How Do You Cook Hibachi Chicken Rice at Benihana?

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Hibachi chicken fried rice with vegetables on a plate
Hibachi chicken fried rice with vegetables on a plate

Introduction

Benihana’s hibachi chicken fried rice is a crowd-pleaser, and if you’ve ever wondered how to cook hibachi chicken rice at Benihana, this guide is for you! Known for its buttery richness and smoky aroma, this dish is a must-try. Watching it prepared on a sizzling hibachi grill is an experience in itself, but you don’t need a teppanyaki grill to recreate this iconic dish at home.

This guide will show you exactly how to cook hibachi chicken rice at Benihana, complete with the key ingredients, techniques, and tips that make it so flavorful. Whether you’re a hibachi fan or just love fried rice, this recipe will bring the magic of Benihana to your own kitchen.

Ingredients for Hibachi Chicken Fried Rice

Key Ingredients Used at Benihana

To replicate Benihana’s signature flavor, you’ll need the following:

  1. Cooked and Chilled White Rice: 4 cups of day-old rice for the perfect texture.
  2. Chicken Breast: 1 large, diced into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Garlic Butter: 3 tablespoons, for richness and that iconic hibachi flavor.
  4. Soy Sauce: 2-3 tablespoons, for a savory umami kick.
  5. Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons, for frying the rice and chicken.
  6. Eggs: 2 large, scrambled and incorporated into the rice.
  7. Frozen Vegetables: 1 cup of peas and carrots, thawed.
  8. Salt and Pepper: To taste, for seasoning.
  9. Green Onions: 2, chopped, for garnish.

Substitutions and Add-Ons

  • Substitutions:
    • Use shrimp or tofu instead of chicken for a variation.
    • Swap vegetable oil for sesame oil for a nuttier flavor.
  • Add-Ons:
    • Drizzle a bit of teriyaki sauce for a sweet-savory twist.
    • Add a splash of mirin for a hint of sweetness.

Essential Tools for Hibachi Chicken Rice

To recreate the magic of Benihana’s hibachi chicken rice at home, having the right tools is essential. While you don’t need a full hibachi grill, the following equipment will help you achieve similar results in your own kitchen.

1. Large Skillet or Wok

  • Why You Need It: A large skillet or wok provides the wide surface area needed to stir-fry ingredients evenly, mimicking the effect of a hibachi grill.
  • Pro Tip: Cast-iron skillets work well for retaining high heat, while nonstick pans make cleanup easier.

2. Sharp Knife

  • Why You Need It: Precision is key for dicing chicken and chopping vegetables into uniform sizes, ensuring even cooking.

3. Cutting Board

  • Why You Need It: A sturdy cutting board is essential for prepping chicken, vegetables, and green onions.

4. Spatula or Wooden Spoon

  • Why You Need It: These tools are perfect for tossing and mixing the rice without breaking the grains.

5. Rice Cooker (Optional)

  • Why You Need It: While not mandatory, a rice cooker ensures perfectly cooked rice every time, especially if you’re starting from scratch.

6. Mixing Bowls

  • Why You Need It: Use separate bowls to hold prepped ingredients like thawed vegetables, scrambled eggs, and diced chicken, making the cooking process smoother.

7. Parchment Paper or Airtight Container

  • Why You Need It: If cooking fresh rice, chill it on a tray lined with parchment paper or store it in an airtight container to dry out before frying.

Tips for Best Results

  1. Preheat Your Skillet: Always heat your skillet or wok thoroughly before adding ingredients to achieve the signature smoky flavor.
  2. Keep Ingredients Handy: Fried rice cooks quickly, so have everything prepped and within reach.

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Hibachi Chicken Rice

Recreating Benihana’s hibachi chicken rice at home is easier than you think! Follow these simple steps to achieve the buttery, savory flavors that make this dish so iconic.

1: Preparing the Ingredients

  1. Cook and Chill the Rice
    • To learn how to cook hibachi chicken rice at Benihana at home, start with day-old rice. Its dry texture ensures perfect frying without clumping. If cooking fresh rice, spread it on a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to remove excess moisture.
  2. Dice the Chicken
    • Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Thaw and Prep Vegetables
    • Thaw 1 cup of frozen peas and carrots, and chop 2 green onions for garnish.
  4. Make the Garlic Butter
    • Mix 2 tablespoons of softened butter with 1 minced garlic clove. Set aside.

2: Cooking the Chicken

  1. Heat the Skillet or Wok
    • Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
  2. Cook the Chicken
    • Add the diced chicken to the skillet and stir-fry for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

3: Making the Fried Rice

  1. Scramble the Eggs
    • Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet. Pour in 2 lightly beaten eggs and stir gently to scramble them. Once cooked, push the eggs to one side of the skillet.
  2. Add the Rice
    • Add the chilled rice to the skillet, spreading it evenly. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, breaking up any clumps.
  3. Incorporate Soy Sauce and Garlic Butter
    • Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of soy sauce over the rice and add the garlic butter. Stir well to coat the rice evenly with flavor.

4: Combine Everything

  1. Mix in Vegetables and Chicken
    • Add the cooked chicken and thawed peas and carrots to the skillet. Toss everything together and stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.
  2. Finish with Green Onions
    • Sprinkle chopped green onions over the fried rice and stir once more.

5: Serve and Enjoy

  1. Taste and Adjust Seasoning
    • Taste the rice and add more soy sauce, salt, or pepper if needed.
  2. Plate the Dish
    • Serve your hibachi chicken rice hot, paired with your favorite Japanese-inspired sides or as a standalone meal.

Tips for Authentic Benihana Flavor

Recreating the rich, smoky flavor of Benihana’s hibachi chicken rice at home requires a few tricks. These tips will help you achieve that iconic restaurant-quality taste.

1. Use Garlic Butter

  • Why It Matters: If you’re figuring out how to cook hibachi chicken rice at Benihana, the key is garlic butter. It’s the secret to their rich and savory flavor. It adds depth and enhances the umami of the soy sauce and rice.
  • Pro Tip: Mix softened butter with minced garlic and a pinch of salt. Use it at the end of cooking for the best flavor.

2. Cook Over High Heat

  • Why It Matters: High heat mimics the teppanyaki grill used at Benihana, giving the rice a smoky aroma and preventing it from steaming.
  • Pro Tip: Preheat your skillet or wok for a few minutes before adding ingredients.

3. Don’t Overload the Pan

  • Why It Matters: Overcrowding lowers the temperature of the skillet, leading to soggy rice instead of the dry, fried texture you want.
  • Pro Tip: If cooking a large batch, fry the rice in smaller portions.

4. Use Day-Old Rice

  • Why It Matters: Freshly cooked rice is too moist and clumps easily, while day-old rice is dry and separates well during stir-frying.
  • Pro Tip: If you don’t have day-old rice, cook fresh rice, spread it on a baking sheet, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

5. Add Soy Sauce Gradually

  • Why It Matters: Adding too much soy sauce at once can overpower the dish and make it too salty.
  • Pro Tip: Start with 2 tablespoons, taste, and add more as needed to suit your preference.

6. Incorporate Sesame Oil (Optional)

  • Why It Matters: While not a staple in every hibachi recipe, sesame oil adds a nutty aroma and enhances the dish’s flavor.
  • Pro Tip: Add a small drizzle of sesame oil near the end of cooking for a subtle flavor boost.

7. Garnish with Green Onions

  • Why It Matters: Green onions add a fresh, aromatic note that complements the richness of the dish.
  • Pro Tip: Sprinkle chopped green onions as a final touch before serving.

Pro Tips for Perfect Hibachi Chicken Rice

  1. Use Day-Old Rice: Day-old rice works best for fried rice as it prevents clumping. For flavorful rice, try cooking it with Chicken Broth in a Rice Cooker before frying.
  2. Season to Taste: Adjust the soy sauce and butter quantities to suit your taste preferences. For a creamy addition, pair this dish with Grilled Chicken Alfredo.

Serving Suggestions

  • As a Complete Meal: This dish pairs well with Edamame Egg Salad for a refreshing side.
  • As Part of a Spread: Add this fried rice to a hibachi-themed dinner with Crab Brulee Recipe for an elegant menu.
  • For Dessert: End your meal with Ninja Creami Recipes for a delicious frozen treat.

FAQs About Cooking Hibachi Chicken Rice at Benihana

1. How do you cook hibachi chicken rice at Benihana?

At Benihana, hibachi chicken rice is cooked on a flat-top teppanyaki grill to achieve its smoky flavor and golden texture. The process includes:

  • Cooking Chicken First: Bite-sized chicken pieces are stir-fried with garlic butter and seasoned with salt and pepper.
  • Frying Rice: Day-old rice is added to the grill and stir-fried with soy sauce, garlic butter, and scrambled eggs.
  • Adding Vegetables: Thawed peas, carrots, and green onions are added to the rice for sweetness and color.
  • Finishing Touch: Garlic butter is added at the end for extra richness.

This guide shows you how to replicate the same process in a skillet or wok at home.

2. What type of rice does Benihana use?

Benihana uses short-grain or medium-grain white rice. These types of rice are slightly sticky, making them ideal for fried rice. Brands like Nishiki or Calrose are great choices to recreate the texture and flavor at home.

3. What oil does Benihana use?

Benihana typically uses a combination of vegetable oil for frying and garlic butter for flavor. The vegetable oil has a high smoke point, making it suitable for high-heat cooking, while the garlic butter adds richness and aroma.

4. What is the secret ingredient in hibachi chicken rice?

The secret ingredient is garlic butter, a blend of softened butter, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt. This ingredient is added during and after cooking to give the rice its signature rich, buttery flavor.

Conclusion: Master the Art of Benihana-Style Hibachi Rice

Now you know how to cook hibachi chicken rice just like Benihana! This flavorful, buttery fried rice can be made right in your own kitchen, delivering the same savory taste and aroma of the restaurant’s iconic dish. With simple ingredients like garlic butter, soy sauce, and day-old rice, you can recreate the smoky, teppanyaki-style magic using a skillet or wok.

Whether you serve it as a main dish or a side, this recipe is sure to impress your family and friends. Plus, with the tips and FAQs provided, you’re equipped to achieve that authentic Benihana flavor every time. So fire up your skillet, grab your ingredients, and bring the hibachi experience to your table. Enjoy!

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