Soy sauce chicken is a beloved dish in many Asian cuisines, especially in Chinese and Japanese cooking. The rich, savory flavors of soy sauce blend perfectly with the tender, juicy chicken, creating a dish that is both comforting and flavorful. This article will explore different soy sauce chicken recipes, from the traditional to the innovative, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Classic Chinese Soy Sauce Chicken
Ingredients:
1 whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs)
1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup dark soy sauce
1/2 cup Shaoxing wine (Chinese cooking wine)
1/2 cup rock sugar or brown sugar
5 slices ginger
5 cloves garlic, smashed
3 stalks green onions, cut into halves
2 star anise
1 cinnamon stick
4 cups water
Instructions:
Preparation: Clean the chicken and remove any excess fat. Pat dry with paper towels.
Cooking the Sauce: In a large pot, combine soy sauce, dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, rock sugar, ginger, garlic, green onions, star anise, cinnamon stick, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for about 10 minutes.
Cooking the Chicken: Gently lower the chicken into the pot, ensuring it is fully submerged in the liquid. Bring the mixture back to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 40-50 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.
Serving: Carefully remove the chicken from the pot and let it rest for a few minutes. Chop into pieces and serve with the sauce poured over the top. Garnish with fresh green onions.
Japanese Soy Sauce Chicken
Ingredients:
4 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup mirin
1/4 cup sake
2 tablespoons sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 small piece of ginger, minced
Instructions:
Marinating the Chicken: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, garlic, and ginger. Add chicken thighs and marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably overnight.
Cooking the Chicken: Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs, skin side down, and cook until the skin is golden brown. Flip and cook the other side until browned.
Simmering: Pour the marinade into the skillet, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked.
Serving: Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest. Reduce the sauce slightly until thickened, then pour over the chicken. Serve with steamed rice and vegetables.
Soy Sauce Chicken Wings
Ingredients:
2 lbs chicken wings
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons sesame oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions:
Marinating the Wings: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and rice vinegar. Add chicken wings and marinate for at least 1 hour.
Baking: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Arrange the wings on the rack and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the wings are crispy and cooked through.
Glazing: In a small saucepan, bring the leftover marinade to a boil and cook until slightly thickened. Brush the glaze over the baked wings.
Serving: Sprinkle with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Serve hot.
Slow Cooker Soy Sauce Chicken
Ingredients:
4 chicken breasts or thighs
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup chicken broth
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Steamed vegetables for serving
Instructions:
Preparing the Sauce: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, chicken broth, garlic, ginger, and chili flakes.
Slow Cooking: Place chicken in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over it. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
Thickening the Sauce: Remove chicken from the slow cooker. Mix cornstarch and water to make a slurry, then add to the sauce. Cook on high for 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Serving: Serve the chicken with the thickened sauce over steamed rice and vegetables.
Soy sauce chicken is a versatile dish that can be adapted to different cooking methods and flavor profiles. Whether you prefer the rich, deep flavors of the classic Chinese recipe, the slightly sweet and savory Japanese version, or the convenience of slow-cooked or baked wings, there’s a soy sauce chicken recipe for everyone. Enjoy experimenting with these recipes and discovering your favorite version of this delicious dish.
Soy Sauce Chicken Stir-Fry
Ingredients:
1 lb chicken breast, thinly sliced
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 bell pepper, sliced
1 carrot, julienned
1 small broccoli crown, cut into florets
1/4 cup water
2 green onions, sliced
Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions:
Marinating the Chicken: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, and hoisin sauce. Add sliced chicken and marinate for at least 20 minutes.
Stir-Frying: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add garlic and ginger, stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add marinated chicken and cook until browned and cooked through.
Adding Vegetables: Add bell pepper, carrot, and broccoli to the skillet. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp. Add water to help steam the vegetables if needed.
Finishing Touches: Stir in green onions and cook for another minute. Remove from heat.
Serving: Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds, over steamed rice or noodles.
Soy Sauce Chicken Drumsticks
Ingredients:
8 chicken drumsticks
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
Preparing the Marinade: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, smoked paprika, and black pepper. Mix well.
Marinating the Drumsticks: Place chicken drumsticks in a large resealable bag or container.
Pour the marinade over the drumsticks, seal, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange the drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake for 35-40 minutes, turning halfway through, until the drumsticks are fully cooked and caramelized.
Serving: Serve the drumsticks hot, with a side of coleslaw or roasted vegetables.
Soy Sauce Chicken with Mushrooms
Ingredients:
4 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons rice wine
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 cup sliced mushrooms (shiitake, button, or cremini)
2 green onions, sliced
Cooked rice for serving
Instructions:
Preparing the Sauce: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, chicken broth, rice wine, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.
Cooking the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat a bit of oil over medium heat. Add chicken thighs and cook until browned on both sides. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Cooking the Mushrooms: In the same skillet, add mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and start to brown.
Combining and Simmering: Return chicken to the skillet. Pour the sauce over the chicken and mushrooms. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is slightly thickened.
Serving: Serve the chicken and mushrooms over cooked rice, garnished with sliced green onions.
Soy sauce chicken is a versatile dish that allows for endless creativity in the kitchen. Whether you are looking for a quick stir-fry, a comforting slow-cooked meal, or a flavorful baked dish, soy sauce chicken recipes offer something for everyone. The common element across these recipes is the rich umami flavor of soy sauce, which enhances the natural taste of chicken and creates a delightful culinary experience.
Experiment with these recipes, and don’t be afraid to make them your own by adding your favorite vegetables, spices, or side dishes. Soy sauce chicken is not only delicious but also adaptable, making it a perfect addition to your recipe repertoire.
Soy Sauce Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
Mixed salad greens (spinach, arugula, lettuce)
1 cucumber, sliced
1 carrot, julienned
1 red bell pepper, sliced
2 green onions, sliced
1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
Instructions:
Marinating the Chicken: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. Add chicken breasts and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Cooking the Chicken: Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Grill the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes, then slice thinly.
Preparing the Salad: In a large bowl, combine mixed salad greens, cucumber, carrot, red bell pepper, and green onions.
Assembling the Salad: Top the salad with sliced chicken and toasted sesame seeds. Drizzle with additional dressing if desired.
Serving: Serve immediately, enjoying the fresh, crunchy vegetables paired with the savory soy sauce chicken.
Soy Sauce Chicken Rice Bowl
Ingredients:
4 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup mirin
2 tablespoons sake
2 tablespoons sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
Steamed rice
Pickled vegetables (optional)
Chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions:
Preparing the Marinade: In a bowl, combine soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, garlic, and ginger.
Marinating the Chicken: Add chicken thighs to the marinade and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Cooking the Chicken: Heat a bit of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet and slice.
Preparing the Rice Bowl: Divide steamed rice into bowls. Top with sliced chicken and pickled vegetables if using.
Garnishing: Sprinkle with chopped green onions. Serve hot.
Soy Sauce Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients:
2 chicken breasts
6 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon fish sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 carrot, sliced
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 cups baby spinach
2 green onions, sliced
8 oz noodles (ramen, udon, or rice noodles)
Instructions:
Cooking the Chicken: In a large pot, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add chicken breasts and cook until fully cooked, about 10-15 minutes. Remove chicken and shred.
Preparing the Soup: Add soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, carrot, and mushrooms to the pot. Simmer for 10 minutes until vegetables are tender.
Cooking the Noodles: In a separate pot, cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Assembling the Soup: Add shredded chicken and spinach to the broth. Cook until spinach is wilted. Divide noodles into bowls and ladle the hot soup over the top.
Serving: Garnish with sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Soy sauce chicken recipes are a testament to the versatility and richness of Asian cuisine.
Whether you prefer the hearty comfort of a chicken rice bowl, the refreshing crunch of a salad, or the warm embrace of a noodle soup, soy sauce chicken can be adapted to suit your culinary cravings. The depth of flavor provided by soy sauce, combined with various cooking techniques and ingredients, makes these recipes both delicious and satisfying.
Feel free to explore and experiment with these recipes, adding your unique touch to create new favorites. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, a quick lunch, or a special occasion, soy sauce chicken is sure to impress and delight. Enjoy the journey of discovering and savoring these wonderful dishes!
