Chicken Teriyaki Rice Bowls

Source: Milk Street

Ingredients

4 tablespoons sake, divided
4 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon soy sauce, divided
1-1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1/4 cup Mirin
2 teaspoons white sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger (or 1/8th teaspoon ground)
1-1/2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
3 medium scallions, thinly sliced on bias
2 teaspoons unseasoned rice vinegar
1/4 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 teaspoons grape seed or other neutral oil, divided
4 cups cooked Japanese-style short-grain rice, hot

Directions

In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of the sake and 1 teaspoon soy sauce. (Or 1/2 tsp soy sauce plus 1/2 tsp dark soy sauce.) Add the chicken and toss. Let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium, combine the remaining 1 tablespoon sake, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, the mirin and sugar. (Optional: Add 1 tsp dark soy sauce.) Cook, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute. Off heat, stir in the ginger; set aside.
In a medium bowl, toss the cabbage and scallions with the remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce, the rice vinegar and sesame oil. Set aside. Drain the chicken in a fine mesh strainer. Wipe out the bowl, then return the chicken to it. Sprinkle with cornstarch and toss to coat.
In a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high, heat 2 teaspoons of the oil until beginning to smoke. Add half the chicken in an even layer and cook without stirring until well browned on the bottom and the edges turn opaque, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and cook without stirring until well browned on the second side, about another 3 minutes. Transfer to a clean bowl and repeat with the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and remaining chicken. Wipe out the skillet, then return the chicken to the pan. Pour in the soy sauce-ginger mixture and stir to coat. Cook over medium-high, stirring, until the liquid is syrupy and the chicken is glazed, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Divide the rice among 4 bowls. Top with the cabbage mixture and chicken.