Izakaya Sakura Squash With Chicken

May 28, 2023May 28, 20230 12

Delicious Izakaya Sakura Squash with Chicken recipe for a healthy dinner

by The Chefin Main

Prep

15 min

Cook

25 min

Ready In

40 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

235

Sugar

Fat

Izakaya Sakura Squash with Chicken is a traditional dish served in izakayas, or Japanese-style pubs. The dish is made with kabocha squash, which is a dark green squash with a sweet flavor and a texture similar to potatoes. When combined with ground chicken, dashi, sugar, sake, and soy sauce, it creates a delicious and hearty main dish that is perfect for a healthy dinner. This dish is often served with rice and pickled vegetables, and pairs well with a cold beer or glass of sake.

Instructions

1.	Cut the kabocha squash into small cubes.
2.	In a separate bowl, mix together the dashi, sugar, sake, and soy sauce.
3.	Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
4.	Add the ground chicken to the skillet, breaking it up into small pieces with a spatula as it cooks.
5.	Once the chicken is cooked through, add the kabocha squash to the skillet and stir until it is coated in the chicken and sauce mixture.
6.	Pour the remaining sauce over the mixture in the skillet and stir until it is fully combined.
7.	Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the squash is soft and the sauce has thickened.

PROS

This dish is a great source of protein from the chicken, and the kabocha squash is full of fiber and vitamins.

The dashi and soy sauce add a delicious umami flavor to the dish.

CONS

The sugar and sake in the sauce can add extra calories and sugar to the dish.

The kabocha squash can be difficult to cut, so be careful when preparing it.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Kabocha squash is high in fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium, and has been linked to improved eye health and reduced risk of certain types of cancer.
The chicken in this dish is a good source of protein, which is important for building and repairing muscle tissue.
The soy sauce and dashi both contain high levels of glutamic acid, which contributes to the umami flavor of the dish and has been linked to improved cognitive function.

	1/3 kabocha squash
	1/2 lb ground chicken
	1 cup dashi
	1 tablespoon sugar
	1 tablespoon sake
	1 tablespoon soy sauce
	1/4 tablespoon vegetable oil