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Shoyu Chicken Recipe

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4.2 from 15 reviews

Shoyu Chicken is a flavorful Japanese-inspired dish featuring tender, bone-in chicken thighs simmered in a savory and slightly sweet soy-based sauce. This easy-to-make recipe brings together the rich taste of shoyu, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar to create a delightful meal perfect for serving over rice.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 2 pounds skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (about 4 pieces)

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup shoyu (Japanese soy sauce)
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 3 garlic cloves, smashed
  • 1 2-inch knob of ginger, peeled and sliced

Garnish (optional)

  • 2 stalks green onions, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Brown the Chicken: Over medium-high heat, place the skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs skin-side down in a saucepan. Brown them for about 5 minutes until the skin develops a deep golden color, enhancing flavor and texture.
  2. Prepare the Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine shoyu, sugar, water, and rice vinegar. Mix well until the sugar begins to dissolve. Pour this mixture evenly over the browned chicken in the saucepan.
  3. Add Aromatics and Simmer: Add the smashed garlic cloves and sliced ginger to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover with a lid and let the chicken simmer skin-side up for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse and the chicken to cook through.
  4. Turn and Continue Cooking: Remove the lid and carefully turn the chicken skin-side down. Continue simmering uncovered for another 10 minutes to finish cooking and to slightly reduce the sauce around the chicken.
  5. Remove Chicken and Reduce Sauce: Transfer the cooked chicken to a serving plate. Increase the heat to medium and reduce the remaining sauce in the pan until it thickens to a honey-like consistency, creating a rich glaze.
  6. Serve and Garnish: Serve the chicken hot over a bowl of steamed rice. Drizzle generously with the thickened sauce and finish with a sprinkle of chopped green onions and sesame seeds for added flavor and a beautiful presentation.

Notes

  • For best results, use skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs for moisture and flavor.
  • Do not skip browning the chicken as it adds important color and depth to the dish.
  • Adjust sugar quantity according to your preferred sweetness level.
  • Green onions and sesame seeds are optional but add freshness and a nutty crunch.
  • This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed white or brown rice.
  • Make sure to simmer on low heat to avoid burning the sauce.
  • Author: Monica
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Japanese

Find it online: https://monicarecipes.com/shoyu-chicken-recipe/