Air Fryer Hibachi Chicken and Vegetables
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Skip the Japanese steakhouse and go with this simple air fryer hibachi chicken recipe instead. This popular dish requires just 15 minutes of prep and is on the table in about 45 minutes, making it a simple weeknight meal.
It has that yummy umami flavor you get at your favorite hibachi grill restaurant. But since it’s made in the air fryer, you’ll have a restaurant-quality meal with none of the hassle.
I love this homemade chicken hibachi recipe because it comes together quickly and it’s a one pan meal. It’s also easy to meal prep and tastes just as good when reheated.
But let’s not forget, you can save a ton of money by cooking this amazing dinner at home, versus eating in a restaurant. Which means you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to enjoy your favorite Japanese grill dish.
If you like Asian-inspired dishes, be sure to try my orange chicken recipe – it’s a copycat Panda Express dinner that’s also made in the air fryer. Another quick favorite is chicken and broccoli – it has a teriyaki flavor and uses easy ingredients as well.
New to air frying? Get the low down on maximizing your usage of this amazing small appliance, including easy clean up tips, with our best air fryer tips for beginners.
What is Hibachi?
Hibachi is a style of Japanese cooking that involves grilling food, usually meat, seafood, and vegetables, on a high-heat, flat, open-top grill. The word “hibachi” actually refers to a small portable heating device with an open top, traditionally used in Japan to heat a room. But in regards to cuisine, most are referring to the dining experience where chefs prepare and cook food in front of guests on a flat iron griddle, often with entertaining flair.
Air Fryer Hibachi Chicken Ingredients
- Fresh vegetables: we’re using yellow squash, fresh zucchini and yellow onion today.
- Minced garlic – you can also season with garlic powder, but fresh garlic really shines here.
- Sesame oil – this is a signature ingredient in Asian cooking that we normally don’t skip out on.
- Soy sauce – a must-have for hibachi dishes, we like to use a low sodium soy sauce.
- Butter – salted or unsalted will work.
- Chicken thighs – we chose thighs because of the extra flavor and they’re budget friendly. You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts if preferred but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time.
- Lemon – the juice adds flavor and tenderizes the meat.
- Salt and black pepper – adjust to taste.
- Sesame seeds and/or green onions – totally a garnish but gives the feel of a restaurant dish.
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How to Make Chicken Hibachi in the Air Fryer
Start by rinsing the veggies and patting them dry with a paper towel, then dice them into small pieces and set aside.
Place the pan into the air fryer basket. Add a tablespoon of each: soy sauce, butter, and oil. Add a 1/2 tablespoon of garlic. Season with salt and pepper.
Add the cut vegetables and air fry for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F. Shake the basket every 3 minutes.
Once they’re almost done, remove from the basket and set aside.
Add the chicken thighs to the same pan along with the rest of the garlic, butter, oil, and soy. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze half onto the chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Remove the chicken from the basket and chop. Return the cooked chicken and vegetables back to the pan and cook for 5 more minutes.
Allow the hibachi dinner to cool for a few minutes, then garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if using.
DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START?
Grab the free guide to Air Fryer Cooking Times Cheat Sheet & say goodbye to the guesswork.
Tips For Making Air Fryer Chicken Hibachi
- Prior to cooking, make sure your baking pan fits in your air fryer basket.
- Dice the vegetables so they’re a similar size so they cook evenly.
- Patting the veggies dry soaks up the moisture, and helps to keep them from getting soggy.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Proteins: Use the same recipe for hibachi steak or shrimp. You can also use chicken breasts. Keep in mind you may need to adjust the cooking time for other meats.
- Veggies: bell pepper, mushrooms, or sliced carrots would also taste great.
- Oil: if you don’t have sesame oil you can use olive oil or vegetable oil, but keep in mind the flavor will be different. Both of these oils have high smoke points and do well with higher cooking temperatures.
What to Serve With Hibachi Chicken
This easy chicken recipe goes great with white rice, brown rice, or fried rice. For a lower carb option, serve with just the veggies and/or with cauliflower rice. Popular dipping sauces include teriyaki sauce, ginger sauce, and yum yum sauce.
How to Store Leftover Asian Chicken
Transfer hibachi-style chicken to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat leftovers in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop.
More easy air fryer chicken recipes…
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Air Fryer Hibachi Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 medium yellow squash
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic, divided use
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil, divided use
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce, divided use
- 2 tablespoons butter, divided use
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided use
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided use
- 1 pound chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 1/2 lemon
- sesame seeds, for garnish, optional
- chopped green onions, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Rinse the vegetables and pat dry. Cut the vegetables into bite-size pieces and set them aside.1 medium yellow squash, 1 medium zucchini, 1 medium yellow onion
- Place a cake or pie pan in the air fryer basket. Add 1/2 tablespoon garlic, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, and 1 tablespoon butter and season with half of the salt and pepper.
- Add the chopped vegetables and cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, shaking or stirring the vegetables every 3 minutes.
- When the vegetables are almost done, remove them from the basket and set aside.
- In the same pan, add the chicken thighs and the remaining garlic, oil, soy, and butter. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice of one lemon half onto the chicken. Season with salt and pepper and cook at 400°F for 10 minutes.1 pound chicken thighs
- Remove the chicken and chop it into bite-size pieces. Return chopped chicken and vegetables to the pan and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer basket and allow to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions if using.sesame seeds, chopped green onions
Notes
- Make sure the pan fits your air fryer before starting.
- Cut the vegetables in similarly-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Serve with steamed rice (white, brown or cauliflower).
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
