Kissed Chicken with Pickled Gingko and Shiitake

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A harmonious Japanese dish where chicken marinated in authentic honjozo-style sake achieves perfect tenderness, paired with earthy shiitake and subtly tart pickled gingko for an umami-rich experience. This japanese-inspired asian ready in about 50 minutes pairs boneless chicken thighs, dry sake, mirin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 2, 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. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.2 (11 ratings) Prep: 35 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Japanese cuisine 580 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp dry sake, 2 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp grated ginger. Add 12 oz boneless chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is fully coated, and marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tsp sesame oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade) and sear for 4 minutes per side until golden brown and juices run clear.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 oz sliced shiitake mushrooms to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes until tender. Pour in the reserved marinade and simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
  4. Step 4: Gently fold in 1/4 cup pickled gingko nuts and cook for 1 minute until heated through. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped green onions.
  5. Step 5: Serve over 2 cups cooked white rice, drizzling any remaining sauce from the skillet over the top.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sake-Kissed Chicken with Pickled Gingko and Shiitake take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (35 min prep + 15 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 Sake-Kissed Chicken with Pickled Gingko and Shiitake?

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 boneless chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sake-Kissed Chicken with Pickled Gingko and Shiitake?

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 Sake-Kissed Chicken with Pickled Gingko and Shiitake for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Sake-Kissed Chicken with Pickled Gingko and Shiitake?

Japanese asian 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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