Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs are a quick and flavorful dish, perfect for busy weeknights or when you need something satisfying in under 30 minutes. The chicken thighs are lightly breaded with potato starch, pan-fried until crispy, and then coated in a sweet and savory soy garlic sauce. This one-pan dish is not only delicious but also easy to make and perfect for serving with steamed rice or veggies.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the chicken:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs

  • 3 tablespoons potato starch

  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • 3 tablespoons neutral oil (for pan frying)

  • 8 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 stalks green onion (green and white parts separated)

  • 1 teaspoon red chili flakes

• For the sauce:

  • ½ cup chicken stock (or water with chicken bouillon)

  • 3 tablespoons honey

  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce

  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

• For garnish:

  • Green onion (green part)

  • Sesame seeds

Directions

1. Make the Soy Garlic Sauce:
   In a bowl, whisk together chicken stock, honey, rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, and cornstarch. Set aside.

2. Prepare the Chicken:
   Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. In a shallow plate, mix potato starch, flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Lightly coat the chicken thighs on both sides with this mixture.

3. Fry the Chicken:
   Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken thighs and fry until golden brown on both sides, about 7 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate.

4. Prepare the Sauce:
   In the same pan, add the minced garlic, white part of the green onions, and red chili flakes. Sauté for about 3 minutes until the garlic turns golden brown.

5. Thicken the Sauce:
   Add the sauce mixture to the pan and cook for 1 minute, or until the sauce thickens.

6. Finish the Dish:
   Return the chicken to the pan, tossing to coat in the sauce. Let it cook for an additional 5 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and glazed with the sauce.

7. Garnish and Serve:
   Garnish with green onions (green part) and sesame seeds. Serve the soy garlic chicken thighs with steamed rice or your favorite veggies.

Nutrients

Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown for one serving (based on 4 servings):

• Calories: 350-400 kcal

• Total Fat: 20g

  • Saturated Fat: 3g

• Cholesterol: 70mg

• Sodium: 600-700mg

• Carbohydrates: 20g

  • Fiber: 1g

  • Sugar: 10g

• Protein: 30g

Why Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs Are So Popular

Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs are loved for their balance of flavors, satisfying crunch, and ease of preparation. Chicken thighs, known for their tenderness and juiciness, provide the perfect base for this dish. Coating the chicken in a simple mixture of potato starch and flour gives it a crispy, golden texture when pan-fried. The soy garlic sauce, made with soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, and garlic, delivers a rich, savory, and slightly sweet flavor that perfectly complements the crispy chicken.

This dish is incredibly versatile, too. It can be served with steamed rice, sautéed vegetables, or even over a bed of noodles. Its quick cooking time makes it ideal for busy weeknights when you want a flavorful, home-cooked meal but don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen.

How to Make Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs

Making Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs is easy and can be done in under 30 minutes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating this delicious dish:

Step 1: Make the Soy Garlic Sauce

In a bowl, whisk together the chicken stock (or water with chicken bouillon), honey, rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, and cornstarch. The cornstarch helps to thicken the sauce, giving it a glossy, sticky texture. Set this sauce mixture aside as you move on to preparing the chicken.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This ensures the breading will stick properly when you coat the chicken. In a shallow plate, mix together the potato starch, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Lightly coat each chicken thigh on both sides with this mixture. The potato starch will help create a crispy exterior, while the flour adds a bit of structure.

Step 3: Fry the Chicken

Heat the neutral oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot (but not smoking), add the coated chicken thighs to the pan. Fry the chicken for about 7 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Once done, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside on a plate.

Step 4: Prepare the Sauce

In the same pan, add the minced garlic, the white part of the green onions, and the red chili flakes. Sauté these ingredients for about 3 minutes until the garlic turns golden brown and fragrant. The garlic and chili flakes add depth and heat to the sauce, making it flavorful and aromatic.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce

Next, add the soy garlic sauce mixture to the pan. Stir it well and let it cook for about 1 minute, or until the sauce thickens. The cornstarch will cause the sauce to bubble and become glossy, creating a perfect glaze for the chicken.

Step 6: Finish the Dish

Return the cooked chicken thighs to the pan and toss them gently to coat with the sauce. Let the chicken cook in the sauce for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to become glazed and tender. The sauce will thicken further and create a sticky coating on the chicken.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Once the chicken is fully coated in the glossy soy garlic sauce, remove it from the heat. Garnish the dish with sliced green onions (green parts) and sesame seeds for added texture and visual appeal. Serve your Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs with steamed rice or your favorite vegetables for a complete meal.

Why This Dish Is Perfect for Any Occasion

Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs are a perfect option for a variety of occasions. Their quick cooking time makes them ideal for busy weeknights when you need to get a flavorful meal on the table fast. The savory-sweet sauce is universally loved and pairs perfectly with steamed rice, making it a comforting meal for the whole family.

This dish is also great for entertaining. Its easy-to-make nature allows you to prepare it in advance, and it’s simple to scale up the recipe if you’re cooking for a larger crowd. The dish’s sticky, flavorful sauce and crispy chicken are sure to impress guests at any dinner or gathering.

Conclusion

Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs are a delicious and satisfying dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. With its combination of crispy chicken, savory soy garlic sauce, and the subtle heat from red chili flakes, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation. It’s easy to make, full of flavor, and versatile enough to serve with a variety of sides, from steamed rice to vegetables.

Whether you’re craving something savory and sweet or simply need a quick, satisfying meal, Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs are a perfect choice. With minimal ingredients and a short cooking time, you can create a restaurant-quality meal at home that’s sure to impress.