Hibachi Chicken – This Japanese inspired savory chicken, soy sauce, garlic butter, and freshly cooked vegetables is the perfect dish for those busy weeknights.
What is Hibachi Chicken?
Hibachi chicken is a popular dish cooked on a high-heat flat-top grill, typically served at Japanese steakhouses. The term “hibachi” refers to the cooking style where meat, seafood, and vegetables are cooked on a metal plate over an open flame or electric heat. The flavors are simple yet umami-packed, with a perfect balance of soy sauce, garlic, and the luxurious richness of butter.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make hibachi chicken at home, you’ll need:
- Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Cut into bite-sized pieces. Thighs are juicier, while breasts are leaner.
- Soy Sauce: For that salty umami base.
- Garlic: Freshly minced to infuse bold flavor.
- Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty, toasty aroma.
- Butter: A staple in hibachi for richness.
- Vegetable Oil: High-smoke point oil to keep the flavors pure.
- Fresh Vegetables: Like zucchini, onions, and mushrooms for a classic side.
- Rice or Noodles: To complete your hibachi experience.
Optional:
- Yum Yum Sauce: A creamy, tangy dipping sauce often paired with hibachi meals.
- Ginger Sauce: For a lighter, more refreshing complement.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Hibachi Chicken
- Use High Heat: Hibachi cooking relies on high heat to sear the meat quickly and lock in juices. Make sure your pan or grill is hot before adding the chicken.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Cooking in batches ensures that your chicken browns instead of steams.
- Butter is Key: Don’t skimp on the butter. It adds richness and an authentic hibachi flavor.
- Season at the Right Time: Add salt and pepper right before cooking to avoid drawing out too much moisture from the chicken.
Variations to Try
- Hibachi Shrimp: Substitute chicken with shrimp, cooking just until they turn pink and opaque.
- Vegetarian Hibachi: Use tofu or extra veggies like bell peppers, broccoli, and snap peas.
- Spicy Hibachi Chicken: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes for a kick.
- Hibachi Noodles: Cook udon or lo mein noodles in the same skillet, tossing them with soy sauce, butter, and veggies.
How to Serve Hibachi Chicken
- Classic Pairing: Serve hibachi chicken over steamed white rice or fried rice, garnished with chopped green onions and a side of sautéed vegetables.
- Yum Yum Sauce: This pink, mayo-based sauce is a must-have for dipping. Make it by combining mayonnaise, ketchup, rice vinegar, garlic powder, and a pinch of sugar.
- Fresh Ginger Sauce: For a zesty kick, blend fresh ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a touch of brown sugar.
How to Store and Reheat Hibachi Chicken
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Hibachi chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months. Place in freezer-safe bags, and squeeze out excess air to prevent freezer burn.
- Reheat: For best results, reheat on a stovetop over medium heat with a splash of water or broth to keep the chicken moist. Avoid microwaving, as it can dry out the meat.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I make hibachi chicken without a flat-top grill?
Absolutely! A large cast-iron skillet or a heavy-bottomed pan works perfectly for achieving that sear.
2. What’s the best chicken cut for hibachi?
Chicken thighs are juicier, but chicken breasts work well if you prefer a leaner option. Just be mindful not to overcook the breasts.
3. Can I prepare hibachi chicken in advance?
Yes! You can marinate the chicken ahead of time and keep it refrigerated. The cooked chicken can be stored and reheated for meal prep.
4. What if I don’t have sesame oil?
You can skip it or use toasted sesame seeds for a similar flavor. Alternatively, peanut oil works well.
Hibachi Chicken
Hibachi Chicken - This Japanese inspired savory chicken, soy sauce, garlic butter, and freshly cooked vegetables is the perfect dish for those busy weeknights.
Ingredients
For the Hibachi Chicken:
- 1 lb chicken breasts: Diced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp fresh ginger: Minced for a zesty kick
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce: For rich flavor
- 1 tbsp sesame oil: Nutty aroma
- 2 tbsp soy sauce: Essential umami
- 4 cloves garlic: Minced and aromatic
For the Mustard Sauce:
- 1/2 cup light mayo
- 1 tbsp dijon mustard: Tangy and bold
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar: Balances the flavors
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
For the Sautéed Vegetables:
- 1 yellow onion: Chopped
- 1 zucchini: Chopped
- 1 carrot: Thinly sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms: Sliced in half
- 1 tbsp olive oil: For sautéing
- 1 tbsp soy sauce + salt & pepper
For the Fried Rice:
- 2 cups cooked white rice: Preferably a day old
- 4 cloves garlic: Minced
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp butter: Richness galore
- 3 tbsp soy sauce: Savory goodness
- 4 green onions: Sliced for a fresh finish
Instructions
- Marinate and Cook the Chicken: In a bowl, mix together the ginger, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, soy sauce, and garlic. Pour over diced chicken, then cook everything in a large skillet over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes, stirring until the chicken is perfectly cooked. Set aside and clean the pan.
- Prep the Rice: While the chicken is cooking, make your rice on the stovetop or use pre-cooked rice from up to two days ago. Mix up your mustard sauce for dipping at the same time.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in the skillet, toss in the onion, zucchini, carrots, and mushrooms, then season with soy sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook for around 5 minutes until tender-crisp, then set aside.
- Make the Fried Rice: In the same pan, melt butter and briefly sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add rice and soy sauce, stir-frying for about 5 minutes. Push the rice aside, scramble the egg in the center, then mix everything together. Fold in green onions, then remove from heat.
- Plate and Serve: Arrange the chicken, rice, and sautéed vegetables on a plate. Serve with your mustard sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy your flavorful hibachi feast!
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 389Total Fat 24gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 16gCholesterol 158mgSodium 1118mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 3gSugar 3gProtein 31g
All Chicken Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Hibachi chicken is a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make at home with just a few pantry staples and some fresh ingredients. With this guide, you’re ready to recreate that sizzling, flavorful experience and impress friends and family with your culinary skills. Enjoy the tastes of a Japanese steakhouse, right from your kitchen!
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