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20-Min Soy Garlic Chicken Recipe

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Soy Garlic Chicken is everything you want in a quick, flavorful weeknight dinner—savory, garlicky, and beautifully glazed. The sauce is a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and rich umami, and the chicken stays juicy thanks to a clever slicing trick. You will only need a few simple ingredients and 20 minutes of your time. Let’s make it!

Soy Garlic Chicken Recipe

Serves: 2 to 4
Prep time: 6 minutes
Cook time: 14 minutes

For the chicken:
4 pieces (1 ½ pounds) chicken thighs, boneless
Pinch of salt
Pinch of white pepper, or replace with black pepper
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon oil
6 cloves garlic, minced

For the sauce:
4 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons rice wine, or replace with water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey

Soy Garlic Chicken Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken:

  • Slice each chicken thigh about 1 inch apart without cutting all the way through. This helps the chicken absorb more flavor and cook faster.
  • Season both sides with salt and white pepper.
  • Lightly dust both sides with cornstarch and shake off the excess.

2. Make the soy garlic sauce:

  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice wine, brown sugar, and honey until well combined.

3. Cook the soy garlic chicken:

  • In a pan over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon of oil and place the chicken skin side down.
  • Pan-fry for 4 minutes until golden brown. Flip and fry the other side for another 4 minutes.
  • Add the minced garlic and pour in the soy garlic sauce.
  • Flip the chicken back to skin side down, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Uncover, flip again, and reduce the sauce for 2 minutes, basting occasionally.
  • Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

Tips & notes

  • Soy sauce adds savory depth and saltiness.
  • Rice wine helps eliminate any gamey flavor and adds aroma.
  • Brown sugar contributes a rich caramel flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
  • Honey adds a floral sweetness and gives the glaze a beautiful shine.

10 thoughts on “20-Min Soy Garlic Chicken Recipe”

      1. CiCi Li

        Hi Derek, thank you so much! I’m so glad you found me, and I’m thrilled you’re enjoying the recipes!

        Reply
    1. CiCi Li

      Aloha Terry, I’m so glad that you enjoyed this garlic chicken recipe. Can’t wait for you to try more recipes!

      Reply

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