Benihana Chicken Fried Rice Recipe for Japanese Steakhouse Flavor at Home

Benihana chicken fried rice stands as a beloved classic that sparks joy in every bite.

Restaurant-inspired comfort emerges through this wildly popular dish that combines savory flavors and satisfying textures.

Memories of sizzling hibachi grills and skillful chef performances dance behind each delectable spoonful.

Home cooks adore recreating this iconic Japanese-American favorite with surprising ease and confidence.

Professional-level results await anyone willing to master simple cooking techniques and embrace bold seasonings.

Authentic restaurant magic becomes accessible right from your kitchen, promising delightful moments of culinary excitement.

Why Benihana-Style Chicken Fried Rice Is A Go-To

• Easy Meal Prep: Chilling rice overnight ensures perfect texture and prevents clumping, making your fried rice professional-grade without extra stress.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: This technique mimics Benihana’s cooking method, letting you create a restaurant favorite right in your kitchen with simple ingredients.
• Flexible Family Dinner: The recipe allows quick customization with different proteins or vegetables your household enjoys, making it a versatile crowd-pleaser.
• Satisfying One-Pan Wonder: Everything comes together smoothly in a single wok, which means minimal cleanup and maximum flavor in one awesome dish.

Ingredient List For Benihana Chicken Fried Rice

• 3 cups Short-Grain White Rice: The foundation of your fried rice that creates a perfect base with its sticky texture and ability to absorb flavors.
• 1 pound Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Tender chicken that gives your dish substantial protein and delicious meaty flavor.
• 2 tablespoons Safflower Oil, 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter: These fats help create crispy edges and rich flavor in your fried rice.
• 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce: Adds depth and umami saltiness to every bite of the rice.
• 3 large Eggs: Create fluffy scrambled pieces that add texture and protein to your dish.
• 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder, 1 teaspoon Onion Powder, 2 teaspoons Sea Salt, 1 teaspoon White Pepper, 0.5 teaspoon MSG: These spices build complex layers of savory flavor in your rice.
• 1 medium Yellow Onion, 3 cloves Garlic, 1 cup Frozen Peas and Carrots, 4 green Onions: Fresh vegetables that provide crunch, sweetness, and color.

• 1 tablespoon Garlic Butter: Extra richness for the final flavor boost.
• 1 tablespoon Toasted Sesame Seeds: Adds nutty crunch and authentic restaurant-style presentation.

Simple Kitchen Equipment for Benihana Chicken Fried Rice

• Large Wok or Stir-Fry Pan: Your most critical tool for creating authentic fried rice, providing high, even heat for perfect texture.
• Cutting Board: A sturdy surface where your chicken and vegetables get expertly chopped into uniform pieces.
• Sharp Chef’s Knife: Essential for precise dicing of chicken, onions, and green onions with professional-level control.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Your go-to utensil for stirring, moving ingredients quickly, and preventing sticking in the hot wok.
• Measuring Cups (1-cup size): Helpful for accurately portioning rice, vegetables, and other ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Precise tools for adding exact amounts of butter, oil, and seasonings.
• Medium Bowl: Perfect for beating eggs before adding them to the wok.
• Baking Sheet (13×18 inches): Crucial for spreading and chilling rice overnight to achieve the right texture.
• Small Bowls: Convenient for prepping and organizing ingredients before cooking begins.

Steps for Making Benihana Chicken Fried Rice

Kitchen Know-How For Benihana Chicken Fried Rice

• Make your rice the day before, spreading it on a baking sheet to cool uncovered in the refrigerator for perfect texture.
• Blast your wok with high heat to get those crispy edges and authentic restaurant-style fried rice.
• Cook chicken separately to keep it juicy and prevent soggy rice, then set aside on a clean plate.
• Scramble eggs gently, keeping them slightly runny for a silky smooth texture that blends perfectly with rice.
• Let rice sit undisturbed to develop golden crispy spots, which adds incredible depth of flavor to your dish.

Flavor Twists for Benihana Chicken Fried Rice

• Vegetarian Rice Bowl: Swap chicken with firm tofu or tempeh, cutting into similar-sized cubes and following the same cooking technique for a protein-packed meat-free version.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Remix: Replace regular rice with riced cauliflower, reducing carbohydrates while maintaining the classic stir-fry texture and flavor profile.
• Seafood Adventure: Trade chicken for shrimp or diced salmon, adjusting cooking time to ensure seafood is perfectly cooked without becoming tough.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce and confirm all ingredients are certified gluten-free to accommodate sensitive dietary needs.

How To Plate Chicken Fried Rice

• Perfect Portion Size: Serve this delicious chicken fried rice as a hearty main dish that generously feeds 4-6 people, with each person getting about 1-1.5 cups.
• Smart Side Dish Pairing: Complement the rich flavors with a crisp cucumber salad or simple steamed edamame to balance your plate and add a fresh vegetable element.
• Temperature Tip: Enjoy this fried rice piping hot straight from the wok for maximum flavor and that classic restaurant-style texture your taste buds will appreciate.
• Drink Companion: Match this savory dish with a cold Asian beer like Sapporo or a light, slightly chilled sake that cuts through the richness of the buttery rice.

How Long Does Benihana Chicken Fried Rice Keep

• Chill your rice overnight on an uncovered baking sheet so each grain stays separate and absorbs less moisture, making perfect fried rice texture.
• Store leftover chicken fried rice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, reheating gently in a skillet to maintain that crispy rice texture.
• Freeze individual portions in sealed containers for quick weeknight meals, making sure to remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Keep prepped ingredients like chopped onions, diced chicken, and beaten eggs in separate sealed containers in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours to speed up your cooking process.

Benihana Chicken Fried Rice FAQs

Benihana Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 22-25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Benihana Chicken Fried Rice brings restaurant-style magic straight to your kitchen, letting you recreate that classic Japanese-American takeout favorite with simple ingredients and quick cooking techniques. Crispy rice, tender chicken, and scrambled eggs blend together in a skillet that makes dinner feel like a fun culinary adventure.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups short-grain white rice
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Supporting Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons safflower oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 large eggs

Seasoning and Garnish:

• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 tablespoon garlic butter
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 4 green onions
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon MSG

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Instructions

1. Prepare chilled rice the night before by cooking it with slightly less water, then spreading it on a baking sheet and refrigerating uncovered overnight.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons safflower oil in a wok at high heat. Add 1 pound chicken cubes and cook for 2-3 minutes until almost opaque.
3. Stir 1 tablespoon garlic butter and 1 tablespoon soy sauce into chicken. Continue cooking 2-3 minutes until fully done. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
4. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in the wok. Pour 3 beaten eggs, letting them set for 10 seconds. Gently scramble into small pieces while eggs remain slightly runny. Remove eggs to the same plate as chicken.
5. Add 1 tablespoon oil to wok over high heat. Sauté 1 cup diced onions for 1-2 minutes until translucent. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds.
6. Toss 1 cup thawed peas and carrots into the wok. Stir-fry for 1 minute.
7. Add remaining oil and 2 tablespoons butter to wok. Incorporate 3 cups cold rice, breaking apart any clumps. Spread rice evenly and let it develop a golden crust for 30 seconds without moving.
8. Stir rice and repeat crust-forming process 2-3 more times.
9. Sprinkle entire batch of secret seasoning over rice. Drizzle remaining soy sauce and gently fold.
10. Mix in cooked chicken and scrambled eggs, combining carefully.
11. Turn off heat. Fold in most of the sliced green onions.
12. Transfer to serving dish. Garnish with remaining green onions and 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds.

Notes

• Preparing rice the day before is crucial for achieving the right texture and preventing clumping during stir-frying.
• Cold rice separates easily and creates a delightful crispy crust when you spread it evenly in the hot wok.
• Cooking chicken and eggs separately ensures they remain tender and do not overcook during the final rice frying.
• For a lighter version, swap white rice with cauliflower rice and use less butter to reduce calories without sacrificing flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
• Category: Stir-Fried
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Japanese-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 516 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 707 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg