Soy Sauce Chicken

2024-11-03 /Posted byYoga Pit / 25

Conquer your salty-sweet cravings with this Cantonese classic!

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Also known as see yao gai in Cantonese, this rich chicken dish is a major Chinese favorite. With a smooth, dark sauce and fall-off-the-bone meat, soy sauce chicken is a truly delectable meal. While it’s especially delicious served on a bed of Asian Rice, you can also top it on Soba Noodles or even shred it and put it in a BBQ-style sandwich. That’s how versatile this dish is!

My favorite part of this dish is how it’s a healthier alternative to Chinese takeout, yet it’s ultra flavorful! The mouthwatering combo of salty, sweet, and umami flavors brings the best of Chinese cuisine straight to your table. I’ll likely be making it again as soon as the craving for takeout hits. And once you try it, chances are you’ll be doing the same!

Is Soy Sauce Chicken Healthy?

Though it’s probably a healthier alternative to takeout, this dish is very high in sodium and fat, so it shouldn’t be eaten too often. To modify it, you can replace the soy sauce with coconut aminos. This sauce is just as rich but slightly sweeter and has far less sodium (it’s also 100% gluten-free, unlike most soy sauces). Chicken is a source of protein, and you can always add a side of vegetables to the dish to make it more nutritious.

What Is Soy Sauce?

Soy sauce is believed to have originated in China over 2,000 years ago. It is typically made by fermenting cooked soybeans and roasted wheat, which is mixed with saltwater and undergoes a long fermentation process. So, in a way, it’s like wine: aged to perfection, getting more flavorful and rich as time goes by. This is what makes our recipe here such a delectable delicacy!

INGREDIENTS

4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 slices ginger
2 scallions, chopped
2 star anise
3/4 cup light soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
1/3 cup Shaoxing wine
2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cups water
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons water

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare

Gather ingredients, clean chicken, sauté ginger and scallions.

Simmer

Add remaining ingredients and chicken to pot; simmer.

Serve

Remove chicken, thicken and strain sauce, and pour over chicken.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store

You can make the sauce the night before, just make sure you let it cool before refrigerating. The next day, you can proceed with the rest of the recipe.
Once cooked, leftover soy sauce chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the oven the next day at 350°F for 15 minutes, or until the internal temp reaches 165°F.

What does soy sauce do to meat?

It actually tenderizes it. Marinating chicken for longer than 2 days can make the meat mushy, but with just the right amount of time, soy sauce not only tenderizes the meat but also enhances its flavor.

What can I add to soy sauce?

You can indeed add more to this soy sauce mixture. A bit of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar is perfect for this kind of dynamic. You can also play with your favorite herbs and spices for extra freshness and heat.

Serving Suggestions

I recommend trying this saucy chicken with a buddha-ful bowl of Asian Ramen Slaw. Is it a salad or noodles? Who knows! All I know is it’s super delicious. For something simpler but just as delightful, try a side of Air-Fryer Egg Rolls or Grilled Sweet Potatoes.