Name: Soy Glazed Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 2 boneless chicken thighs with skin; Salt & Pepper, to taste; 3 tbsp corn starch; 2 tbsp cooking oil (for frying); 3.5 tbsp soy sauce; 2.5 tbsp honey; 1.5 tbsp minced garlic; 0.5 tbsp five-spice powder

Jump to Recipe

If you’re looking for a dish that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors with a touch of aromatic spice, this Soy Glazed Chicken is an absolute must-try. The tender chicken thigh, crisply pan-seared to golden perfection, gets lovingly coated in a luscious glaze that combines the depth of soy sauce, the sweetness of honey, and the warm glow of five-spice powder. Every bite bursts with an irresistible harmony of textures and tastes that will have you coming back for seconds and sharing this recipe with everyone you know.

Soy Glazed Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Soy Glazed Chicken lies in its simplicity, but each ingredient plays its part in making the dish truly shine. From the punchy garlic to the silky honey, these components work together to create a glaze that’s both flavorful and visually stunning.

2 Chicken Thighs (boneless with skin): Perfectly juicy and flavorful for this recipe, the skin crisps up beautifully when pan-fried.
3 tbsp Corn Starch: Helps create a delightfully crispy skin that balances the glaze perfectly.
3.5 tbsp Soy Sauce: Adds a robust, salty depth that is essential for the classic soy-glazed flavor.
2.5 tbsp Honey: Brings a natural sweetness and sticky texture that thickens the glaze deliciously.
1.5 tbsp Minced Garlic: Imparts a sharp aromatic punch that wakes up the palate.
0.5 tbsp Five-Spice Powder: A warm blend of spices that adds complexity and an unforgettable fragrance.
Salt & Pepper: Simple seasonings that enhance the chicken’s natural flavor.

How to Make Soy Glazed Chicken

Step 1: Season and Prepare the Chicken

Start with salting and peppering the chicken thighs well on both sides. This simple seasoning step builds the foundation for a flavorful dish. Then, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel — this is key to getting a nice crispy skin when cooking. Dust the thighs evenly with corn starch, shaking off any excess so the coating stays light and perfect.

Step 2: Pan-Fry the Chicken to Crisp Perfection

Heat a good drizzle of oil in a pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the chicken thighs skin side down in the pan, and resist the urge to move them around. Let them cook undisturbed for 7 minutes to develop that gorgeous golden crust. Flip the thighs and cook for another 5 minutes on the other side, ensuring the chicken is cooked through and beautifully browned.

Step 3: Prepare the Glaze Sauce

While the chicken rests off the heat, mix together your soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and five-spice powder in a small bowl. This mixture will become the unforgettable glaze, so make sure those flavors blend beautifully.

Step 4: Simmer and Glaze the Chicken

Pour the sauce into the hot pan you cooked the chicken in — all those fond bits stuck to the bottom add incredible flavor. Let it simmer for about a minute to allow the sauce to thicken slightly. Return the chicken thighs to the pan and turn the heat up. Spoon the glaze over the chicken continuously for another minute, letting the sauce cling to the skin and caramelize just right.

How to Serve Soy Glazed Chicken

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh chopped green onions or toasted sesame seeds will add a nice visual pop and a burst of texture to your Soy Glazed Chicken. These simple touches complement the rich glaze and create a restaurant-quality finish.

Side Dishes

Pair this chicken with fluffy jasmine rice or fragrant quinoa to soak up every last bit of that incredible glaze. For veggies, try steamed broccoli or stir-fried snow peas — their crisp freshness balances the sweet and savory chicken beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and serve on a wooden board with small bowls of leftover glaze for dipping. Or tuck the glazed chicken into lettuce wraps with thinly sliced cucumbers and shredded carrots for a light and crunchy meal experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftover Soy Glazed Chicken in an airtight container and keep it refrigerated. Properly stored, it will stay delicious and safe to eat for up to 3 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making it taste even better the next day.

Freezing

If you want to save some for later, freezing works well for this dish. Wrap the chicken tightly and store it in a freezer-safe container or bag. It will maintain its quality for up to 2 months, allowing you to enjoy this tasty meal any time you crave it.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the chicken in a skillet over medium heat to revive the crisp skin and freshen up the glaze. Avoid microwaving if possible, as that can make the coating soggy. Serve hot and enjoy the dish as if it was freshly made.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for Soy Glazed Chicken?

Absolutely! While chicken thighs offer more flavor and juiciness, breast meat can be used. Just be mindful to not overcook them, as they dry out faster. You might want to reduce cooking time accordingly.

Is five-spice powder essential for this recipe?

Five-spice powder adds a lovely depth and aromatic flair, but if you don’t have it on hand, you can substitute with a blend of ground cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and pepper, or simply omit it. The dish will still taste great!

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes! Use a gluten-free soy sauce (tamari is a good choice) and ensure your cornstarch is pure to keep the recipe gluten-free without compromising flavor or texture.

How do I get the chicken skin extra crispy?

Patting the chicken dry and coating it lightly with cornstarch helps a lot. Also, cooking skin-side down first in a hot pan without moving it ensures a crispy, golden crust that’s hard to resist.

What should the internal temperature of the chicken be?

For safe and juicy results, the internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure perfect doneness without drying out the chicken.

Final Thoughts

Trust me when I say, once you master this Soy Glazed Chicken, it will quickly become one of your favorite go-to dishes for busy weeknights or special dinners alike. The balance of crispy skin, tender meat, and that irresistibly sticky, savory-sweet glaze makes every forkful pure joy. Don’t hesitate to try it out and share the love with your friends and family – good food is meant to be enjoyed together!

Soy Glazed Chicken Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 26 reviews

Author: Hugo
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Diet: Halal

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Description

A flavorful and easy-to-make Soy Glazed Chicken recipe featuring crispy pan-fried chicken thighs coated with a sweet and savory soy-honey glaze infused with garlic and aromatic five-spice powder.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 boneless chicken thighs with skin
Salt & Pepper, to taste
3 tbsp corn starch
2 tbsp cooking oil (for frying)

Sauce

3.5 tbsp soy sauce
2.5 tbsp honey
1.5 tbsp minced garlic
0.5 tbsp five-spice powder

Instructions

Season the chicken: Season both sides of the chicken thighs evenly with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
Prepare the chicken coating: Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove moisture, then coat both sides with corn starch. Shake off any excess corn starch to prevent clumping during cooking.
Pan-fry the chicken: Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the chicken thighs skin side down. Cook for 7 minutes to develop a crispy skin, then flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes until fully cooked.
Remove chicken from pan: Take the chicken out and set aside to rest, allowing the juices to redistribute.
Prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, mix soy sauce, minced garlic, five-spice powder, and honey until well combined.
Simmer the sauce: Pour the sauce mixture into the same pan used for cooking the chicken. Simmer over medium heat for 1 minute to meld flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
Glaze the chicken: Return the chicken to the pan and increase heat to high. Drizzle the sauce over the chicken continuously, cooking for 1 minute until the glaze is sticky and coats the chicken beautifully.

Notes

Using chicken thighs with skin ensures a crispy texture and rich flavor.
Patting the chicken dry before coating helps the corn starch stick better and creates a crisp crust.
Adjust honey quantity to your desired sweetness.
The five-spice powder adds an aromatic, warm flavor — optional if unavailable.
Cook chicken thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Pan-frying and glazing
Cuisine: Asian