Savory Soy Sauce Braised Chicken Stir-fry
Kid-Friendly Soy Sauce Chicken Stir-fry Recipe: A Perfect Dinner for Elementary Schoolers
Last weekend, for our parents’ anniversary celebration, we made spicy bone-in chicken stew at Hodul’s house. While the adults enjoyed the spicy dish, I was looking for a milder option for the kids and decided on a soy sauce chicken stir-fry. Luckily, I had chicken thigh meat at home, so I opted for a sweet and savory stir-fry!
Main Ingredients
- Approx. 1kg chicken thigh meat
- 1 stalk green onion
- A handful of rice cake soup slices
Savory Soy Sauce Seasoning
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp cola
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 3 Tbsp cola
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, to remove any gamey odor from the chicken thigh meat, soak it in milk for about 20 minutes. This step also helps to tenderize the chicken. After 20 minutes, drain the milk and rinse the chicken thighs thoroughly under running water. Pat them dry with paper towels for best results.
Step 2
While the chicken is draining, prepare your pan. Finely chop one stalk of green onion. Add cooking oil to a wide, shallow pan and gently heat the green onion over medium-low heat to create a fragrant green onion oil. This infuses the oil with the onion’s aroma, enhancing the dish’s flavor.
Step 3
Once you can smell the green onion’s fragrance rising from the pan, add the drained chicken thigh meat and begin to stir-fry. It’s best to cook over medium heat rather than high heat to prevent burning and ensure the chicken cooks evenly.
Step 4
Continue to stir-fry the chicken until it’s golden brown on all sides. Stir-frying until the chicken is well-cooked allows the sauce to penetrate better, resulting in a more delicious soy sauce chicken stir-fry.
Step 5
Push the stir-fried chicken to one side of the pan. Pour 3 tablespoons of soy sauce into the empty space. Letting the soy sauce bubble slightly in the hot pan caramelizes it, deepening its umami flavor before mixing it with the chicken.
Step 6
Once the chicken has absorbed some of the soy sauce, it’s time to add the remaining seasoning ingredients. Add 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, and 3 tablespoons of cola. Stir everything together to evenly coat the chicken and season it. The cola helps to tenderize the chicken and adds a unique sweetness and depth of flavor.
Step 7
When the sauce begins to simmer over medium-low heat, add the prepared rice cake soup slices. Cook the rice cakes until they absorb the delicious sauce.
Step 8
Stir-fry until the liquid reduces and the sauce thickens slightly, coating the chicken and rice cakes. Just before finishing, drizzle in some corn syrup for a glossy finish and mix well. Finally, sprinkle generously with sesame seeds and a touch of sesame oil for a fragrant aroma.
Step 9
The soy sauce chicken stir-fry is now complete, with a rich, savory sauce and tender pieces of chicken! Its perfect balance of sweet and savory makes it a guaranteed hit, especially with elementary schoolers.
Step 10
With chewy rice cakes and tender chicken coated in a delicious soy sauce glaze, this dish is easy to eat piece by piece and makes a fantastic side dish for rice. Its generous portion and delightful taste also made it a popular choice as an appetizer for adults.
Step 11
If you leave a little extra sauce, it’s perfect for making a kid-friendly soy sauce chicken stir-fry over rice, creating a delicious donburi! I’ll have to try making it as a rice bowl next time. Enjoy a wonderful family dinner tonight with this sweet and savory soy sauce chicken stir-fry!
