Authentic Benihana-Inspired Japanese Chicken Fried Rice
Experience the joy of dining at your favorite Japanese steakhouse with this homemade, copycat version of Benihana's irresistible chicken fried rice. Fluffy, cooled rice is combined with tender, cubed chicken, vibrant vegetables, and the rich flavors of garlic and sesame. This dish is perfect as a side or as a complete meal, and it's simple enough to whip up on a busy weeknight. The addition of a unique garlic butter compound elevates the flavor to create an authentic dining experience right in your kitchen. Serve it alongside some onion soup for an experience reminiscent of the restaurant! Enjoy this delightful dish that balances savory, slightly sweet, and rich flavors with each mouthful.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
cooked rice
4 cups (cooled to room temperature)
sweet butter
4 tablespoons (softened)
garlic cloves
2 (finely minced)
sesame oil
1 teaspoon (for scrambling eggs)
eggs
3 (beaten)
boneless skinless chicken breasts
6-8 ounces (cubed)
sesame oil
2 tablespoons (for frying)
frozen peas
1/2 cup (thawed (optional))
frozen carrots
1/2 cup (thawed)
onion
1 cup (diced)
green onion
1/4 cup (chopped)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
low sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons
toasted sesame seeds
2 tablespoons (optional)
Instructions
1
Prepare the rice by cooking it the night before or using package directions. For this recipe, you'll need to cook 2 cups of uncooked rice with 4 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Spread the cooked rice in a shallow pan to cool, then transfer it to the fridge or freezer to cool to room temperature.
2
Create the garlic butter: In a medium bowl, combine softened butter with finely minced garlic (1 or 2 cloves based on your preference). Mix thoroughly using a potato masher or hand mixer until well blended. Set aside.
3
Cube the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and set aside. Dice the onion and chop green onions thinly.
4
Scramble the eggs in a frying pan with 1 teaspoon of sesame oil until cooked through. Remove from pan, chop into small pieces, and set aside.
5
In a large frying pan or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of sesame oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft but not browned. Stir in the cubed chicken, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste, and cook for 5-7 minutes, until just cooked through and lightly browned.
6
Add 1 tablespoon of the garlic butter compound to the chicken and onion mixture, followed by the thawed peas, carrots, and chopped green onions. Cook for an additional 5 minutes or until vegetables are just tender, stirring frequently.
7
Incorporate the cooled rice by adding it to the pan a handful at a time. Mix thoroughly, using additional garlic butter as needed (up to 3 tablespoons total). Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring often to ensure even heating.
8
Finally, stir in the scrambled eggs and soy sauce, mixing well to combine. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired. For a finishing touch, sprinkle in toasted sesame seeds for added texture and flavor. Serve hot as a delicious meal or side dish.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this fried rice authentic?
The addition of a unique garlic butter compound creates the signature Japanese steakhouse flavor characteristic of Benihana.
How should I prepare the rice for this recipe?
Cook 2 cups of uncooked rice with 4 cups of water for 20 minutes, then spread it in a shallow pan and cool it to room temperature in the fridge or freezer.
Why is it important to use cooled rice?
Using cooled rice prevents it from becoming mushy during frying, ensuring the grains stay fluffy and separate.
How do I make the special garlic butter?
Mix 4 tablespoons of softened sweet butter with 2 cloves of finely minced garlic using a potato masher or hand mixer until well blended.
What type of chicken should I use?
The recipe calls for 6 to 8 ounces of boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed into bite-sized pieces.
What vegetables are included in this fried rice?
This recipe uses diced white onion, chopped green onions, thawed frozen carrots, and optional thawed frozen peas.
How are the eggs prepared for the rice?
Scramble 3 beaten eggs in a pan with 1 teaspoon of sesame oil until cooked, then chop them into small pieces and set aside.
Which oil is best for frying the chicken and rice?
Sesame oil is recommended to provide the authentic nutty flavor associated with Japanese steakhouse cooking.
When should I add the garlic butter?
Add 1 tablespoon of the garlic butter to the chicken and vegetables first, then use the remaining butter while incorporating the rice.
How long should I sauté the onions?
Sauté the diced onions for about 5 minutes over medium heat until they are soft but not browned.
How long does the chicken take to cook?
Cook the cubed chicken for 5 to 7 minutes until it is just cooked through and lightly browned.
Is sesame seeds included in the recipe?
Yes, toasted sesame seeds are added at the end for extra texture and flavor.
What type of soy sauce is recommended?
The recipe specifies 2 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
How do I incorporate the rice into the pan?
Add the cooled rice to the pan a handful at a time, mixing thoroughly to ensure even heating and distribution of flavors.
Can this be served as a main dish?
Yes, this chicken fried rice is hearty enough to be a complete one-dish meal or can be served as a side dish.
What is a good pairing for this recipe?
Serving this rice alongside Japanese onion soup creates an experience reminiscent of a Japanese steakhouse.
How much cooked rice is needed?
The recipe requires 4 cups of cooked rice that has been cooled to room temperature.
Do I need to thaw the frozen vegetables?
Yes, the frozen peas and carrots should be thawed before being added to the frying pan.
How many eggs are used in this recipe?
Three beaten eggs are used to create the scrambled egg pieces found in the rice.
How are the green onions prepared?
The green onions should be chopped thinly and added to the pan with the other vegetables.
How many garlic cloves are needed for the butter?
The recipe suggests using 1 or 2 garlic cloves depending on your flavor preference.
When do the eggs get added back to the mixture?
The chopped scrambled eggs are stirred back into the pan at the very end along with the soy sauce.
What seasonings are added to the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with salt and black pepper to taste while it is sautéing.
How long does it take to simmer the initial rice?
If cooking the rice from scratch, it should simmer for 20 minutes before cooling.
Are the peas mandatory?
No, the 1/2 cup of frozen peas is listed as an optional ingredient.
How much sesame oil is used for the main frying?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of sesame oil for sautéing the onions and chicken.
What tool should I use to mix the garlic butter?
A potato masher or a hand mixer is recommended to ensure the minced garlic is thoroughly blended with the butter.
What is the overall flavor profile?
The dish offers a balance of savory, slightly sweet, and rich flavors with the distinct aroma of garlic and toasted sesame.
How much total butter is used?
A total of 4 tablespoons of softened sweet butter is used to create the garlic compound.
How long is the final cooking stage once rice is added?
Cook the mixture for an additional 5 to 7 minutes after adding the rice, stirring often to ensure even heating.