This Hibachi Chicken recipe is a dizzyingly delicious Japanese inspired dish (like Benihanas!) served with bites of juicy pan seared chicken, stir fried vegetables and buttery fried rice, all dunked in creamy yum yum sauce!
This Hibachi Chicken recipe is every bit as swoon worthy as Benihanas at a fraction of the price! The juicy, savory chicken is extra tender thanks to my โvelvetingโ technique, the veggies are fresh, crisp tender and completely customizable, and the rice is buttery, umami fantastic with a kiss of toasted sesame oil. Marry the full-flavored trio together with creamy, tangy, slightly sweet and spicy Yum Yum Sauce and you can skip the takeout forever!
Japanese food is packed with flavor like this Chicken Hibachi, Chicken Yakisoba, Easy Ramen, Potstickers and Teriyaki Meatballs!
How to Make hibachi chicken recipe Video
What is Hibachi CHicken?
Hibachi, literally โfire bowl,โ is a traditional Japanese open-grate cast iron barbecue grill. In the U.S., however, hibachi, has become synonymous with hibachi or teppanyaki dining, like Benihanas. This involves dining around a sizzling hot electric flat iron grill while a chef cooks up a meal of chicken or seafood, fresh vegetables, and fried rice, complete with knife tricks – AKA dinner and a show!ย
Luckily for us, you donโt need your own hibachi or teppanyaki grill to make Chicken Hibachi at home. Instead, this Hibachi Chicken recipe is made with umami packed chicken, veggies and rice without the cost of ding out!ย Youโll just have to make your own fried rice heart and onion volcano 😉.
WHY YOUโLL LOVE Hibachi Chicken Recipe
Chicken HIBACHI Ingredients
There are quite a few elements in this Hibachi Chicken recipe. You can make the whole spread complete with the chicken, stir fried vegetables, fried rice and yum yum sauce, or just some of the elements. However, everything is made in the same skillet with many of the same ingredients, so youโll only dirty one pan! Hereโs what youโll need to make Chicken Hibachi (see printable recipe card at the end of the post for full measurements):
FOR THE CHICKEN:
FOR THE VEGETABLES:
You can use any vegetables you like, but traditional hibachi vegetables include:
For the Fried Rice
How to Make Hibachi Chicken
Get out a large skillet, crank up the stove, and get cooking! Letโs review the basic steps to preparing Chicken Hibachi at home (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
Don’t skip the Yum Yum Sauce!
Yum Yum Sauce is practically synonymous with Chicken Hibachi. Itโs famously served alongside hibachi chicken, shrimp, steak and vegetables at nearly every Japanese steak house โ so please donโt skip!ย Itโs a luxuriously creamy, sweet, tangy and as spicy-as-you-like pink-orange dipping sauce made of mayonnaise, ketchup,ย rice vinegar, sriracha, and seasonings such as garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.ย Itโs ridiculously easy to whip up in less than 10 minutes with pantry friendly ingredients and zero chopping!
How to Meal Prep Chicken Hibachi
I highly recommend prepping some of this recipe in advance or you can prepare the entire recipe as written to reheat later on:
ย
-Chop chicken: Chop the chicken and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.ย
-Make the chicken marinade: Whisk the ingredients together up to 24 hours in advance and store, covered in the refrigerator.ย Don’t add the chicken until 30 minutes before cooking.
-Chop veggies: Chop the garlic, grate the ginger and chop the veggies 24 hours in advance and store in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
-Cook rice: Make the rice up to 5 days in advance and store in the refrigerator.
-Make the Yum Yum Sauce: The sauce can be whisked together up to 7 days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
Homemade Hibachi Recipe Tips
How Do You Make Hibachi Chicken Tender?ย
This Chicken Hibachi recipe is not only unabashedly flavorful, but the chicken is wonderfully silky and juicy due to a simple restaurant secret called velveting. Essentially, the chicken is marinated in a combination of baking soda, soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch. Hereโs how it works:
Chicken Hibachi Recipe Variations
Make this Hibachi Chicken recipe your own with a different protein, veggies and more!
More Ingredient substitutions
- Chicken: Boneless chicken thighs can also be used.
- Vegetables: Use any veggies you like or have on hand.
- Garlic, onion and ginger: If you don’t have fresh aromatics on hand, or need to save time, use garlic and ginger paste or ground ginger, garlic and onion powder.
- Soy sauce: Use tamari for a gluten-free option.
What if Iโm allergic to shellfish?
If youโre allergic to shellfish/vegetarian, useย LEE KUM KEE Vegetarian Stir-Fry Sauceย instead of oyster sauce. You may also use soy sauce in a bind โ just donโt expect as spectacular of results
What goes with Chicken Hibachi
This Hibachi Chicken recipe is a meal in itself, but feel free to stretch it further with appetizers, soup and/or salad:
How to store Homemade Hibachi
How long is chicken hibachi good for?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I recommend storing the chicken, stir-fry veggies, and fried rice in separate containers.ย
Can I freeze Hibachi Chicken?
You can freeze the cooked Hibachi Chicken and the fried rice. I do not recommend freezing the stir-fry vegetables because they become soggy once frozen. Freeze the chicken and rice in separate freezer containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to use.ย
How do you reheat chicken hibachi?
-How to reheat on the stove: Heat a drizzle of oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Then, reheat the veggies and finally the rice.ย
-Reheating in the microwave: Take care not to overcook the chicken or it can become rubbery in the microwave. Microwave for 1 minute, then at 20-second intervals until warmed through.ย ย
Homemade Hibachi Chicken Recipe FAQs
Yes, marinating hibachi chicken enhances its taste, texture, and overall enjoyment. Firstly, it adds flavor to the chicken, infusing it with the savory, sweet, and tangy flavors of the marinade. Additionally, marinating helps tenderize the chicken, making it juicier and more succulent when cooked. Finally, marinating can also help create a delicious caramelized crust on the chicken when it’s cooked on a hot surface, adding texture and depth of flavor to the dish.
The main difference between hibachi and teriyaki is their cooking methods and flavor profiles. Hibachi involves grilling a variety of ingredients on a flat iron griddle with soy sauce and seasonings, often with a showy presentation. Teriyaki, on the other hand, features a single protein glazed with a sweet and savory sauce made from soy sauce, sugar, and mirin, then grilled or pan-fried for a sticky and caramelized finish. While both use similar ingredients, hibachi emphasizes grilling and a wider variety of ingredients, while teriyaki focuses on a specific sauce and glazing technique.
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Ingredients
Yum Yum Sauce
- 1 recipe Yum Yum Sauce <–click for recipe
Chicken Marinade
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon mirin/sweet Japanese rice wine or dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon sriracha
- 1 lb. chicken breasts, chopped into 1-inch pieces
For Cooking Chicken
- 1 1/2 tablespoons neutral oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon minced ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Stir Fried Vegetables
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (light olive, avocado, canola or vegetable)
- 1 carrot, thinly sliced
- 1 cup sliced or quartered cremini mushrooms
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced into 1-inch pieces
- 1 small yellow onion (or half large) sliced into 1-2-inch pieces
- 1 small zucchini, sliced ยฝ-inch thick, halved
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon minced ginger
- salt & pepper to taste
Fried rice sauce
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster Sauce
- 1 tablespoon mirin/sweet Japanese rice wine or dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- salt & pepper to taste
Fried rice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 tablespoon neutral oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups packed, cooked, day-old rice (see notes for fresh rice)
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 4 green onions, sliced
Instructions
Make Yum Yum Sauce
- Click HERE to see recipe. Whisk the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Yum Yum Sauce can be prepared up to 7 days ahead of time.
Marinate Chicken
- Whisk all of the Chicken Marinade ingredients together in a large bowl or freezer bag except the chicken. Add the chopped chicken and turn until evenly coated.
- Let sit at room temperature while you prep your veggies and fried rice sauce; preferable 30 minutes (no more).
Fried Rice Sauce
- Whisk the sauce ingredients together; set aside.
Cook Chicken
- Heat 1 ½ tablespoons neutral oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken in a single layer and cook until golden; flip chicken over and cook an additional 2 minutes, until browned on all sides.
- Add the butter, oyster sauce, ginger and garlic and stir fry 30 seconds, or until chicken is cooked through. Transfer to a plate along with any sauce/juices; wipe out skillet.
Cook Vegetables
- To the now empty pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add vegetables and stir fry for 4 minutes. Add soy sauce, garlic and ginger and stir fry an additional 1-2 minutes, or until vegetables are crisp-tender to your liking. Season with plenty of salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the pan.
Fried Rice
- To the now empty pan, melt 1 ½ tablespoons butter with ½ tablespoon oil over medium high heat. Add the garlic and sautรฉ for 30 seconds. Add the rice and sauce and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the rice is warmed through and the sauce is absorbed (I like to let the rice rest for a bit between stirs so that it can crisp up on the bottom).
- Push the rice to the outside perimeter of the pan to make a large hole/well in the center. Pour the whisked eggs into the center and scramble until the eggs are set. Add the green onions, then stir everthing together. Remove from heat.
Serve
- Serve chicken, rice and vegetables while warm with Yum Yum Sauce on the side.
Video
Notes
ingredient notes
- Sesame oil:ย ย Please useย toasted sesame oil. Toasted sesame oilย boasts a strong nutty aroma and flavor whereas light sesame oil is a low flavor oil.ย
- Oyster sauce: This is a game changer and will elevate your fried rice and all of your Asian cooking!ย ย You can find oyster sauce in the Asian aisle of any supermarket for only a few dollars.ย Please use QUALITY oyster sauce such asย Lee Kum Keeย or Kikkoman.ย You truly can taste the difference and will be sorely disappointed with less quality brands.
- Rice wine: This adds a complex sweetness and depth of flavor. I use โKikkoman Aji-Mirin: Sweet Cooking Rice Seasoningโ which is commonly found in the Asian section of most grocery stores or you can Amazon it. I highly suggest you google image before you head off to the grocery store so you know exactly what you are looking for. The best substitute for rice wine is pale dry sherry. Do NOT substitute rice wine with rice vinegar, they are NOT the same. Rice vinegar will add an acidic bite without the sweetness.
- Make it gluten free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce. Use gluten free oyster sauce like Kikkoman brand.
- Make it vegan: Swap the chicken for tofu.ย Place firm tofu in a pie plate. Top with a heavy plate and weigh it down with 2 heavy cans (to release water). Set aside for 10 minutes, then chop into 1-inch cubes before marinating. Skip the eggs, use vegan butter, and swap the oyster sauce for Lee Kum Kee Vegetarian Stir-Fry Sauce.
tips and tricks
- Use a nonstick skillet. The velveting on the chicken makes it prone to sticking, so you must use a nonstick skillet (this one is my favorite).
- Cold rice hack.ย You must use chilled, cooked rice, otherwise, your fried rice will be mushy and clump together. Two-day-old rice is ideal because it’s not only chilled but slightly dried out. However, if you can’t plan ahead, spread your freshly made rice on a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for 10-15 minutes until chilled (but not frozen).
- Use butter:ย Thereโs a reason why Japanese steak houses use a big slab of butter for making fried rice – it tastes WAY better than any oil you could use. It also makes the rice brown beautifully.
- Let the rice brown a bit on the bottom.ย If you like your rice a bit crispy, let it rest for a bit in between stirs so that it can brown a bit on the bottom.
- Don’t skip the Yum Yum Sauce. No Chicken Hibachi meal is complete without because itโs phenomenally YUMMY!ย It marries all of the ingredients and textures together and will be sorely missed if you skip it.
Prep Ahead
- Chicken: Chop the chicken and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. The marinade ingredients can also be whisked together up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the refrigerator WITHOUT the chicken.ย
- Chop veggies: Chop the garlic, grate the ginger and chop the veggies 24 hours in advance and store in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- Cook rice: Make the rice up to 5 days in advance and store in the refrigerator.
- Make the Yum Yum Sauce: The sauce can be whisked together up to 7 days ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
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Leave a Review, I Always Love Hearing From You!
Nicole says
Wow! Love this. And the Yum Yum sauce is way better than the stuff I have bought. Thank you for more great recipes you never disappoint!
Jen says
Thank you for being the first to review this recipe Nicole! I’m so pleased you loved it so much including the Yum Yum Sauce!
Lorraine says
I made this tonight. It was delicious! The yum yum sauce was great with the chicken. I had a lot of veggies and will have a lot of leftovers for the week. I really enjoy all your recipes
Jen says
Thanks for making my recipes Lorraine! I’m so pleased this was a winner!
Amanda says
Can I make the rice early morning and chill all day? Is that enough time??
Jen says
That should be fine. I would also stick it in the freezer for 5 minutes to dry it out.
John Lubeck says
This is very tasty. As mentioned the Yum Yum sauce should be made well in advance to allow the flavors to blend. Only one thing I would definitely do differently and that’s very easy. Use a large non-stick skillet for the chicken and preferably a Wok for the vegetables. They can easily be prepared at the same time and be done roughly together so both are hot and fresh out of the pans, just like you were a Teppanyaki restaurant. Definitely adding to the do again list with that improvement.
Jen says
Thanks, John! I am so happy it’s a repeat! Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Ellen says
I made this last night for a group of 10 to rave reviews. Lots of ingredients and prep/steps but the end result is fabulous! Thanks for an amazing recipe!
Jen says
You are so welcome, Ellen! Thank you for the awesome review, I am so happy to hear that the effort is worth it!
Brenda says
This was delicious, the chicken was crazy tender thanks to the baking soda , I made the rice in the morning and then put it in the freezer for 5 minutes. Hubby said he thought it was yum yum without the yum yum sauce , but the sauce was good too. Havenโt found a bad recipe yet from your site!
Jen says
I’m so glad it was good with and without the sauce! Thanks for giving this a try!
Casey Ferreira says
Do you think all of this could be made on the blackstone?
Jen says
Yes, I don’t see why not! I hope you enjoy!