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Caramelized Soy Chicken & Rice with Garlic Ginger

Caramelized Soy Chicken & Rice with Garlic Ginger

Caramelized Soy Chicken & Rice with Garlic Ginger is a flavorful and comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken thighs glazed in a rich caramelized soy sauce paired with fragrant garlic and ginger-infused jasmine or basmati rice. This easy-to-make recipe balances sweet, savory, and aromatic elements for a quick and versatile dish perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 4 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 12 tablespoons vegetable oil or sesame oil

Rice

  • 1 cup jasmine or basmati rice, rinsed
  • 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or sesame)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 3/4 cups water or chicken broth

Garnish

  • 2 green onions, chopped
  • Optional: toasted sesame seeds, fresh cilantro or Thai basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade and chicken: In a bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar or honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger to create the marinade. Evenly coat the chicken thighs with this mixture and let them marinate while you prepare the rice.
  2. Cook the rice with garlic and ginger: In a pot or rice cooker, heat oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking until fragrant. Add rinsed jasmine or basmati rice and stir to coat. Pour in water or chicken broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until rice is tender and fluffy.
  3. Sear and caramelize the chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the marinated chicken thighs skin side down and cook until the skin crisps and caramelizes to a golden-brown glaze, about 5–7 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook until fully cooked through, about another 5–7 minutes.
  4. Combine and finish: Add any leftover marinade to the skillet and let it bubble and thicken into a luscious sauce. Serve the caramelized chicken on top of the garlic ginger rice, spoon extra sauce over, and garnish with chopped green onions and optional toppings.

Notes

  • Use skin-on chicken thighs for the best texture and caramelization.
  • Allow the sugar in the marinade to brown slowly and avoid burning for deep, rich flavor.
  • Prep garlic and ginger ahead of cooking to save time and preserve freshness.
  • Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
  • Use a non-stick skillet or a well-seasoned wok to prevent sticking during caramelization.

Nutrition

Keywords: caramelized chicken, soy chicken recipe, garlic ginger rice, one-pan chicken meal, easy weeknight dinner, Asian chicken and rice, gluten-free chicken