Soy Sauce Chicken (See Yao Gai)

Enjoy this delicious Cantonese Soy Sauce Chicken that is bursting with flavor.

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Although I often make chicken with soy sauce (or tamari or coconut aminos for gluten-free), I have never made soy sauce chicken until now. Who knew it was an actual named dish? This delicious Cantonese favorite, see yao gai, is packed with unbelievable flavor. Best of all, it’s so easy to prepare at home.

First, this dish requires some pre-planning, as you have to take the chicken out of the fridge an hour before cooking it. It needs to be room temperature when you add it to the pot. Although many recommendations today say not to wash chicken before cooking, this recipe requires you to rinse the chicken inside and out. Be careful not to let the water splatter, and clean the sink, faucet, and counters thoroughly after rinsing.

It’s best to use a pot slightly larger than the chicken, as it needs to be completely submerged in the liquid while cooking. An overly large pot will be too big for this recipe. If the top part of the chicken is not submerged, uncover the pot every 20 minutes and spoon some of the liquid over the top before replacing the cover.

Is Soy Sauce Chicken Healthy?

We often think of braised chicken dishes as healthy. However, this recipe is loaded with sodium from the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and two teaspoons of added salt. If high-sodium content is a problem, I recommend switching to a low-sodium soy sauce and decreasing the added salt. The dish will taste different but still be delicious. It is also high in sugar from the cooking wine and the added sugar. Make the meal healthier by serving the chicken with steamed or air-fried vegetables.

What Is Shaoxing Wine?

Shaoxing wine is a dark, amber-colored rice wine, also known as Shao-hsing wine and Chinese cooking wine. It’s popular in Chinese cooking, especially for marinades, sauces, braised meats, and stir-fries. It is not typically gluten-free, as the fermentation process uses wheat, so check the labels if you are gluten-intolerant.

You will probably have to visit a local Chinese market or shop online to find this cooking wine. While some of the more expensive bottles of Shaoxing wine are for drinking warm, you can also use them for cooking. However, you do not need a more expensive drinking version for cooking.

FAQs & Tips

HOW DO I STORE LEFTOVERS?

Once the chicken cools to room temperature, refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 4 days to prevent moisture loss. Once it has been chilled in the fridge, it can also be frozen in a heavy-duty freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

SUBSTITUTES FOR SHAOXING WINE

Dry sherry is the best alternative that is closest in flavor, is gluten-free and can be used as a 1:1 substitution. You could also use mirin, but as it’s a sweeter product, reduce the amount of added sugar you include in the dish.

IS THIS DISH GLUTEN-FREE?

No, as it is written, it is not gluten-free due to the wheat used in producing the Shaoxing wine and soy sauce. Find a GF version of Shaoxing cooking wine or use dry sherry instead. Replace the soy sauce with gluten-free soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos (which will alter the taste of the chicken slightly).

Serving Suggestions

Soy sauce chicken makes a beautiful statement when brought to the table whole, much like you would with a Thanksgiving turkey. Carve it at the table and serve it with Steamed Rice, Air-Fryer Potstickers, Sautéed Broccolini, or Vegetable Stir-Fry. If you want a healthier version of a classic appetizer, try these Baked Egg Rolls. Finish your meal with this Iced Matcha Latte Recipe and sit back and relax.