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Honey Soy Chicken with Marinade and Serving Sauce Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 73 reviews
  • Author: Ethan
  • Total Time: 24 hours 20 minutes (including marinating time)
  • Yield: Serves 4 to 6 1x

Description

This Honey Soy Chicken recipe offers a deliciously sweet and savory marinade and sauce, perfect for grilling or stovetop cooking. Tender boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts are marinated in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, honey, vinegar, Chinese cooking wine, sesame oil, and garlic, then cooked to juicy perfection and served with a thickened dipping sauce. Garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, this dish brings vibrant Asian-inspired flavors to your table, ideal for a weeknight dinner or special gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1.25 – 1.5 kg (2.5 – 3 lb) skinless boneless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking)

Marinade and Sauce

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce (all purpose or light, not dark)
  • 2/3 cup honey (can substitute with maple syrup)
  • 1/3 cup cider vinegar (or rice vinegar)
  • 1/4 cup Chinese cooking wine or dry sherry
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 1/2 tbsp finely minced garlic
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 1/2 tsp cornflour (cornstarch)

Garnish

  • Green onion, finely sliced
  • Sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Make the Marinade Sauce: In a jug, combine the soy sauce, honey, cider vinegar, Chinese cooking wine, toasted sesame oil, and finely minced garlic. Stir well until the honey is completely dissolved to form the marinade.
  2. Reserve Sauces: Set aside 1/4 cup of the marinade for basting and refrigerate. Also reserve 2/3 cup for the serving sauce and refrigerate separately.
  3. Marinate the Chicken: Place the remaining marinade over the chicken in a container, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours, allowing at least 3 hours for the flavors to penetrate the meat.
  4. Prepare the Serving Sauce: Pour the reserved 2/3 cup marinade into a small saucepan. In a separate bowl, mix the cornflour with water until smooth, then add this mixture into the saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring regularly until the sauce thickens to a syrupy consistency. Adjust thickness with a little more water if needed, then keep warm.
  5. Preheat Cooking Surface: Brush your BBQ grill or a large skillet with vegetable oil and heat to medium-high.
  6. Cook the Chicken (Thighs): For chicken thighs placed on the BBQ, cook the first side for 2 minutes. Flip, brush with the reserved basting sauce, and cook 2 minutes more. Continue flipping and basting every 1 minute for a total cooking time of about 10 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).
  7. Cook the Chicken (Breasts): For breasts, cook the first side for 2 minutes, flip and baste, then cook for another 2 minutes. Flip and baste every 45 seconds approximately, for a total of about 8 minutes or until the temperature reaches 66°C (151°F).
  8. Rest the Chicken: Transfer the cooked chicken to a serving plate, loosely cover with foil, and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  9. Serve: Serve the chicken garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onion. Place the thickened sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling as desired.

Notes

  • Note 1: You can use skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breasts depending on preference. Thighs tend to be juicier and more forgiving during grilling.
  • Note 2: Use all-purpose or light soy sauce rather than dark soy sauce to maintain the desired flavor balance and color.
  • Note 3: Chinese cooking wine or dry sherry adds an authentic depth of flavor and is a key ingredient in the marinade.
  • Note 4: Toasted sesame oil provides a nutty aroma and rich flavor. Do not substitute with plain sesame oil.
  • Note 5: Reserving portions of the marinade before adding to raw chicken is crucial for safety and used for basting and serving sauce.
  • Always ensure the internal temperature of chicken reaches safe cooking temperatures (75°C/165°F for thighs, 66°C/151°F for breasts) to guarantee food safety.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes plus 24 to 48 hours marinating
  • Cook Time: 8 to 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Grilling
  • Cuisine: Asian

Keywords: Honey soy chicken, grilled chicken, Asian marinade, chicken thighs, chicken breasts, honey soy sauce, easy dinner, BBQ chicken

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Find it online: https://theethankitchen.com/honey-soy-chicken-with-marinade-and-serving-sauce-recipe/