Description
Savory honey soy chicken delivers a perfect balance of sweet and umami flavors from Asian cuisine. Home cooks can easily create this mouthwatering dish with simple ingredients, promising a delightful meal that satisfies comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1.5 kilograms (or 3 pounds) skinless boneless chicken thighs or breast
Marinade Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 2/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic, finely minced
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Thickening and Garnish:
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- Green onion, finely sliced
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant marinade by thoroughly blending all sauce ingredients until honey completely dissolves, creating a uniform mixture.
- Strategically divide the marinade: set aside 1/4 cup for basting and 2/3 cup for serving sauce, then refrigerate both portions.
- Submerge chicken pieces completely in remaining marinade, ensuring thorough coating in a sealed container.
- Allow chicken to marinate in refrigerator for minimum 3 hours, ideally up to 48 hours for maximum flavor infusion.
- Prepare serving sauce by transferring reserved sauce into a small saucepan, combining cornflour with water, and whisking thoroughly.
- Simmer sauce over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes, stirring consistently until it transforms into a glossy, syrupy consistency. Adjust thickness by adding water if needed.
- Preheat grill or skillet to medium-high temperature, lightly brushing cooking surface with oil to prevent sticking.
- For chicken thighs, cook first side for 2 minutes, then flip and generously baste with reserved sauce. Continue cooking, alternating flipping and basting every minute until internal temperature reaches 75°C/165°F, approximately 10 minutes total.
- For chicken breast, follow similar technique: cook first side 2 minutes, flip, baste, and continue cooking, flipping and basting every 45 seconds until internal temperature hits 66°C/151°F, roughly 8 minutes.
- Transfer cooked chicken to serving plate, loosely tent with foil, and allow to rest for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions, serving additional sauce on side for personalized enjoyment.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for at least 3 hours to maximize flavor absorption and tenderize the meat effectively.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure precise cooking temperatures, preventing dry or undercooked chicken.
- Customize the sweetness by adjusting honey levels – less for a tangier taste, more for increased caramelization.
- Gluten-free option: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos for celiac-friendly preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (excluding marinade time)
- Cook Time: 20–23 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 346 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 1310 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg