Benihana Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Benihana chicken fried rice recipe​ made with fresh ingredients is a delicious and simple dish that can be easily replicated in the comfort of your home! This recipe is perfect for anyone wanting all of the flavours of hibachi but with the option to customize it in terms of the ingredients you use and controlling how seasoned it gets, whether you’re making it for a family dinner or a fast weeknight meal. But with proper techniques and some healthy alternatives, you can have a homemade version that is both delicious and wholesome.

Origins of Benihana Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

The popular Japanese steakhouse chain Benihana has been offering hibachi-style fare since opening its doors in 1964. Benihana: The U.S. standard for Japanese hibachi dining is Benihana, which is known for its theatrical cooking style, in which chefs prepare meals directly in front of guests.

Their signature dish, for example, is fried rice — it usually contains seasoned rice stir-fried in a wok with vegetables and egg along with whatever protein like chicken, shrimp or steak. A flavour bomb that the hibachi chefs playfully exclaim after tossing with excellence in chef skill. Though the dish originated in Japanese cuisine, over the years, it has developed into a comfort food treasure for many Americans.

Why Homemade is the Perfect Idea for Benihana Chicken Fried Rice

Benihana Chicken Fried Rice Recipe packed with the rich, savoury flavours of hibachi dining could be made at home. One of the reasons homemade fried rice is such a lovely dish is because you can control what you put in it, depending on what your tastes are. You can add more vegetables, cut back on the soy sauce, or even boost the protein content — it tastes good.

Besides, it is much better to use fresh ingredients and cook it yourself than depending on takeout or restaurant rice portions because you will always have your rice right. A batch also works for a family dinner or some leftovers for the day after. Fried rice is one of those dishes that tastes nicer homemade than when eating out, so not only is it cheaper but ultimately healthier, too.

Keys for a Perfect Benihana Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Here are the essential things to keep in mind when making Benihana-style chicken fried rice at home:

• Use day-old rice: Freshly prepared rice would become too soft and stick after stir-frying. Leftover rice that was cooked a day before is best, as it is pretty dry and easy to fry up, which helps to give it a better texture.
• High heat: Imparting that classic wok-seared flavour requires high heat, which creates crispy bits of rice (known as “wok hei”). That is key to getting that “hibachi” style.
• Mise en Place means “everything in its place,” so have your ingredients prepped before you start cooking. This makes cooking much faster, and every ingredient is cooked perfectly.
• Refrain from crowding the pan: Ensure you do not put only a few things in simultaneouslya time. This can bring down the temperature of your pan, yielding a less crispy crust. HINT: If making a big batch, cook the rice in batches.
• Seasoning: Soy sauce, sesame oil and garlic must be perfectly harmonious to achieve umami goodness. Try to keep your mouth watering as you taste, but remember to omit some salt if you use soy sauce.

Health Benefits of Benihana Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Although fried rice is often viewed as a comfort food, it can be a surprisingly healthy dish when made with the right ingredients. Here are some of the health benefits of Benihana-style chicken fried rice:

Fried rice from homemade helps incorporate more nutritious veggies and regulate the fat and sodium content. The meal is nice and balanced, with the option to customize it by making a low-calorie, high-protein chicken or plant-based meal if you ditch the chicken for some tofu.

Benihana Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Enjoy the flavor of Benihana’s iconic chicken fried rice at home! This hibachi-inspired dish features tender chicken, fresh vegetables, scrambled eggs, and seasoned rice, all cooked together for a deliciously savory meal.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Japanese

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

• Large skillet or wok
• Spatula or wooden spoon
• Knife and cutting board
• Mixing bowl (for the beaten eggs)
• Measuring spoons
• Spoon for scooping rice

Ingredients

  

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil divided
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into small cubes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 cups cooked white rice preferably day-old rice
• 1/2 cup onion finely chopped
• 1/2 cup carrots diced
• 1/2 cup peas frozen or fresh
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce low-sodium recommended
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tablespoons green onions sliced (for garnish)
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or onion powder

Instructions

 

Prepare Rice:

• For just cooked rice, spread the rice on a baking tray to cool down and dry. First, use rice a day or two old, as it has a firm texture.

Cook Chicken:

• Heat one tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or wok.
• Sprinkle salt and pepper all over the chicken. Place chicken into pan and, stirring regularly, cook for approximately 5–7 minutes or until very well browned & cooked through. Take the chicken out of your pan and set it aside.

Cook Vegetables:

• Heat the other tablespoon of vegetable oil using the same pan.
• Mix in the diced onion, carrots and peas. Sauté for 3-4 min until the veggies soften, stirring occasionally.

Scramble Eggs:

• Scoop the veggies over to the side of your pan. Pour the eggs into empty spaces.
• Beat the eggs together and leave to cook for 1-2 minutes until completely set.

Combine Rice and Chicken:

• Please put in the cooled rice, breaking up clumps with your fingers so they fall into the pan. Mix everything in with the veggies & eggs.
• Return the chicken to the pan.

Season the Rice:

• Pour in the soy sauce, sesame oil and diced garlic. Mix well to coat the rice. Stir for another 2-3 minutes to allow the flavours to mingle.

Garnish and Serve:

• Taste and add more soy sauce, salt or pepper to taste if desired.
• Top with sliced green onion and serve warm.

Notes

Nutrition Information (per serving, based on 4 servings):

• Calories: 350 kcal
• Carbs: 40g
• Protein: 28g
• Fat: 10g
• Sodium: 700mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Servings: 4

 

Keyword Chicken Fried Rice, Hibachi Style Rice, Japanese Cuisine, Japanese Fried Rice

Tips For better Benihana Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

• Use Day-Old Rice: Day-old rice is drier, and frying it gives it a better texture.
• Pike, Pike & In Excess: Wok on medium-high/high warmth to impart that crispy, wok-seared flavour.
• Avoid Overcrowding the Pan: Make sure you cook in batches; this allows the rice to fry instead of steam.
• Use Wok Or Large Skillet:  A wok or skillet helps to provide an excellent even heat for cooked fried rice.
• Pre-prep All Ingredients Firstly: Chop everything, all of your spices and herbs or whatever your recipe has, before you start cooking to ensure a smoother, faster cooking process.

• Opt for Fresh Garlic if you want an Extra Flavor:  If you like it with a more robust and aromatic flavour, go with the fresh minced garlic because it gives way more robust and much more aroma than powder.
• Sesame Oil:  A few dashes of sesame oil allow for a much-needed nutty flavour to the rice.
• Separate The Scramble: Ensure your scrambled egg game is on point by cooking them separately and maintaining their fluffiness.
• Soy Sauce: Adjust soy sauce to your taste, or use tamari for a gluten-free option
• Top with Fresh Green Onions: The bright green colour, crunch, and mild onion flavour lend themselves as a garnish.

References

Rice 101: Nutrition facts and health effects

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