Savory Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs
The Ultimate Side Dish & Perfect Drinking Snack: Master the Art of Soy-Glazed Chicken!
Tender chicken thigh meat is simmered in a perfectly balanced sweet and savory soy sauce glaze, creating a deep and rich flavor. Its salty-sweet profile is highly appetite-stimulating, making it a satisfying main dish. When stir-fried with plenty of spicy ‘cheongyang’ chili peppers, it transforms into an irresistible snack for any occasion. The subtle aroma of curry powder further enhances the chicken’s deliciousness, offering a truly unique taste.
Main Ingredients- 1kg chicken thigh meat
- 3 ‘cheongyang’ chili peppers
- 1 red chili pepper
- Vietnamese chili peppers (optional)
Golden Ratio Soy Glaze- 5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 2 Tbsp white sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 1 Tbsp curry powder (generous amount)
- 1/3 Tbsp ginger powder
- 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 paper cup water (approx. 100ml)
- Pinch of black pepper
Chicken Marinade- 2 pinches salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp mirin (rice wine)
- 2 Tbsp white sugar
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup (or other liquid sweetener)
- 1 Tbsp curry powder (generous amount)
- 1/3 Tbsp ginger powder
- 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1/2 paper cup water (approx. 100ml)
- Pinch of black pepper
Chicken Marinade- 2 pinches salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the chicken thigh meat thoroughly under running water. If you prefer not to have the skin, you can remove it. However, I’ve kept the skin on as my children enjoy it, and only trimmed excess fatty bits. Cut the chicken thigh meat into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2
Season the prepared chicken thigh meat with 2 pinches of salt and a pinch of black pepper, mixing well. This step helps to remove any gamey odor from the chicken and enhances its flavor.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the delicious soy glaze. In a bowl, combine 5 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp mirin, 2 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp corn syrup, 1 Tbsp curry powder (generously), 1/3 Tbsp ginger powder, 1.5 Tbsp minced garlic, and 1/2 paper cup (about 100ml) of water. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add a pinch of black pepper for extra aroma.
Step 4
Finely mince the ‘cheongyang’ chili peppers to add a spicy kick. The red chili pepper is mainly for color, so you can omit it if you prefer. If you like it spicier, feel free to increase the amount of ‘cheongyang’ chili peppers.
Step 5
Place the marinated chicken thigh meat in a pan and heat over high heat. Sear both sides until lightly golden brown. This step helps to seal in the juices and develop flavor.
Step 6
Once the chicken is lightly browned, reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pan with a lid and let it cook through. Cooking with the lid on will make the chicken extra tender.
Step 7
When you see rendered chicken fat starting to brown slightly in the pan, it’s a sign that the chicken is almost cooked. Pour the prepared soy glaze into the pan. If you’re using Vietnamese chili peppers, add them now to infuse their spicy aroma.
Step 8
Now, it’s time to let the glaze coat the chicken. Use a spoon to continuously baste the chicken with the sauce as it simmers. Continue cooking until the chicken is glossy and evenly coated with the delicious color of the glaze.
Step 9
When the glaze has thickened and the chicken has taken on a beautiful color, add the minced ‘cheongyang’ chili peppers and red chili peppers to the pan and mix well.
Step 10
Finally, increase the heat to high and stir-fry for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, just enough to infuse the fresh aroma of the chilies into the chicken. Be careful not to overcook, or the chilies will become mushy. Remove from heat and serve.
Step 11
This perfectly cooked soy-glazed chicken makes an excellent main dish for dinner. If you omit the chili peppers, it becomes a delightful sweet and savory dish that children absolutely love.
Step 12
For a more exciting twist, try adding some ‘peperoncino’ or other dried red chilies for a fiery kick. The combination of spicy and sweet-savory flavors makes it an outstanding snack to enjoy with drinks.
Step 13
This soy-glazed chicken, with its subtle curry flavor harmonizing beautifully with the chicken, is truly special! Enjoy this delightful dish as a unique side for your family’s dinner or as a wonderful accompaniment to your drinks tonight. 🙂
