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This Japanese hibachi chicken is a real takeout-at-home experience with juicy chicken bites crisp-tender vegetables and savory fried rice all finished with a creamy yum yum sauce that makes every bite sing. On busy Tuesdays I make this for dinner prep the leftovers into lunch containers and everyone is happy—it is that weeknight magic.
My first time making this I worried it would be fussy but even my pickiest eater dug in and asked for seconds after swirling everything through the yum yum sauce.
Ingredients
- Mayonnaise: brings creaminess to the sauce choose a full-fat and rich mayo for best results
- Ketchup: gives sweet tang in the yum yum sauce go with a good-quality tomato ketchup
- Sriracha: packs a gentle heat for the sauce you can adjust the amount for your spice preference
- Paprika: provides subtle smokiness and a pop of color use a fresh paprika for brightness
- Mirin: lends a mild sweetness to both sauce and chicken find a good Japanese brand for clean taste
- Garlic powder: adds a quick mellow garlic flavor to the sauce
- Olive oil and butter: ensure vegetables get flavorful browning and keep chicken moist pick a fresh block of real butter if possible
- Chicken thighs: provide juicy bites and richer flavor over breast look for boneless skinless thighs with good marbling
- Salt and pepper: let you dial the savoriness to your taste freshly cracked is ideal
- Soy sauce: brings umami depth low sodium is best if you want to control salt
- Hoisin sauce: layers in sweetness and complexity for the chicken choose a thick glossy hoisin
- Minced garlic: offers punchy flavor especially in the rice and for the chicken fresh is best
- Honey: balances the salt with gentle sweetness in the chicken use a runny honey for easy drizzling
- Onions, mushrooms, zucchini: the veggie trio for color and texture look for vibrant firm produce
- Eggs: fluff up the fried rice go for free-range or local for boldest yolk color
- Cooked rice: forms the base for fried rice day-old rice works well for stir fry
- Oyster sauce: adds savoriness to the rice select one with clean ingredient list
- Frozen peas: brighten and sweeten the rice choose petite peas for tenderness
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the Yum Yum Sauce:
- Combine mayonnaise ketchup sriracha paprika mirin and garlic powder in a bowl Stir thoroughly until fully mixed Cover and refrigerate to let flavors meld until you are ready to serve
- Cook the Hibachi Chicken:
- Heat olive oil and melt butter in a wok or Dutch oven over high heat Wait until the butter foams and the oil shimmers before adding chicken Add diced chicken to the hot pan Spread pieces in a single layer Season with salt and pepper Let the chicken cook undisturbed for two minutes for a good sear then stir Allow to cook until the pink is gone and the pieces are lightly browned about five to six minutes Pour in soy sauce hoisin sauce mirin minced garlic and honey Continue to cook stirring constantly Coat all the chicken and allow the sauce to thicken to your liking usually two to three minutes Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside
- Sauté the Vegetables:
- In the same pan melt olive oil and butter together over medium-high heat Add sliced onions quartered mushrooms and zucchini Stir fry vigorously for one minute Scoop and toss to prevent sticking Add soy sauce Keep stir frying until onions turn translucent mushrooms soften and zucchini has a bit of char but still slight crunch It usually takes four or five minutes Vegetables should look glossy and vibrant
- Cook Hibachi Fried Rice:
- Melt butter in a clean wok or large skillet over high heat Once bubbling add minced garlic Sauté quickly for about thirty seconds until the garlic is fragrant and just turning golden Add cooked rice gently breaking up clumps Stir rice with garlic until heated through usually two to three minutes Drizzle in soy sauce and oyster sauce Stir to coat every grain so rice becomes evenly seasoned Make a large well in the center of the rice Crack eggs directly into the well Start scrambling eggs with a spatula staying in the center Once almost set stir everything together mixing eggs evenly into rice Toss in frozen peas Stir until peas are hot and vibrant Cover pot briefly if needed so they thoroughly heat through
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My favorite piece is always the chicken because it gets those salty sticky edges and every time I cook this my youngest daughter sneaks a bite straight from the pan insisting it needs extra yum yum sauce before dinner hits the table
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in airtight meal prep containers separating sauce if possible for up to four days Refrigerate promptly Do not freeze as the creamy sauce and veggies can become watery when thawed Warm up in the microwave or a hot skillet for best texture and flavor
Ingredient Substitutions
If you want a lighter meal swap chicken thighs for chicken breast Try tofu or shrimp for a different protein You can sub out mushrooms and zucchini for whatever veggies you have on hand like broccoli or carrots For gluten free use tamari instead of soy sauce and make sure your hoisin and oyster sauces are gluten free certified
Serving Suggestions
Pile everything onto one platter for a family-style meal Drizzle or serve yum yum sauce generously on the side For a lighter lunch serve over greens or in lettuce wraps Garnish with sliced scallions sesame seeds or hot sauce if you want a little kick
Cultural Context
Hibachi style cooking in Japan actually refers to grilling over charcoal though in American Japanese steakhouses hibachi usually means high-heat stir frying and crisp searing often in front of guests This dish takes that restaurant experience and translates it for your own home mixing that signature salty sweet flavor and interactive feel
Frequently Asked Questions About Recipes
- → What type of chicken works best?
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are ideal for their tenderness and rich flavor, but chicken breast can also be substituted if you prefer a leaner option.
- → Can the fried rice be prepared in advance?
Yes, using day-old rice helps achieve the best texture for fried rice, preventing it from becoming mushy during stir-frying.
- → How do I make the chicken extra flavorful?
Allow the chicken to brown slightly in a hot pan before adding sauces, and let the sauce thicken to coat the meat for an extra boost of flavor.
- → What vegetables can I add?
Classic additions include onions, mushrooms, and zucchini, but you can also include bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli depending on preference.
- → Is homemade Yum Yum sauce necessary?
Yum Yum sauce adds a creamy, tangy finish that complements the savory flavors, but the dish is enjoyable even without it.