Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken
Chicken thighs are braised in a sweet and savory sauce made with soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and ginger for a flavorful and tender dish. This easy, one-pot stovetop recipe cooks in about 30 minutes and is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs approximately 5-6 thighs
- 1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
- 0.75 cup reduced sodium or lite soy sauce
- 0.5 cup light brown sugar packed
- 0.33 cup mirin
- 0.25 cup rice vinegar also labeled rice wine vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic finely minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger or 1.5 teaspoons dried ginger
- 3 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
Optional Garnish
- thinly sliced green onions
- sesame seeds
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- Place the chicken in the Dutch oven or skillet with the skin side up; set aside briefly.
- In a small bowl, add the broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Whisk to combine and evenly pour the mixture over the chicken.
- Bring to a boil over high heat. After the liquid boils, turn the heat to medium-low or low and simmer for about 30 minutes, flipping the chicken over once midway through cooking. This is technically braising, meaning cooking in liquid over lower heat.
- Ensure chicken thighs reach an internal temperature of 170-175°F for optimal tenderness.
- After the thighs are done, remove them from the skillet and place on a plate momentarily. Keep the cooking liquids in the bottom of the skillet.
- In a small bowl, stir together the water and cornstarch to make a slurry.
- Add the slurry to the liquid in the bottom of the skillet, add the red pepper flakes, stir to combine, and heat over medium to medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce begins to bubble lightly and thicken. Stir nearly continuously.
- Add the chicken back into the pot, flip it over a few times and toss it around to coat it on all sides with the sauce.
- Optionally, evenly garnish with green onions or sesame seeds.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
Leftovers will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or as desired.
Nutrition
Serving: 200gCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 120gProtein: 120gFat: 120gSaturated Fat: 120gPolyunsaturated Fat: 120gMonounsaturated Fat: 120gTrans Fat: 120gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 120gSugar: 120gVitamin A: 120IUVitamin C: 120mgCalcium: 120mgIron: 120mg
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