Authentic Hibachi Chicken with Fried Rice Recipe

by
Pin
Share
Tweet
0 Shares

Hibachi chicken is a delicious Japanese-inspired dish that brings the exciting flavors of a teppanyaki grill right to your home. With tender chicken cooked in a savory-sweet combination of soy sauce, garlic, and brown sugar, it’s a perfect balance of flavors. Paired with sautéed vegetables, fried rice, and a homemade yum yum sauce that adds a creamy, slightly spicy kick, this dish recreates the popular Japanese steakhouse experience.

Ingredients

For the Yum Yum Sauce:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise

  • 1 tablespoon melted butter

  • 1/2 tablespoon Sriracha sauce or ketchup

  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

  • 1 tablespoon mirin (optional)

  • 1–2 tablespoons water

For the Chicken:

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

  • 2 tablespoons butter, divided

  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

  • Juice of 1/2 lemon

  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Vegetables:

  • 1 cup zucchini, sliced into half-moons

  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced

  • 1 cup onion, sliced

  • 1 cup carrots, julienned

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Fried Rice:

  • 3 cups cooked white rice (preferably day-old)

  • 2 tablespoons butter

  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 large eggs, beaten

  • 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots

  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Prepare the Yum Yum Sauce:

    • In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, melted butter, Sriracha (or ketchup), paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, sugar, and mirin if using.

    • Add 1–2 tablespoons of water to achieve your desired consistency.

    • Stir until smooth and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend.

  2. Cook the Chicken:

    • Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

    • Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil in a skillet or wok over medium-high heat.

    • Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.

    • Add the garlic, soy sauce, brown sugar, and the remaining tablespoon of butter.

    • Squeeze lemon juice over the chicken, stir well, and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

    • Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

  3. Prepare the Vegetables:

    • In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of sesame oil.

    • Add the zucchini, mushrooms, onion, and carrots. Stir-fry for 5–7 minutes until they are tender-crisp.

    • Season with salt, pepper, and soy sauce.

    • Remove from the skillet and set aside.

  4. Make the Fried Rice:

    • In the same skillet, add the butter and sesame oil over medium heat.

    • Sauté the garlic for about 30 seconds.

    • Push the garlic to one side and pour the beaten eggs into the other side. Scramble the eggs until cooked, then mix with the garlic.

    • Add the cooked rice, peas and carrots, and soy sauce. Stir and cook for 2–3 minutes until heated through.

    • Stir in the green onions and remove from heat.

  5. Assemble and Serve:

    • Plate the hibachi chicken with vegetables and fried rice.

    • Drizzle with sesame oil if desired.

    • Serve with the yum yum sauce on the side. Enjoy!

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

  • Serving Size: 1 generous plate

  • Calories: ~600–700 per serving (depending on portions and ingredients used)

  • Protein: ~35–45g

  • Fat: ~30g

  • Carbohydrates: ~50–60g

  • Fiber: ~3–5g

  • Sugar: ~5–8g

  • Sodium: ~1000mg (can be adjusted by reducing soy sauce and salt)

The Elements of Hibachi Chicken

  1. The Chicken

At the heart of hibachi chicken is, of course, the chicken itself. Typically, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the cut of choice for this dish. The chicken is cut into bite-sized pieces, which helps it cook evenly and allows the sauce to coat every bite. The chicken is then seasoned and cooked in a combination of butter and sesame oil, giving it a rich, slightly nutty flavor.

The key to perfect hibachi chicken is achieving the ideal balance between tenderness and a slightly crispy exterior. The high heat of the cooking surface ensures a quick sear, locking in juices while the interior remains moist. The addition of garlic, soy sauce, and a touch of brown sugar creates a mouthwatering glaze that balances savory and sweet, making the chicken irresistible. A squeeze of lemon juice at the end adds a fresh burst of acidity, cutting through the richness of the sauce and enhancing the overall flavor.

  1. The Vegetables

No hibachi meal is complete without vegetables, and they are just as important as the chicken. Typically, hibachi vegetables include zucchini, mushrooms, onions, and carrots—each adding its own texture and flavor to the dish. The vegetables are stir-fried quickly in sesame oil, ensuring they remain tender-crisp. Stir-frying vegetables in this manner locks in their natural sweetness while maintaining their vibrant colors.

The vegetables not only provide a fresh and healthy component to the dish, but their slight smokiness from the high heat of the cooking process adds another layer of depth to the flavor profile. The soy sauce and seasonings used in the chicken marinade are also added to the vegetables, infusing them with additional flavor, making them the perfect sidekick to the star ingredient—chicken.

  1. The Fried Rice

Fried rice is another hallmark of hibachi meals. This side dish is a delicious combination of day-old rice, sautéed with garlic, eggs, and a few key ingredients like peas, carrots, and soy sauce. The secret to perfect fried rice is using rice that has been cooked and cooled beforehand, as this prevents the rice from becoming mushy when fried. The result is a slightly crispy, savory rice that complements the tender chicken and vegetables beautifully.

The addition of scrambled eggs gives the fried rice a creamy texture, and the peas and carrots provide small bursts of sweetness and color. Chopped green onions are often sprinkled on top to give the rice an extra pop of flavor and freshness. Fried rice is a versatile dish that can easily be adjusted to suit your preferences, but it’s essential to get the seasoning right to balance the richness of the chicken and vegetables.

  1. The Yum Yum Sauce

What truly sets hibachi chicken apart from other dishes is the addition of yum yum sauce. This creamy, slightly spicy sauce is typically served on the side and drizzled over the chicken, vegetables, and rice. While its precise origins are debated, yum yum sauce has become a staple in Japanese-American cuisine, particularly in hibachi-style restaurants.

Yum yum sauce is made by combining mayonnaise, butter, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and sugar to create a thick, flavorful sauce with a tangy, mildly spicy kick. The result is a sauce that is creamy, slightly sweet, and packs a punch of flavor. Some versions of yum yum sauce also include Sriracha or ketchup to adjust the heat level. This sauce ties all the elements of the dish together, adding a comforting creaminess that complements the savory chicken, vegetables, and rice.

How to Make Hibachi Chicken at Home

Recreating hibachi chicken at home is easier than you might think. While you won’t have the benefit of a large teppanyaki grill, you can achieve similar results with a skillet or wok. The key is high-heat cooking to get that sear on the chicken and vegetables, which helps to lock in flavor and texture.

First, marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, and a little sesame oil. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors penetrate the chicken. When you’re ready to cook, heat your skillet over medium-high heat and add butter and sesame oil to create a flavorful cooking base. Sear the chicken pieces until golden and cooked through, and then toss in the garlic and sauce ingredients to create a glaze.

In the same skillet, you can quickly stir-fry your vegetables, taking care not to overcook them. The fried rice comes together with just a few simple ingredients, and the yum yum sauce is easily prepared while everything else cooks. Once everything is ready, plate the chicken, vegetables, and fried rice, and serve with a side of the creamy yum yum sauce for dipping or drizzling.

Why You Should Try Hibachi Chicken

Hibachi chicken is the perfect dish to prepare when you’re craving something flavorful and satisfying but don’t want to go out to eat. It combines the simplicity of grilled chicken with the rich flavors of Japanese-inspired seasonings, complemented by vibrant vegetables, fried rice, and a creamy dipping sauce. The dish is versatile, easy to make, and sure to impress family and friends with its vibrant presentation and delicious flavors.

The best part? Hibachi chicken allows for plenty of customization. Whether you’re looking to reduce the sodium content, swap out the vegetables, or add more spice, the recipe is flexible and easy to adjust based on your dietary preferences or what you have on hand. Plus, it’s a great way to explore the world of Japanese-inspired cooking without needing to be an expert in the kitchen.

Conclusion

In conclusion, hibachi chicken is a flavorful, satisfying meal that combines the best elements of Japanese teppanyaki grilling with home-cooked comfort. With tender chicken, sautéed vegetables, flavorful fried rice, and a tangy-sweet yum yum sauce, this dish brings all the elements of a hibachi meal into your own kitchen. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, a special occasion, or just craving something new, hibachi chicken is a great choice that’s sure to delight. Give it a try and enjoy the fun, vibrant flavors of hibachi cooking from the comfort of your home!

Pin
Share
Tweet
0 Shares

Leave a Comment