Hibachi Chicken Recipe (Restaurant Style at Home)

Have you ever watched a hibachi chef cook sizzling chicken and thought, “I wish I could make that at home”? I remember thinking the same thing after my first taste of hibachi chicken recipe. The buttery garlic flavor and juicy texture completely won me over.

After a few tries, I discovered how simple it is to recreate that restaurant-style taste right in my own kitchen. Now it’s one of my favorite quick dinners, and I’m excited to show you how you can make hibachi chicken at home too.

What Is Hibachi Chicken?

Hibachi chicken is a classic Japanese-style dish made by cooking small pieces of chicken quickly over high heat. Traditionally, it’s prepared on a flat iron grill, where the meat sizzles beside veggies, rice, and noodles while the chef puts on a show.

At its heart, hibachi chicken is all about simplicity. Fresh chicken is seared with butter, garlic, soy sauce, and a hint of mirin or teriyaki to create a savory, caramelized glaze. The flavor is bold yet comforting, perfectly balanced between salty, buttery, and slightly sweet.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a professional grill. A cast-iron skillet or wok at home works just as well. What matters most is high heat and quick cooking to lock in that smoky, restaurant-style flavor.

If you’ve ever enjoyed the hibachi experience at restaurants like Benihana or Kobe, this homemade version will bring that same excitement to your table. It’s fast, fun, and unbelievably delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make restaurant-style hibachi chicken at home, you will need a few simple ingredients. Each one adds flavor and helps recreate that signature hibachi taste.

Ingredients for hibachi chicken recipe displayed in prep bowls including chicken, butter, garlic, soy sauce, and teriyaki

For the Chicken:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces for quick, even cooking
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter to sear and add rich flavor
  • 1 teaspoon fresh garlic, finely minced for a fragrant, savory taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil, optional, for a subtle nutty finish

For the Sauce:

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, use low-sodium if preferred
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce or mirin to add sweetness and depth
  • Black pepper, to taste

How to Make Hibachi Chicken

Prep Tip: Have all your ingredients measured and ready. Stir-frying is fast, and prepping in advance ensures your chicken cooks evenly and the sauce caramelizes perfectly.

Step 1: Prepare the Sauce
In a small bowl, mix together the soy sauce and teriyaki sauce or mirin. Stir until well combined and set aside. This will be poured over the chicken later to create that signature savory glaze.

Mixing soy sauce and teriyaki sauce in a small bowl to prepare the hibachi chicken recipe sauce base

Step 2: Heat the Pan and Melt Butter
Place a skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt completely. Once melted, add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn it, as burnt garlic can taste bitter.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the pan. Toss them gently to coat in the butter and garlic. Spread the chicken in a single layer if possible so each piece sears evenly. Cooking the chicken at high heat quickly locks in the juices for tender, flavorful bites.

Step-by-step cooking of hibachi chicken recipe with chicken sizzling in butter and garlic, coated in soy and teriyaki sauce

Step 4: Add the Sauce
Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken. Stir continuously to coat each piece evenly. You should notice the sauce thickening slightly as it heats, creating a glossy, caramelized finish.

Step 5: Stir-Fry Until Perfectly Seared
Continue cooking for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Watch for the chicken to develop a light golden-brown sear and for the sauce to reduce just enough to cling to each piece. The chicken should be fully cooked inside, tender, and coated in the flavorful sauce.

Step 6: Finish with Sesame Oil
Turn off the heat and drizzle a small amount of sesame oil over the chicken if desired. This adds a delicate nutty aroma and extra depth of flavor.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Plate the hibachi chicken hot alongside hibachi rice, noodles, or vegetables. For an authentic touch, sprinkle with sesame seeds or chopped green onions. Take a moment to admire the glossy, restaurant-style finish before digging in.

Plated hibachi chicken recipe served with hibachi rice and vegetables, topped with sesame seeds and green onions for an authentic look

If you enjoy flavorful chicken dishes like this hibachi chicken recipe, you’ll also love my Mediterranean Chicken Marinade. It’s packed with olive oil, herbs, and zesty lemon for a bright, healthy twist that’s perfect for grilling or meal prep.

Serving Suggestions and Yum Yum Sauce

Hibachi chicken tastes amazing on its own, but pairing it with the right sides takes it to restaurant-quality levels. Serve it with:

  • Hibachi rice for a buttery, flavorful base
  • Stir-fried noodles for a comforting, savory side
  • Sautéed vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, and onions for crunch and color

For the classic finish, top your chicken with yum yum sauce, a creamy, slightly tangy mayo-based sauce. You can make it at home with mayonnaise, melted butter, a touch of ketchup or sriracha, garlic powder, paprika, and mirin. Drizzle it over your chicken and sides or serve it on the side for dipping.

Tip: Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for that authentic Japanese steakhouse touch. Your plate will look as good as it tastes.

Storage and Reheating Tips

Storing Hibachi Chicken:

  • Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature before storing.
  • Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
  • For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month.

Reheating Hibachi Chicken:

  • Skillet method: Heat a little butter or oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and stir occasionally until warmed through and slightly crisped on the edges.
  • Microwave method: Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot. Note that microwaving may soften the sear slightly.

Tip: Reheat hibachi chicken with a small splash of soy sauce or a drizzle of sesame oil to restore moisture and flavor.

Homemade Yum Yum Sauce (Optional Add-On)

Yum Yum Sauce is the creamy, slightly tangy sauce that makes hibachi chicken irresistible. Making it at home is simple and brings that restaurant flavor straight to your plate.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter
  • 1/2 tablespoon ketchup or sriracha for a little kick
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon mirin (optional)
  • 1–2 tablespoons water to reach desired consistency

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients until smooth.
  2. Adjust water gradually to get a pourable, creamy consistency.
  3. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
  4. Serve as a drizzle over hibachi chicken, vegetables, or rice, or on the side for dipping.

Tip: Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions for an extra authentic touch. This sauce keeps well in the fridge for up to one week.

Conclusion

Making hibachi chicken at home is easier than you might think. With simple ingredients, high heat, and a quick stir-fry, you can enjoy juicy, buttery chicken that tastes just like your favorite Japanese steakhouse. Pair it with hibachi rice, noodles, or sautéed vegetables, and don’t forget the creamy yum yum sauce for that authentic touch.

This recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or impressing friends with a restaurant-style meal at home. Try it out, share your results, and make it your go-to hibachi chicken recipe.

Tip: Save this recipe to Pinterest or bookmark it so you can easily recreate it anytime you crave a delicious hibachi meal.

If you’re craving more savory chicken recipes, check out my Black Pepper Chicken. It’s bold, spicy, and full of flavor a perfect counterpart to your hibachi chicken dish.

Hibachi Chicken FAQs

What is hibachi chicken seasoned with?

Hibachi chicken is typically seasoned with butter, garlic, soy sauce, and sometimes a touch of mirin or teriyaki sauce. A small drizzle of sesame oil at the end adds a nutty aroma and enhances the flavor.

Should I marinate my chicken for hibachi?

Marinating is optional. The classic hibachi flavor comes from cooking the chicken quickly over high heat with butter and sauce. If you like, a short 15–30 minute marinade in soy sauce, garlic, and a little sugar can add extra depth.

What’s the secret to hibachi flavor?

The key is high heat, quick cooking, and the combination of butter, garlic, and soy-based sauce. Searing the chicken locks in juices while caramelizing the sauce for that signature savory, slightly sweet taste.

What makes hibachi chicken so good?

Hibachi chicken is beloved for its juicy texture, bold buttery flavor, and quick-cooked sear. The combination of fresh ingredients, high-heat cooking, and the glossy sauce creates a restaurant-style dish you can easily enjoy at home.

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Hibachi chicken recipe plated with buttery rice, stir-fried vegetables, and creamy yum yum sauce

Hibachi Chicken Recipe


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  • Author: Mily
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x

Description

Make this hibachi chicken recipe at home with tender chicken, garlic butter, soy sauce, and a touch of sesame oil. Ready in 10 min for a restaurant-style meal.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon fresh garlic, finely minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons teriyaki sauce or mirin
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, mix soy sauce and teriyaki sauce or mirin. Set aside.
  2. Heat a skillet or wok over medium-high heat and melt the butter.
  3. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add the chicken pieces, toss to coat in butter and garlic, and spread in a single layer.
  5. Pour in the prepared sauce and stir to coat evenly.
  6. Cook for about 5 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and the sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Turn off the heat and drizzle sesame oil over the chicken if desired.
  8. Serve hot with hibachi rice, noodles, or sautéed vegetables. Garnish with sesame seeds or chopped green onions.

Notes

For the best flavor, cook over high heat to sear the chicken quickly. Serve with homemade yum yum sauce for that authentic Japanese steakhouse touch.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stir-Fry
  • Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 plate
  • Calories: 352
  • Sugar: 2.6g
  • Sodium: 668.2mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 4.2g
  • Fiber: 0.1g
  • Protein: 52.9g
  • Cholesterol: 180.7mg

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