Tender Braised Chicken in Soy Sauce
Deliciously Savory Braised Chicken in Soy Sauce: A Perfect Dinner Menu
Experience the incredibly tender texture of chicken, made even more irresistible with a savory and sweet soy sauce glaze that seeps deep into every bite. This dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! (Recipe inspired by ‘Sumi’s Side Dishes’ for enhanced flavor.)
Main Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken (approx. 1.4kg)
- 2 large pieces of rehydrated dried kelp (kombu)
- 2 potatoes
- 1 dried chili pepper
- 2 Korean green chili peppers (cheongyang)
- 1 red chili pepper
- 2/3 tsp soy sauce (for basic seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 500ml water
- Optional ingredients: Shiitake mushrooms, carrots, whole garlic cloves (add for extra flavor!)
Marinade/Sauce
- 2 Tbsp regular soy sauce (jin ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp soup soy sauce (guk ganjang)
- 1 tsp plum extract (maesil cheong)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
For Serving
- Radish salad (mu saengchae)
- Washed aged kimchi (mukimchi)
- 2 Tbsp regular soy sauce (jin ganjang)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp soup soy sauce (guk ganjang)
- 1 tsp plum extract (maesil cheong)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of black pepper
For Serving
- Radish salad (mu saengchae)
- Washed aged kimchi (mukimchi)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by trimming off any excess fat from the rear end of the chicken. This step helps to create a cleaner flavor and a more refined dish.
Step 2
To ensure the sauce penetrates deeply, make diagonal slits into the back of the chicken pieces. These cuts will allow the savory marinade to soak in beautifully, enhancing the overall taste.
Step 3
Cut the rehydrated dried kelp into bite-sized pieces, roughly 5x5cm. Peel the potatoes and cut them into halves. If desired, you can cut them into quarters for smaller portions.
Step 4
In a bowl, combine the regular soy sauce, sugar, soup soy sauce, plum extract, minced garlic, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined to create your flavorful sauce. This simple mixture is key to the dish’s deliciousness!
Step 5
Heat olive oil in a preheated pot over medium heat. Add the prepared chicken pieces and sear them on all sides until lightly browned, about 3 minutes in total. This searing locks in the juices, ensuring a tender and moist chicken.
Step 6
Arrange the kelp, potatoes, dried chili, green chilies, and red chili on top of the chicken. Pour in the prepared sauce and 500ml of water. (Feel free to add shiitake mushrooms, carrots, or whole garlic cloves if you have them on hand for an even richer dish!) Cover the pot, bring to a simmer over medium heat for 30 minutes, then reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for another 10 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld beautifully. This completes your delicious braised chicken!
Step 7
During the cooking process, remember to periodically spoon the simmering sauce from the bottom of the pot over the chicken pieces. This basting action ensures that the flavorful glaze coats the chicken evenly, infusing it with deep, savory notes.
Step 8
Serve your beautifully braised soy sauce chicken hot, perhaps over a bed of steamed rice. For an extra burst of flavor and texture, enjoy it wrapped in refreshing radish salad and tangy, washed aged kimchi. The combination of tender chicken, rich sauce, and vibrant side dishes is simply exquisite! This dish is perfect for special occasions or for elevating an everyday meal into something truly memorable.
