To make the best soy-glazed chicken, you’ll want to balance sweet, savory, and umami flavors while ensuring the chicken remains tender and juicy. Here’s a recipe that should deliver on all fronts:
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (use low sodium if preferred)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
- Cooking oil (such as vegetable or canola oil)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. This helps them cook evenly.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Make the Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil until well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken:
- Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag.
- Pour about half of the glaze over the chicken, making sure it’s evenly coated.
- Reserve the remaining glaze for later use.
- Marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat and add a little cooking oil to coat the bottom.
- Once the pan is hot, add the chicken breasts, shaking off any excess marinade. Discard the used marinade.
- Cook the chicken for about 6-7 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and browned on the outside. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C).
- Make the Glaze (Again):
- While the chicken is cooking, pour the reserved glaze into a small saucepan.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together cornstarch and water to make a slurry.
- Bring the glaze to a simmer over medium heat.
- Stir in the cornstarch slurry and continue to simmer for 1-2 minutes, or until the glaze thickens slightly.
- Remove the glaze from heat.
- Glaze the Chicken:
- Once the chicken is cooked through, brush the thickened glaze over the chicken breasts while they’re still hot.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing.
- Serve:
- Serve the soy-glazed chicken hot, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions if desired.
- You can pair it with steamed rice and vegetables for a complete meal.
Enjoy your delicious homemade soy-glazed chicken!
