Hibachi Chicken with Fried Rice

This vibrant Hibachi Chicken with Fried Rice brings a taste of your favorite Japanese steakhouse right to your kitchen. Juicy chicken, garlicky fried rice, and colorful vegetables come together fast, making it perfect for busy weeknights or prepping meals in advance. The homemade yum yum sauce is the finishing touch that turns it into a real treat.

I started making this on a whim for a quick dinner years ago and now my family cheers every time they see hibachi chicken on the menu. It is the most requested dish at our weekend meal prep sessions.

Ingredients

• Mayonnaise: gives the yum yum sauce its creamy base look for Japanese or full fat mayonnaise for richness
• Ketchup: adds sweetness and color select a good quality ketchup for best flavor
• Sriracha: brings gentle heat adjust to your spice preference
• Paprika: creates lovely color opt for smoked for deeper flavor
• Mirin: gives sweet depth to sauce and stir fries select real mirin for authenticity
• Garlic powder: offers mellow garlic undertones always use fresh ground if possible
• Olive oil: for sautéing chicken and vegetables use extra virgin for more flavor
• Butter: softens and helps everything brown nicely unsalted is best
• Chicken thighs: stay juicy and tender during quick cooking choose boneless skinless for simplicity
• Salt and pepper to taste: season well for flavorful chicken
• Soy sauce: brings umami saltiness use low sodium if sensitive
• Hoisin sauce: gives sweet and savory depth a good quality brand makes a difference
• Minced garlic: boosts savory notes fresh minced is always better
• Honey: balances sauce with gentle sweetness
• Onion: adds a sweet caramelized base white or yellow onion is perfect
• Mushrooms: give earthy richness select firm and fresh mushrooms
• Zucchini: offers color and mild flavor smaller zucchini are more tender
• Eggs: fluff up the fried rice and add protein pasture raised have best flavor
• Oyster sauce: adds rich savoriness to the fried rice
• Cooked rice: leftover cold rice works best for texture
• Frozen peas: give a pop of green and burst of sweetness

Tips for Selecting Quality Items

Tips for selecting quality items include using day old rice for the best fried rice texture and checking that your chicken is fresh and moist never slimy

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Yum Yum Sauce:

Mix together mayonnaise ketchup sriracha paprika mirin and garlic powder until smooth chill in the fridge

Sear and Cook the Chicken:

In a hot wok or Dutch oven add olive oil and melt the butter over high heat. Add diced chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Sear for five to six minutes stirring often until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink

Flavor the Chicken:

Pour in soy sauce hoisin sauce mirin minced garlic and honey. Toss well for the sauce to coat chicken. Simmer a few minutes until sauce thickens and clings to chicken. Set chicken aside

Sauté the Vegetables:

In the same pan without wiping it add olive oil and the remaining butter. Once melted toss in sliced onions mushrooms and zucchini. Stir fry for one minute then splash in soy sauce. Keep stir frying until veggies are just tender but still have bite

Make the Fried Rice:

Melt butter in a wok over high heat. Stir in minced garlic for about thirty seconds until fragrant. Add cooked rice soy sauce and oyster sauce. Stir fry to heat rice thoroughly and soak up sauces

Cook and Mix the Eggs:

Push rice to the side of the wok and crack in the eggs. Scramble them lightly then mix eggs into rice

Add Peas and Finish:

Stir in frozen peas. Cook until peas are warmed through. Remove from heat and serve immediately with chicken vegetables and yum yum sauce

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You Must Know

Soy sauce and mirin are my secret weapons in this dish. Every time I make this my family joins around the stove trying to sneak tastes of the chicken hot from the pan. There is just something about the sweet and savory sauce that feels like a special occasion even on a weeknight.

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to three days. Fried rice and chicken both reheat well in a skillet just add a splash of water to restore moisture. The yum yum sauce keeps for a week in the fridge and tastes even better on day two.

Ingredient Substitutions

Chicken breasts work in place of thighs though thighs are juicier. Tamari or coconut aminos can replace soy sauce for a gluten free meal. Leave out the oyster sauce for a vegetarian version and toss in extra mushrooms or broccoli.

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Serving Suggestions

Serve this with a sprinkle of sesame seeds or fresh herbs like scallions for extra flair. A simple cucumber salad or a bowl of miso soup rounds out the meal. For a more festive spread put out extra dipping sauces and let everyone build their own plate.

Cultural Context

Hibachi cooking originates from Japan as a style of grilling meat and vegetables over an open flame. In American Japanese steakhouses the term often refers to lively table side grill shows. This recipe brings those bold flavors and fun right to your kitchen.

Recipe FAQs

→ What is hibachi-style chicken?

Hibachi-style chicken is seared on high heat, often in a wok or griddle, and coated in a savory sauce that combines soy, mirin, garlic, and a touch of sweetener.

→ Can I substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast?

Yes, chicken breast can be used, but thighs tend to be juicier and more flavorful after stir-frying.

→ How do I get fried rice to taste like restaurant versions?

Use day-old cooked rice, high heat, plenty of garlic, and a blend of soy and oyster sauces for a classic taste and texture.

→ What vegetables work best for hibachi dishes?

Onions, mushrooms, and zucchini are traditional, but you can add bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli for extra color and crunch.

→ Is yum yum sauce necessary?

While optional, yum yum sauce adds creamy, tangy flavor that pairs well with both the chicken and rice. It elevates the overall meal.

→ How do I meal prep this dish?

Store chicken, vegetables, and rice in separate containers in the fridge. Reheat portions as needed for quick lunches or dinners.