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Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken Thighs

Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken Thighs
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Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken Thighs are a flavorful island-inspired dish featuring tender, juicy chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and savory soy-based sauce. This easy-to-make recipe balances salty shoyu, caramel-like brown sugar, aromatic garlic and ginger, and nutty sesame oil to create a mouthwatering meal perfect for weeknights or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4–6 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs

Marinade

  • 1/2 cup shoyu (Japanese soy sauce)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

Optional Garnishes and Extras

  • 2 green onions, chopped (optional)
  • Toasted sesame seeds (optional)
  • Thinly sliced chili peppers (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together shoyu, brown sugar, crushed garlic, finely grated ginger, water, and sesame oil until the sugar has completely dissolved, forming a sweet and savory marinade base.
  2. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a resealable bag or shallow dish, pour the marinade over them, seal or cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to deeply infuse the flavors.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of oil. Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade, and sear the chicken skin-side down for 5-7 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook the other side for 5 minutes.
  4. Simmer with Marinade: Pour the reserved marinade into the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let the chicken simmer for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked and the sauce slightly thickens.
  5. Finish and Serve: Remove the chicken from the skillet and allow it to rest for a few minutes. Optionally, garnish with chopped green onions, toasted sesame seeds, or sliced chili peppers before serving.

Notes

  • Use skin-on chicken thighs for crispy skin and juicy meat.
  • Marinate the chicken overnight for maximum flavor penetration.
  • Reserve and use the marinade as the cooking sauce instead of discarding it.
  • Cook over medium heat to avoid burning the marinade’s sugar.
  • Let the chicken rest before serving to retain moisture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Hawaiian chicken, shoyu chicken, soy sauce chicken, savory sweet chicken, island recipe, gluten-free chicken thigh recipe

Find it online: https://homemademealz.com/hawaiian-shoyu-chicken-thighs/