Golden Soy Sauce Baked Chicken with Salad
Homemade Soy Sauce Chicken and Salad for a Perfect Meal
Enjoy this delicious soy sauce baked chicken and salad, perfect for game nights, parties, or a delightful dinner. The savory chicken and refreshing salad make a fantastic combination.
Salad Ingredients- 1 head of lettuce
- 10 cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cucumber
Soy Sauce Marinade for Chicken- 1 whole chicken (approx. 1kg)
- 500ml milk (for deodorizing)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (like mirin or sake)
- 1 Tbsp agave syrup (or corn syrup) – adjust to taste
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 whole chicken (approx. 1kg)
- 500ml milk (for deodorizing)
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp cooking wine (like mirin or sake)
- 1 Tbsp agave syrup (or corn syrup) – adjust to taste
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the salad greens: Thoroughly wash the lettuce. Fill a bowl with cold water and add ice cubes. Submerge the lettuce for about 30 minutes. This step makes the lettuce extra crisp and refreshing. Just before serving, gently tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and drain well.
Step 2
Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the cucumber into thin rounds or desired pieces. Arrange the prepared lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber on a platter. Serve with your favorite store-bought salad dressing for a fresh and vibrant salad.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the star of the meal: the soy sauce baked chicken! Rinse the chicken and place it in a bowl with milk for about 30 minutes to remove any gamey odor. After soaking, pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels. Make several shallow cuts into the chicken’s skin and flesh; this helps the marinade penetrate deeply for maximum flavor.
Step 4
Make the soy sauce marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of cooking wine, 1 tablespoon of agave syrup (or corn syrup), 1 tablespoon of minced garlic, a pinch of black pepper, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Whisk everything together until well combined. You can adjust the sweetness by reducing or omitting the agave syrup, or add 1-2 extra tablespoons of soy sauce if you prefer a saltier flavor.
Step 5
Marinate the chicken: Generously coat the entire chicken, inside and out, with the prepared soy sauce mixture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the chicken to an airtight container. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. For an even deeper flavor, marinating for 2-3 hours is recommended as it allows the sauce to soak into the meat.
Step 6
Prepare for baking: Place the marinated chicken on an oven rack, ensuring there’s a baking sheet or foil underneath to catch any drippings. Lining the bottom of your oven with aluminum foil beforehand will make cleanup significantly easier after cooking. Highly recommended!
Step 7
Bake the chicken: Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Place the chicken in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. About halfway through, around the 20-minute mark, carefully open the oven and turn the chicken over to ensure even cooking. Ovens can vary, so if the chicken isn’t fully cooked after 30 minutes, continue baking for another 5-10 minutes. If the skin starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the chicken with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
Step 8
Serve and enjoy: Ta-da! Your beautiful, golden soy sauce baked chicken is ready! Serve it hot for the best flavor. Enjoy this delicious dish with the fresh salad for a complete and satisfying meal!
