Discover how to make the best Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice at home with this easy and delicious recipe inspired by the Costco favorite. Perfect for busy families on the go!

As a busy mom and teacher, I know how important it is to have quick and delicious meals ready for my family. We love the Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice from Costco (found in the frozen aisle), but sometimes it’s just not convenient to make a trip to the store.

So, I decided to recreate this family favorite at home! This homemade Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice version is not only easy to whip up, but my kids even say it tastes better than the store-bought one.

This is the perfect recipe for those hectic evenings between sports practice, dance class, and whatever else life may throw at you!

why your whole family will love yakitori chicken fried rice

  • Quick and Easy: With just a few simple step and ingredients, you can have a delicious meal ready in under 30 minutes.
  • Kid-Approved: My kids love this homemade version even more than the Costco favorite!
  • Customizable: You can easily adjust the flavors and ingredients to suit your family’s taste.
  • Nutritious: Packed with protein and veggies, it’s a balanced meal that everyone will enjoy.
  • Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and easily enjoy leftovers throughout the week.

The difference between teriyaki and yakitori

While both teriyaki and yakitori are popular Japanese dishes, they have distinct differences. Teriyaki refers to a cooking method where foods are grilled or broiled with a glaze of soy sauce, mirin, and sugar. Yakitori, on the other hand, specifically refers to skewered and grilled chicken, often seasoned with a similar sauce. This Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice recipe captures the essence of yakitori with its savory and slightly sweet flavors.

ingredients

To make this Costco inspired Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice recipe you’ll need a few ingredients that you can get at almost any grocery store or even online!

Here’s what we are working with:

  • cooked rice
  • chicken thighs or chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • soy sauce
  • mirin
  • cooking oil – vegetable or sesame oil
  • garlic
  • frozen mixed vegetables
  • green onion
  • sesame seeds, optional for garnish

substitutions

  • Chicken: Swap chicken thighs for chicken breast if you prefer leaner meat.
  • Mirin: If you don’t have mirin, a pinch of sugar mixed with a bit of water can be a good substitute.
  • Vegetables: Use any frozen or fresh vegetables you have on hand.

how to make yakitori chicken fried rice

Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of mirin. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.

Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinate chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.

Sauté the Garlic and Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining oil and minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds, then add the frozen mixed vegetables. Cook until the vegetables are heated through.

Add Rice and Season: Add the cooked rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps. Stir in the remaining soy sauce and mirin, mixing well.

Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix everything together. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

storage and meal prep

This yakitori chicken fried rice is perfect for meal prep! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Simply reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop for a quick and satisfying meal.

The flavors in this recipe pair so well together and get better day after day. This easy and delicious chicken fried rice recipe will have you looking forward to lunch each day. It’s so yummy! You will want to assemble into 4 meal prep containers and get ready for one tasty week!

meal prep pro-tip

When meal prepping Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice, prepare the rice and chicken mixture as usual and store it in individual meal prep containers. For an extra protein punch, add a fried egg! Cook them fresh when you’re ready to eat for the best texture. However, if you want to prep the eggs ahead of time, you can make soft-boiled or poached eggs instead. These can be stored in the fridge and quickly reheated by placing them in hot water for a minute or two before serving. This way, you still get that delicious runny yolk effect without having to fry an egg each time!

With this easy recipe, you can enjoy the delicious flavors of Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice anytime you want, without a trip to Costco. It’s a family favorite that’s sure to become a staple in your meal rotation!

We hope you enjoy this easy and delicious recipe as much as we do. It’s definitely one of those recipes worth saving. There’s nothing better than having what looks and tastes like a gourmet meal on the table, but one that saves you time behind the scenes. 

Please leave us a star review and comment if you make this family loved recipe. 

If you have any questions or comments, feel free leave them below. I answer every single question as quickly as I can.

Happy cooking! And thanks for being part of our tribe, The Tasteful Tribe!

ENJOY!

If you love this recipe, check out…

recipe video

The Best Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice (Costco Favorite)

  • DFDairy-Free
5 from 1 vote
Discover how to make the best Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice at home with this easy and delicious recipe inspired by the Costco favorite. Perfect for busy families on the go!
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups cooked rice
  • 1 cup chicken thighs (skinless, boneless) or chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce, divided
  • 2 tbsp mirin (or a little sugar as a substitute)*see notes, divided
  • 2 tbsp cooking oil – vegetable or sesame oil, divided
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • sesame seeds, optional for garnish

Instructions 

  • Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and 1 tablespoon of mirin. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
  • Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinate chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
  • Sauté the Garlic and Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining oil and minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds, then add the frozen mixed vegetables. Cook until the vegetables are heated through.
  • Add Rice and Season: Add the cooked rice to the skillet, breaking up any clumps. Stir in the remaining soy sauce and mirin, mixing well.
  • Combine and Serve: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix everything together. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!

Equipment

Notes

**Mirin: If you don’t have mirin, a pinch of sugar mixed with a bit of water can be a good substitute**

Nutrition

Serving: 2cups (approx)Calories: 289kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 17gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 895mgPotassium: 320mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 2385IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 34mgIron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to tag thetastefultribe on instagram @thetastefultribe if you try this easy Costco inspired Yakitori Chicken Fried Rice recipe. We love seeing your version of the recipe! You can also post your pictures to our facebook page!