Sweet & Savory Braised Chicken Thighs
Tender and Flavorful Chicken Thighs Braised in Soy Sauce: A Perfect Recipe for Kids’ Meals and Beer Snacks
When you’re wondering what to cook for your kids, try this chicken thigh recipe! You don’t need many ingredients, and the flavor combination is a hit with children, making them absolutely devour it. Its perfect balance of sweet and savory makes it an excellent beer snack for adults too!
Main Ingredients- 400g boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp cooking oil (approx. 5g)
Chicken Marinade- 1-2 pinches of salt
- 1 tbsp mirin (or rice wine) (approx. 8g)
Savory Soy Sauce Glaze- 2 tbsp soy sauce (approx. 16g)
- 2 tbsp mirin (or rice wine) (approx. 16g)
- 1/2 tbsp minced garlic (approx. 10g)
- 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce (approx. 6-7g)
- 1 tbsp corn syrup (or honey) (approx. 12g)
- 1/2 tbsp sesame oil (approx. 3g)
- 4-5 pinches of ginger powder (approx. 1/2 tsp)
- 3 tbsp honey (approx. 36g)
- 2 pinches of black pepper
- 1-2 pinches of salt
- 1 tbsp mirin (or rice wine) (approx. 8g)
Savory Soy Sauce Glaze- 2 tbsp soy sauce (approx. 16g)
- 2 tbsp mirin (or rice wine) (approx. 16g)
- 1/2 tbsp minced garlic (approx. 10g)
- 1/2 tbsp oyster sauce (approx. 6-7g)
- 1 tbsp corn syrup (or honey) (approx. 12g)
- 1/2 tbsp sesame oil (approx. 3g)
- 4-5 pinches of ginger powder (approx. 1/2 tsp)
- 3 tbsp honey (approx. 36g)
- 2 pinches of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 400g of boneless chicken thighs. It’s best to leave the skin on for extra flavor. Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4cm in length. You can also use chicken drumettes if you prefer, but boneless thighs are exceptionally tender.
Step 2
In a bowl, add the chicken marinade ingredients: 1-2 pinches of salt and 1 tbsp of mirin (or rice wine). Sprinkle them evenly over the chicken thighs.
Step 3
Gently massage the chicken with your hands to ensure the marinade is evenly distributed and coats every piece. Marinating is crucial for thicker cuts of meat, as it allows the flavors to penetrate deeply, making the chicken much more delicious.
Step 4
Now, let’s make the delicious soy sauce glaze. Since we’ll be simmering this in a pan, it’s best to use regular soy sauce. Add 2 tbsp of soy sauce and 2 tbsp of mirin (or rice wine). Don’t forget to include 1/2 tbsp of minced garlic. As it simmers, the subtle garlic aroma will infuse the sauce, adding another layer of deliciousness.
Step 5
Add 1/2 tbsp of oyster sauce for that umami depth, and 1 tbsp of corn syrup (or honey) for a beautiful sheen and subtle sweetness.
Step 6
For a nutty aroma, add 1/2 tbsp of sesame oil. A pinch of ginger powder (about 4-5 pinches, or 1/2 tsp) helps to eliminate any gamey smell and adds a subtle complexity. Even a small amount of ginger powder won’t make it spicy but will subtly balance the sweetness at the end, making each bite enjoyable.
Step 7
Here’s the key to the sweetness! Add 3 tbsp of honey – any kind like wildflower or acacia honey will work perfectly. Finally, sprinkle in 2 pinches of black pepper.
Step 8
Using a whisk or spoon, thoroughly mix all the sauce ingredients together. Make sure the corn syrup and honey are completely dissolved and there are no clumps for a smooth glaze.
Step 9
Heat 1 tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 2-3 minutes until golden brown, then flip. Thanks to the mirin, the chicken will brown relatively quickly, so be sure to use medium heat, not high, to achieve a beautiful color without burning.
Step 10
After searing the other side for another 2-3 minutes, pour all the prepared soy sauce glaze over the chicken. Scrape any remaining corn syrup or honey from the bottom of the bowl into the pan to ensure you get every bit of flavor.
Step 11
Once the sauce is added, bring it to a simmer over medium heat and let it bubble for 1-2 minutes. This initial simmer helps the sauce begin to thicken and coat the chicken.
Step 12
Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened to a sticky, glaze-like consistency. Continuously toss the chicken to ensure it’s evenly coated. Taste the sauce and if it’s not salty enough or too sweet, you can add another half tablespoon of soy sauce to adjust to your preference. Adjusting the seasoning at the end is always key to delicious cooking!
Step 13
If serving this as a kid’s meal, it’s ready as is! However, if you’re enjoying it as a beer snack, you can enhance the flavor by thinly slicing some green onions, soaking them in 1 liter of cold water with 2 tbsp of vinegar for 10 minutes to remove their sharp bite, then draining them and serving alongside the chicken.
Step 14
If you prefer not to have raw green onions, you can finely slice about 40-50g of green onions and lightly stir-fry them in the sauce for about 1 minute. Serving this cooked green onion with the chicken offers a different, delightful flavor profile.
Step 15
Enjoy your perfectly cooked ‘Honey Chicken Thighs’ glaze – ideal for kids’ meals and a fantastic adult beer snack!
