Sweet & Savory Honey Soy Braised Chicken
Perfect for the Holidays! Honey Soy Braised Chicken Recipe
Create a delicious Honey Soy Braised Chicken that the whole family will love, perfect for Christmas or any special occasion. It’s a wonderful dish that will satisfy everyone from kids to adults.
Main Ingredients- 1 pack (600g) chicken
- 250g sweet potatoes
- 5 cloves garlic
- Approx. 1/4 each of yellow and red bell peppers
- 1 Tbsp butter
Chicken Marinade- 2 Tbsp rice wine (or soju/mirin)
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of salt
Honey Soy Sauce- 5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 3 Tbsp mirin (cooking wine)
- 5 Tbsp water
- Pinch of ginger powder (optional)
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 0.5 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp rice wine (or soju/mirin)
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of salt
Honey Soy Sauce- 5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp honey
- 3 Tbsp mirin (cooking wine)
- 5 Tbsp water
- Pinch of ginger powder (optional)
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 0.5 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, rinse the chicken pieces thoroughly under cold running water. Place the chicken in a bowl and gently mix with 2 tablespoons of rice wine, a pinch of black pepper, and a pinch of salt. This step is crucial for removing any gamey odor from the chicken. (Tip: For even more tender and odor-free chicken, you can soak it in milk for about 30 minutes before marinating and rinsing.)
Step 2
Wash the sweet potatoes well, then peel and cut them into bite-sized pieces, similar in size to the chicken pieces. Be careful not to cut them too small, as they might break apart during cooking.
Step 3
Heat a pan over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the butter is melted, spread the marinated chicken and cut sweet potatoes evenly in the pan. Using butter adds a wonderful depth of flavor. If you don’t have butter, regular cooking oil works just fine.
Step 4
Cover the pan with a lid and cook over medium heat, flipping the chicken and sweet potatoes occasionally to ensure even cooking. Cooking over high heat can burn the outside while leaving the inside undercooked, so it’s best to be patient and cook thoroughly over medium heat.
Step 5
While the chicken and sweet potatoes are cooking, prepare the vegetables for the braise. Slice the yellow and red bell peppers into manageable pieces, removing the seeds. You can leave the garlic cloves whole or slice them.
Step 6
Check to ensure the chicken and sweet potatoes are 100% cooked through. The chicken skin should be golden brown and crispy. Once cooked, transfer the chicken and sweet potatoes to a separate bowl.
Step 7
Now, let’s make the delicious honey soy sauce! Using the same pan (or a clean one), add a little oil over low heat. Add the garlic and sauté until fragrant.
Step 8
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the sliced bell peppers and stir-fry them briefly. (Bell peppers add a lovely color and sweetness, making this dish great for kids. If you prefer a spicier kick, you can add finely chopped chili peppers like Cheongyang or red chilies at this stage.)
Step 9
Add the sauce ingredients to the pan: 5 tablespoons of soy sauce, 5 tablespoons of water, 3 tablespoons of mirin, 3 tablespoons of honey, and a pinch of ginger powder. Stir everything together well.
Step 10
Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and let it simmer until it slightly thickens. Be mindful of the consistency; you don’t want it to become too thick or too salty.
Step 11
Once the sauce has reached a slightly reduced consistency, return the cooked chicken and sweet potatoes to the pan. Toss them gently to coat evenly with the sauce.
Step 12
Continue to braise everything together until the chicken and sweet potatoes are beautifully glazed and the sauce has thickened further. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Step 13
Just before turning off the heat, stir in 0.5 tablespoon of sesame oil and 0.5 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds. This will add a wonderful nutty aroma and finish the dish perfectly.
Step 14
Your festive Honey Soy Braised Chicken is ready! It looks as good as it tastes and will be a delightful centerpiece for your holiday table.
