Short Description
This Hibachi Chicken & Rice Skillet Meal brings the bold flavors of Japanese-style hibachi cooking to your home. Marinated chicken thighs are seared to perfection, then simmered with seasoned rice for a one-pan meal that’s both easy and delicious. Serve it with a drizzle of Yum Yum sauce for an extra layer of flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
One-pan meal—easy cleanup and minimal effort.
Flavorful and tender chicken thanks to the marinade.
Perfectly seasoned rice cooked in a savory broth.
Customizable with vegetables or additional seasonings.
Great for meal prep and reheats beautifully.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Low-sodium soy sauce
Pepper
Garlic powder
Ground ginger powder
Vegetable oil
Onion, sliced
Minced garlic
Chicken broth
Extra-long grain white rice
Yum Yum sauce (optional)
Directions
1. Marinate the Chicken
In a zip-top bag, combine soy sauce, pepper, garlic powder, and ginger.
Add the chicken thighs, seal the bag, and refrigerate for 1-6 hours.
2. Cook the Chicken
Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Save the marinade for later.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté the Aromatics
In the same skillet, add sliced onions and cook for 3 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Cook the Rice
Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet to deglaze the pan. Cook for 5 minutes until the marinade reduces by half.
Add chicken broth and rice, then bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. Stir with a fork to prevent sticking.
5. Finish Cooking
Arrange the cooked chicken over the rice, cover, and continue cooking on low for 10-15 minutes until the rice is fully cooked.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Drizzle Yum Yum sauce over the chicken and garnish with chopped chives or scallions if desired.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 4-6
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Marinating Time: 1-6 hours
Cooking Time: 35-40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (including minimum marinating time)
Variations
Spicy Version: Add a teaspoon of sriracha or red pepper flakes to the marinade.
Vegetable Add-Ins: Stir in chopped bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms with the onions.
Teriyaki Glaze: Replace half of the soy sauce with teriyaki sauce for a sweeter flavor.
Low-Carb Option: Swap white rice for cauliflower rice (cook separately).
Chicken Breast Alternative: Use chicken breasts instead of thighs but reduce cooking time slightly to prevent dryness.
Storage/Reheating
Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Freeze in portioned containers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Warm in a skillet over low heat with a splash of chicken broth, or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, but they may cook faster, so reduce the cooking time slightly to prevent dryness.
What is Yum Yum sauce?
It’s a creamy, slightly sweet and tangy sauce often served with hibachi meals. You can buy it pre-made or make your own with mayo, ketchup, sugar, vinegar, and seasonings.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but brown rice takes longer to cook, so increase the simmering time and add more broth as needed.
How do I prevent the rice from sticking to the pan?
Stir the rice occasionally and make sure there’s enough liquid in the skillet. Using a nonstick pan can also help.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can marinate the chicken overnight and cook everything fresh when ready. The dish also reheats well for meal prep.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Use gluten-free soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
Can I use a different protein?
Yes, shrimp, beef, or tofu can be used instead of chicken, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
Can I cook this in an Instant Pot?
Yes, sauté the chicken first, then cook everything on high pressure for 6 minutes with a 10-minute natural release.
Can I add eggs like in fried rice?
Yes, scramble an egg separately and stir it into the rice before serving.
What sides go well with this dish?
A simple side salad, stir-fried vegetables, or miso soup pair perfectly with this meal.
Conclusion
This Hibachi Chicken & Rice Skillet Meal is a flavorful, one-pan dish that’s easy to prepare and packed with savory goodness. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or meal prepping for the week, this dish is a delicious and satisfying option. Enjoy it with a drizzle of Yum Yum sauce and your favorite garnishes for the ultimate homemade hibachi experience!
Hibachi Chicken & Rice Skillet Meal
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes (plus marinating)
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Japanese-Inspired
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (2 lbs)
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger powder
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Rice & Aromatics:
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups extra-long grain white rice
For Serving (Optional):
- 1/4 cup Yum Yum sauce
- Chopped chives or scallions (for garnish)
Instructions
1️⃣ Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, pepper, garlic powder, and ginger powder.
- Place chicken thighs in a zip-top bag and pour in the marinade.
- Refrigerate for 1-6 hours for maximum flavor.
2️⃣ Prepare the Chicken:
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels (this helps with even browning). Keep the reserved marinade for later.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add vegetable oil.
- Sear the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until nicely browned. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3️⃣ Sauté the Aromatics:
- In the same skillet, add onions and sauté for 3 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
4️⃣ Deglaze & Cook the Rice:
- Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet to deglaze the pan.
- Cook for 5 minutes, allowing the marinade to reduce by half.
- Add chicken broth and rice, then bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
- Stir with a fork, making sure the rice isn’t sticking to the bottom.
5️⃣ Finish Cooking:
- Arrange the chicken thighs on top of the rice.
- Cover and cook on low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and tender.
6️⃣ Serve & Enjoy:
- Drizzle with Yum Yum sauce and garnish with chopped chives or scallions.
- Serve hot and enjoy a hibachi-style feast at home!
Notes
For a lighter option, use chicken breasts instead of thighs.
Swap out white rice for brown rice, but increase cooking time by about 10 minutes.
Add a mix of bell peppers, carrots, or zucchini for extra color and flavor.
Serve with steamed broccoli or a side of hibachi-style veggies for a complete meal.
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