Have you ever wondered which part of the chicken is the most popular around the world? While chicken breast is the go-to in many countries, Japan has a different favorite: the juicy, flavorful chicken thigh. In this roundup, I’m sharing 25 delicious Japanese recipes featuring tender, boneless chicken thighs that will add variety to your dinner rotation.
1. Karaage (Crispy Japanese Fried Chicken)
Karaage takes humble chicken thighs and turns them into irresistible, crispy, umami-packed bites that have taken Japan by storm.
What makes this version special is the unique “hailstone effect” created with a special potato starch coating technique. If you’re looking for a satisfying crunch with a Japanese twist, this recipe is perfect for you.
2. Negima Yakitori in A Frying Pan
Turn your kitchen into a Japanese izakaya with homemade Negima Yakitori, where juicy chicken thighs and soft leeks are served on bamboo skewers.
The beauty of this recipe is that it makes a traditionally complex dish much simpler. If you like Japanese cooking but don’t want to deal with charcoal grilling, this pan-fried method is a game-changer.
3. Chicken Miso Soup (Torijiru)
Find out why Torijiru is becoming Japan’s go-to alternative to classic pork miso soup. Each bowl features the pure, clean flavors of chicken thighs in a perfectly balanced miso broth that lets every ingredient stand out.
By using every part of the chicken, including the crispy skin as a garnish, this version makes a simple soup into something really special.
4. Chicken Udon Noodle Soup
Try Chicken Nanban Udon, where tasty chicken thighs and charred leeks make a simple noodle dish that is really special.
Each bowl is packed with chewy udon, twice-fried tofu, and a rich dashi broth that work perfectly together.
5. Keichan Yaki (Miso Marinated Chicken & Vegetables)
Let me introduce you to Keichan Yaki, a miso-marinated chicken dish that’s been a well-kept secret in Gifu Prefecture for generations.
This hearty dish features tender chicken thighs and seasonal vegetables, all transformed by a remarkable miso marinade.
6. Chicken Zosui (Japanese Rice Soup)
Chicken Zosui is the ultimate comfort food. It’s got tender chicken thighs, fresh vegetables, and perfectly cooked rice in a savory soy-based broth.
Each bite is packed with warmth and satisfaction, thanks to an innovative chicken skin infusion that adds a whole new depth.
7. Takikomi Gohan (Japanese Seasoned Rice)
Try Takikomi Gohan, a hearty Japanese rice dish that captures the essence of autumn in every bite.
Tender chicken thighs and seasonal vegetables are cooked together with rice in a dashi-based broth, creating a deeply satisfying one-pot meal.
8. Chikuzenni (Simmered Chicken and Vegetables)
Chikuzenni is known for its excellent nimono-style chicken thighs, which are sautéed until golden and then combined with a mix of root vegetables in a seasoned dashi broth.
This dish from Northern Kyushu is a great example of how sweet and savory flavors can be balanced with remarkable finesse.
9. Nabeyaki Udon (Udon Hot Pot)
When winter winds blow, Nabeyaki Udon is there for you with its steaming donabe pot filled with thick noodles and succulent chicken thighs.
It’s an ideal choice for those who believe good things come to those who wait, as the flavors deepen with each passing minute.
10. Easy and Delicious Ponzu Chicken
Experience the magic of perfectly crisped chicken thighs dressed in a vibrant homemade ponzu sauce.
This recipe takes the classic teriyaki concept but ventures into brighter territory with its bold citrus notes and umami-rich undertones.
11. Chicken Tatsuta Age
Tatsuta Age stands out in the world of Japanese fried chicken thanks to its unique autumn leaf look and sophisticated soy marinade.
Each chicken thigh piece is coated in potato starch, which creates a unique look and ensures maximum crispiness.
12. Nagoya Style Ozoni (New Year’s Soup with Mochi)
Try out Nagoya’s special contribution to Japan’s diverse ozoni tradition, where pan-seared chicken thighs meet delicate dashi broth and chewy mochi.
There are tons of different versions of this New Year’s soup, and Nagoya’s is pretty minimalist compared to the rest.
13. Oyako Udon (Chicken and Egg Udon Noodle Soup)
The name “oyako” is a poetic reference to the chicken-egg duo that makes this dish unique.
This udon version is different from the rice-based oyakodon. The chicken thigh’s rich flavor infuses the entire soup, making it a great choice for noodle lovers who want to try Japanese home cooking.
14. Chicken Katsu Curry and Rice
Take a step into Japan’s comfort food scene with Chicken Katsu Curry, where crispy panko-crusted cutlets meet a luxuriously thick curry sauce.
This Japanese take on the spicy curry is sweeter and gentler than the traditional version, and it’s become a modern classic.
15. Black Vinegar Chicken (Ootoya-style Tori Kurozu An)
Come and try Ootoya’s legendary Tori to Yasai No Kurozu An, where golden-fried chicken meets an intriguing black vinegar sauce.
This homestyle Japanese dish takes simple ingredients and makes them something special with careful technique and the unique character of aged kurozu vinegar.
16. Cream Stew
Meet the Japanese cream stew that’s changing the game for weeknight dinners. This one-pot wonder combines succulent chicken thighs and crisp vegetables in an out-of-this-world sauce.
This much-loved family dish shows how Japanese cuisine adapts Western techniques to create something new and unique.
17. Oyakodon (Chicken and Egg Rice Bowl)
Steam rises from a bowl of oyakodon, carrying the delicious, sweet aroma of chicken and dashi through your kitchen. The key is getting the timing right – adding the eggs at just the right moment to create that signature silky texture while keeping the chicken thighs tender.
Ideal for cooks who love dishes that look deceptively simple but carry deep, satisfying flavors.
18. Teriyaki Chicken
Sizzling chicken thighs transform into glossy perfection in this 15-minute Japanese Teriyaki Chicken recipe.
Skin-on thighs develop a stunning caramelized exterior while staying juicy inside, proving why this dish has captured hearts worldwide.
19. The Ultimate Crispy Chicken Katsu
Crunch into Japanese Chicken Katsu and discover why thigh meat makes all the difference in this beloved cutlet. The meat stays juicy and tender while the panko coating achieves that distinctive golden crackle that makes katsu irresistible.
A custom sesame sauce elevates this version beyond the ordinary, while the choice of thigh meat ensures maximum flavor!
20. Chicken Nanban
Forget everything you know about fried chicken—Chicken Nanban rewrites the rules with its cloud-like egg coating and bold sweet-vinegar sauce.
Thanks to its crowning glory of Japanese-style tartar sauce, each bite of tender thigh meat delivers a perfect balance of crispy, tangy, and creamy.
21. Yakitori Donburi
This skewer-free Yakitori Donburi puts a modern spin on traditional yakitori. It’s got bite-sized chicken thighs and crisp vegetables in a rich, garlicky sauce.
This bowl captures all the smoky-sweet flavors of grilled chicken at an izakaya in a more casual, home-friendly format.
22. Japanese Ketchup Fried Rice
Think beyond the usual kids’ menus with this sophisticated Japanese ketchup rice, where tender chicken thighs meet a complex tomato-based sauce elevated by adult-friendly herbs and seasonings.
This version takes a childhood favorite and turns it into a meal that would be right at home at any dinner party.
23. Karaage Don
Karaage Donburi celebrates Japan’s beloved fried chicken in its most comforting form, nestled atop fluffy rice with crisp shredded cabbage.
Each piece of thigh meat stays incredibly juicy inside its crispy coating, while a special sweet sauce adds the perfect finishing touch.
24. Japanese Teriyaki Chicken Pizza
East meets West deliciously in this Teriyaki Chicken Pizza, where juicy chicken thigh meat glazed in sweet-savory sauce meets Japanese-style toppings.
Born in Nagoya but beloved nationwide, this fusion creates something entirely unique – neither purely pizza nor purely Japanese.
25. Garlic Teriyaki Chicken Donburi
Meet your new weeknight hero: Garlic Teriyaki Chicken Donburi, where garlicky goodness amplifies the sweet-savory notes of traditional teriyaki.
Pan-fried chicken thighs develop a gorgeous glaze while staying incredibly juicy inside.
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