Description
Shoyu Chicken is a comforting and flavorful Asian dish featuring tender, juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs simmered in a rich soy sauce-based marinade with garlic, ginger, and brown sugar. This easy-to-prepare recipe delivers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and umami flavors, ideal for a family-friendly dinner served alongside rice, noodles, or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Sauce & Marinade
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (or honey/maple syrup as alternatives)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
Finishing & Garnish
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure the skin crisps up nicely. Lightly season both sides with salt and black pepper to enhance natural flavors and balance the soy sauce’s saltiness.
- Brown the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of cooking oil. Place chicken skin-side down and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. This locks in juices and creates a flavorful crust.
- Make the Sauce: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and water or broth. Stir well until the brown sugar dissolves completely, forming a rich and glossy marinade.
- Simmer the Chicken: Pour the sauce mixture into the skillet with the browned chicken. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, turning the chicken occasionally to cook evenly and allow the flavors to meld. Continue until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens slightly, about 20 minutes.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove from heat, drizzle with toasted sesame oil, and sprinkle sliced green onions over the dish for a fresh and colorful finish. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for the best flavor and juicy texture.
- Don’t rush browning the chicken; it develops essential flavor and crust.
- Simmer on low heat to thicken the sauce naturally without drying the chicken.
- Adjust sweetness by adding more brown sugar or substitutes according to preference.
- Allow the chicken to rest a few minutes after cooking to retain juices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Simmering
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg