Description
This Air Fryer Chicken Hibachi recipe offers a quick and flavorful twist on the classic Japanese hibachi dish. Tender chicken breast cubes and a colorful medley of zucchini, squash, and carrots are marinated in a savory sauce of soy, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger, then air fried to perfection. The result is a healthy, easy-to-make meal that is juicy, slightly caramelized, and packed with vibrant flavors, perfect for a wholesome weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 cup chicken breast, cubed, seasoned with salt and pepper
Vegetables
- 1 cup zucchini, cubed
- 1 cup squash, cubed
- 1 cup carrot, sliced
Sauce
- 4 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp garlic, minced
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- Brown sugar, optional (to taste)
Garnish
- 2 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, minced garlic, ground ginger, and brown sugar if using. Stir well to combine all the flavors into a balanced marinade.
- Coat the Chicken and Vegetables: Add the seasoned cubed chicken breast, zucchini, squash, and sliced carrots to a large bowl. Pour the prepared sauce over the chicken and veggies, tossing thoroughly to ensure every piece is coated evenly with the flavorful sauce.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the marinated chicken and vegetable mixture in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding or stacking to allow even air circulation and uniform cooking.
- Air Fry: Set the air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Every 5 minutes, pause the cooking to shake the basket or gently stir the ingredients to promote even browning and cooking throughout.
- Finish and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender with a slight caramelized edge, remove from the air fryer. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately. This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or cauliflower rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken cubes are uniformly sized for even cooking.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to prevent steaming instead of crisping.
- Adjust brown sugar according to your preferred level of sweetness or omit for a sugar-free version.
- Rice vinegar adds a subtle tang; substituting with apple cider vinegar might change the flavor profile slightly.
- For a lower sodium version, use low-sodium soy sauce.
