Irresistibly Juicy Soy Sauce Chicken Recipe for Home Chefs

Crafting a delectable soy sauce chicken brings pure culinary magic right to your kitchen.

Aromas of ginger and garlic will dance through your home, promising an incredible meal.

Tender meat marinates in a rich, umami-packed sauce that promises depth and complexity.

Salt and sweet notes intermingle, creating a balanced flavor profile that delights the palate.

Home cooks can easily master this classic dish with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.

Marinating transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy experience that will impress everyone at the table.

Let’s unlock the secrets of this mouthwatering recipe and make dinner extraordinary tonight.

Soy Sauce Chicken You’ll Want on Repeat

• Unlock Flavor Explosion: Discover a mouthwatering chicken dish that transforms simple ingredients into a taste sensation with rich, caramelized soy sauce glaze.
• Master One-Pan Magic: Create a complete meal using just a single pan, minimizing cleanup and making cooking stress-free for busy home chefs.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Prepare a restaurant-quality dinner in under 30 minutes, perfect for satisfying hungry families with minimal kitchen effort.
• Crowd-Pleasing Technique: Learn a foolproof cooking method that guarantees juicy, tender chicken with a glossy, flavorful exterior every single time.

Ingredients for Bold and Savory Soy Sauce Chicken

• Chicken Thighs: Bone-in and skin-on cuts that provide rich flavor and juicy texture for this dish.

• Soy Sauce: Adds deep umami and saltiness to the chicken.
• Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps create a glossy glaze.
• Vegetable Oil: Enables even cooking and prevents sticking in the pan.

• Green Onions: Fresh herb that adds a bright, sharp flavor and visual appeal to the finished dish.

How to Cook Soy Sauce Chicken to Perfection

Step 1: Whisk Flavor Explosion

Create a tantalizing sauce by blending honey, soy sauce, and other seasonings in a small bowl. Stir vigorously until the honey completely dissolves, creating a glossy, rich mixture that will coat the chicken with incredible depth of flavor.

Step 2: Fire Up the Cooking Surface

Ignite a large pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle vegetable oil to create a sizzling cooking environment that will help develop a gorgeous golden-brown exterior on the chicken.

Step 3: Sear Chicken to Perfection

Carefully place chicken thighs skin side down in the hot pan. Allow each side to develop a beautiful caramelized crust by searing for approximately 2 minutes, creating a mouthwatering texture and sealing in the juices.

Step 4: Sauce Bath Simmer

Pour the prepared sauce into the pan, which will create an exciting bubbling reaction. Cover the pan and reduce heat to medium, letting the chicken simmer gently for 7 minutes.

The sauce will start to infuse the meat with incredible taste.

Step 5: Flip and Continue Cooking

Turn the chicken over, cover again, and continue simmering for another 7 minutes.

This ensures even cooking and allows the sauce to penetrate deeply into the meat.

Step 6: Final Flavor Boost

Flip the chicken one more time so the skin faces upward.

Generously baste the chicken with the surrounding sauce, creating a glossy, sticky coating. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, guaranteeing juicy and safe-to-eat chicken.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped green onions over the chicken for a pop of color and bright flavor. Serve with additional sauce on the side, allowing diners to drizzle extra deliciousness over their meal.

Savvy Cooking Tips for Soy Sauce Chicken

• Opt for bone-in chicken thighs to ensure juicier, more flavorful meat that stays tender during cooking.
• Monitor sauce consistency by reducing heat if it's reducing too quickly, preventing burning while creating a glossy, rich coating.
• Use a meat thermometer to accurately check chicken's internal temperature, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked protein.
• For gluten-free adaptation, replace traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos without compromising the deep, savory flavor profile.
• Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, resulting in more succulent and moist meat.

Delicious Spins on Soy Sauce Chicken

• Ginger Zest Chicken: Add minced fresh ginger to the sauce for a warming, spicy kick that complements the soy sauce's umami flavor.
• Citrus Soy Splash: Incorporate orange or lemon zest into the sauce to brighten the dish with a tangy, refreshing undertone.
• Honey Garlic Infusion: Increase garlic minces and add a touch more honey for a sweeter, more intense flavor profile.
• Spicy Korean-Style: Mix in gochujang or sriracha sauce to create a bold, fiery version of the original recipe that brings heat and depth.

What to Pair with Soy Sauce Chicken Tonight

• Elevate Flavor Harmony: Perfectly Paired Delights
• Serve Steamed White Rice: Soft, fluffy rice soaks up the delicious soy sauce glaze, creating a comforting base that balances the chicken's rich, savory profile.
• Match with Crisp Asian Slaw: Tangy, crunchy cabbage slaw with a light rice vinegar dressing cuts through the chicken's richness, adding refreshing texture and brightness.
• Pour Chilled Sake or Light Beer: Smooth, slightly sweet sake or a crisp Japanese lager complements the umami-packed soy sauce, cooling down the palate and enhancing the meal's overall enjoyment.
• Sprinkle Toasted Sesame Seeds: Nutty, aromatic sesame seeds add a delightful crunch and earthy undertone, elevating the chicken's complex flavor layers.

Best Practices to Store and Reheat Soy Sauce Chicken

• Refrigerate: Store leftover soy sauce chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the chicken and sauce together to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Freezing: Wrap individual portions tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken in a baking dish, add a splash of water or extra sauce to prevent drying. Cover with foil and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Microwave Option: Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, drizzle with remaining sauce. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature and moisture to avoid overcooking.

FAQs for Making the Best Soy Sauce Chicken

• Is soy sauce chicken healthy?

The dish offers lean protein from chicken thighs and contains beneficial nutrients from soy sauce, which provides essential minerals like iron and potassium.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, chicken breasts work well, but they cook faster and might dry out more quickly, so reduce cooking time and monitor internal temperature closely.

• What type of soy sauce is best for this recipe?

Use traditional Chinese light soy sauce for authentic flavor, which provides a balanced saltiness and deeper umami taste compared to other varieties.

• How do I prevent the chicken from burning during searing?

Ensure medium-high heat and use a non-stick pan or well-seasoned cast iron skillet, which helps create a golden-brown crust without scorching the meat.

Soy Sauce Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 26 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Silky Chinese soy sauce chicken brings authentic flavor straight from Cantonese kitchens to your dinner table. Glistening with rich marinade and tender meat, this classic dish promises a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with every succulent bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 lb (0.68 kg) skin-on bone-in chicken thighs
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) regular soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) dark soy sauce
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) honey

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15 g) ginger, thinly sliced
• 1 green onion, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) rice vinegar

Cooking Components:

• 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vegetable oil

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Instructions

1. Whisk honey, soy sauce, and other sauce components in a mixing vessel until thoroughly blended and smooth.
2. Warm a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature, introducing vegetable oil to create a sizzling surface.
3. Carefully position chicken thighs with skin facing downward, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown sear for approximately 2 minutes.
4. Cascade the prepared sauce into the hot pan, anticipating initial bubbling; immediately reduce heat and cover, allowing chicken to simmer gently for 7 minutes.
5. Carefully rotate chicken pieces, maintaining the covered environment, and continue simmering for another 7 minutes to ensure even cooking.
6. Reposition chicken so skin faces upward, methodically brushing with accumulated sauce to enhance flavor and moisture.
7. Monitor internal temperature, aiming for 165°F; once achieved, remove from heat to prevent overcooking.
8. Transfer chicken to serving platter, generously drizzle remaining sauce, and adorn with finely chopped green onions for a fresh, vibrant garnish.

Notes

• Perfectly balance sweetness by adjusting honey levels to match personal taste preferences, ensuring the sauce complements the chicken without overpowering its natural flavor.
• Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum juiciness and richer taste, as they retain more moisture during cooking compared to boneless cuts.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, which provide similar umami depth without wheat ingredients.
• Enhance sauce consistency by whisking cornstarch into the mixture if you prefer a thicker, more glossy coating that clings beautifully to the chicken.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 16 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 406
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 1145 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 108 mg