Description
Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs feature tender, juicy chicken thighs marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and honey, then cooked to golden caramelized perfection. This quick and easy recipe is packed with umami flavors and ideal for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Crispy skin, balanced seasoning, and a luscious homemade soy garlic sauce make it a family-friendly favorite that’s versatile for many cuisines.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use low sodium for less salt or tamari for gluten-free)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced or grated
- 2 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, minced garlic, honey or brown sugar, rice vinegar, grated ginger, sesame oil, and freshly cracked black pepper until the honey dissolves, creating a smooth and aromatic marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken thighs in a large resealable bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal or cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours for deeper flavor.
- Preheat Your Pan or Oven: For stovetop cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. For oven roasting, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook the Chicken Thighs: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. For skillet cooking, place skin side down and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden and crisp, then flip and cook the other side for 5-6 minutes until cooked through. For oven roasting, place thighs skin side up on a lined baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until fully cooked.
- Reduce the Marinade: While chicken cooks, pour leftover marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5 minutes until it thickens into a glossy sauce to drizzle over the chicken.
- Garnish and Serve: Plate the cooked chicken, drizzle with the reduced soy garlic sauce, and sprinkle with chopped green onions for a fresh finish.
Notes
- Leave skin on chicken thighs for crispy, flavorful bites.
- Cook chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding and steaming.
- Allow chicken to come to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking for even cooking.
- Marinate between 30 minutes and 4 hours; avoid overnight marinating to prevent overly salty or mushy meat.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety and juiciness.
- Always boil leftover marinade to eliminate any bacteria before using as a sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Soy Garlic Chicken, Chicken Thighs, Easy Chicken Recipe, Asian Chicken, Gluten-Free Dinner, Weeknight Meal, Sticky Chicken, Garlic Soy Sauce
