Savory Braised Chicken Thighs in Soy Sauce
The Ultimate Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe
This dish is a guaranteed hit with husbands and children alike, instantly evoking the desire for a cold beer! The tender chicken thighs coated in a sweet and savory soy sauce glaze are incredibly delicious and satisfying.
Main Ingredients- Chicken thigh meat 600g (skin and excess fat removed)
- Onion 1/4 (thinly sliced)
- Garlic 3 cloves (minced or thinly sliced)
- Milk 190g (for tenderizing and removing gaminess)
Flavorful Marinade- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (or cooking sake) 2 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp (adjust to taste)
- Oyster sauce 1 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup) 1 Tbsp (for gloss)
- Ginger powder a pinch (or 1/2 tsp grated ginger)
- Herbed salt (for seasoning chicken)
- Olive oil (for cooking the chicken)
- Soy sauce 2 Tbsp
- Mirin (or cooking sake) 2 Tbsp
- Sugar 1 Tbsp (adjust to taste)
- Oyster sauce 1 Tbsp
- Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup) 1 Tbsp (for gloss)
- Ginger powder a pinch (or 1/2 tsp grated ginger)
- Herbed salt (for seasoning chicken)
- Olive oil (for cooking the chicken)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by preparing the chicken. Rinse the chicken thigh meat and place it in a bowl with 190g of milk. Let it soak for 10 minutes. This crucial step helps to eliminate any unwanted gaminess and makes the chicken incredibly tender.
Step 2
After soaking, drain the chicken from the milk and pat it dry with paper towels. While the chicken rests, thinly slice 1/4 onion and mince 3 cloves of garlic. Once prepped, season the chicken thighs generously with herbed salt.
Step 3
In a pan, heat a little olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the seasoned chicken thighs until they are golden brown on all sides, locking in the juices. (If using an air fryer: Place the chicken in a preheated air fryer at 200°C (400°F) for 10 minutes.)
Step 4
Let’s create the delicious glaze! In a small bowl, combine 2 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp mirin, 1 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp oligosaccharide, and a pinch of ginger powder. Whisk everything together until well combined. Feel free to adjust the sweetness by modifying the sugar or oligosaccharide amount.
Step 5
If you’re using an air fryer, place the chicken thighs in the preheated 200°C (400°F) air fryer for the first 10 minutes. This initial searing helps to crisp the exterior while keeping the inside moist.
Step 6
After the first 10 minutes, carefully flip the chicken thighs over and continue to air fry at 200°C (400°F) for another 10 minutes, ensuring both sides are nicely browned and cooked through.
Step 7
Cut the cooked chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, combine the chicken with the sliced onions, minced garlic, and the prepared soy sauce glaze. Toss everything together to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Transfer this mixture back to the air fryer and cook at 120°C (250°F) for 5 minutes. This final step allows the glaze to thicken slightly and cling beautifully to the chicken, creating a lovely sheen.
Step 8
Your flavorful Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs are ready! Serve hot with steamed rice for a satisfying meal, or pair with your favorite beverage for a delightful appetizer or snack. Enjoy this crowd-pleasing dish!
