Brown Sugar Soy Glazed Chicken Recipe

Tender chicken glazed with a sweet and savory brown sugar soy sauce, baked to perfection, offering a delightful balance of flavors and a glossy finish. Perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon dry ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon fresh ground chili paste
• pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• sliced green onion
• toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
   Gather a gallon-sized zipper bag and introduce the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to their new home. Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, freshly minced garlic, avocado oil, sesame oil, ground ginger, chili paste, and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Seal the bag tightly, giving it a good massage to ensure every piece is well-coated. Let the flavors mingle for at least 30 minutes, but if you’ve got the time, letting them hang out overnight in the fridge will make for an even better taste sensation.

2. Step 2: Get the Heat On
   When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C), or if grilling is your game, crank it up to high heat. This little bit of prep work ensures that your chicken will hit the heat running, cooking evenly and sealing in all those glorious juices.

3. Step 3: Cook the Chicken
   For the oven route, line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup and arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer. Pop them in the oven for about 30 to 40 minutes, keeping an eye out for the edges to get wonderfully charred and the internal temperature to reach a juicy 170°F. If grilling, place the chicken on the grill and turn occasionally until it hits the same internal temperature.

4. Step 4: Thicken the Marinade
   Don’t toss that marinade! Instead, pour it into a saucepan. Before turning on the stove, mix in the cornstarch—this way, it won’t clump and will keep your sauce silky smooth. Heat it gently until the sauce thickens up to your liking, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

5. Step 5: Glaze and Garnish
   With the chicken cooked and the sauce thickened to perfection, brush the glossy glaze over the chicken pieces liberally. This is where your meal gets its sweet, sticky finish. Finally, sprinkle with sliced green onions and a handful of toasted sesame seeds for that extra touch of flavor and crunch.

Notes

Cooking mishaps happen to the best of us! With this recipe, one common blunder is overwhelming the chicken with too much soy sauce. The key here is balance, so stick to the recipe's recommended amount to keep the flavors in harmony.

Another pitfall is over-marinating. Leaving the chicken in the marinade for too long can make it too salty. If you can, aim for that sweet spot between 30 minutes to overnight.

Lastly, when thickening the sauce, whisk in the cornstarch smoothly before heating, avoiding the dreaded lumpiness. Voilà! You're on your way to a perfect dish!