Chicken tsukune is a dish you’ll often find at Japanese izakayas, and it’s also commonly made at home.
Wanting a healthier, lower-calorie version, I decided to add tofu this time!
By mixing in tofu, the patties become lighter and fluffier compared to using only meat. Plus, the moisture in the tofu blends into the mixture, making them tender and juicy. With this version, you can enjoy as many as you like without any guilt!

Here is the recipe ! You can also check out the recipe here Homemade Sweet & Savory Tsukune

Ingredients(Serves 2)

• 5 1/3 oz ground chicken
• 5 1/4 oz silken tofu (about 150 g)
• 1/2 the white part of a Japanese long onion finely chopped
• 1/2 tbsp. vegetable oil (for pan-frying)
• 1 tbsp. sake (or dry white wine)
• 1 egg yolk (optional, for serving)
• (A)4 tbsp. panko breadcrumbs
• (A)1 egg white
• (A)1 tsp. grated ginger (or from a tube)
• (A)salt and pepper (to taste)
• (B)3 tbsp. soy sauce
• (B)2 tbsp. sugar
• (B)2 tbsp. mirin
• (B)1 tbsp. sake (or dry white wine)

Instructions

1,Wrap the silken tofu in paper towels and microwave at 600W for 1 minute to remove excess moisture.

2,Finely chop the white part of the Japanese long onion.

3,In a bowl, mix the drained tofu, chopped onion, ground chicken, and A ingredients (panko breadcrumbs, egg white, ginger, salt, and pepper). Knead well until evenly combined.

4,Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions. Shape into patties by tossing between your palms to release any trapped air. (Lightly oiling your hands helps prevent sticking.)

5,Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Sear both sides of the patties until golden.

6,Add 1 tbsp. sake, cover, and steam over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes. Light charring is ideal for extra flavor.

7,Add B sauce ingredients (soy sauce, sugar, mirin, and sake) and simmer until the sauce thickens and coats the patties with a shiny glaze.

Tips & Notes

・Charring the tsukune after steaming them results in a restaurant-like flavor.
・Let the sauce fully reduce and coat the patties for a rich, glossy finish.