Sticky Sweet Chicken Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 16 oz. chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
- Neutral oil, for cooking
For the Marinade & Sauce
- 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tsp sesame oil
Optional Garnish
- Scallions
- Steamed rice
Instructions
- Place the cubed chicken thighs in a bowl and combine with dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Mix thoroughly and marinate for 15 minutes.
- Heat a pan over medium heat with a bit of oil. Add the chicken along with the marinade and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce has reduced into a sticky glaze that clings to the chicken.
- Remove from the heat and serve over a fresh bowl of rice.
- Optionally garnish with scallions.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Table of Contents
- Sticky Sweet Chicken Recipe
- Introduction
- Why You’ll Love This Sticky Sweet Chicken Recipe
- Why The Marinade Is So Important For This Sticky Sweet Chicken Recipe
- Sticky Sweet Chicken Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make Sticky Sweet Chicken
- What to Serve with Sticky Sweet Chicken
- How to Store Sticky Sweet Chicken
- Sticky Sweet Chicken Substitutions
- What to Make Next
Introduction
For anybody trying to cook at home, you need a reliable chicken recipe that tastes great without a lot of effort, and this Sticky Sweet Chicken Recipe is exactly that. It’s one of the dishes that includes a sauce / glaze as well as the protein that turns simple chicken into something super addictive. Out of all the practical chicken dishes I’ve made, this one never gets old because it’s sweet, savory, and a meal that tastes great eaten 5 days in a row. Trust me, I’ve been there and done that!
Why You’ll Love This Sticky Sweet Chicken Recipe
This Sticky Sweet Chicken Recipe is so good because you essentially cook the chicken in the marinade instead of leaving it behind. As the chicken cooks, the sauce reduces at the same time, which concentrates all those flavors and creates that sticky coating that clings to every piece. Once the sauce reduces, the sugars in the brown sugar and honey will help caramelize the outside of the chicken, which gives a slight bitter tastes that contrasts with the sweetness beautifully.
Why The Marinade Is So Important For This Sticky Sweet Chicken Recipe
The marinade is what defines this Sticky Sweet Chicken Recipe. The soy sauces and oyster sauce add that salt and umami flavor that gives you that “mmph” in a lot of classic Asian dishes. The brown sugar and honey, as previously mentioned, give the chicken a slight sweetness as well as help caramelize the exterior. The rice vinegar balances out those rich flavors while the seasme oil adds that signature nutty flavor that brings the whole marinade together. As these combinations of sauces reduces, it thickens naturally due to the sugars and coats the chicken, creating that sticky texture and sweet flavor that makes the dish so addicting.
Sticky Sweet Chicken Recipe Ingredients
Chicken thighs – The main protein of the dish. They stay juicy while absorbing all the flavor from the marinade.
Marinade and sauce (dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil) – A balanced sauce that creates a sweet and salty glaze with deep flavor.
Optional garnishes (scallions, steamed rice) – The perfect way to serve this. The rice absorbs any extra sauce, while scallions add freshness.
How to Make Sticky Sweet Chicken
Place the chicken thighs in a bowl and combine with dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, garlic, brown sugar, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Mix thoroughly and marinate for about 15 minutes.
Heat a pan over medium heat with oil and add the chicken along with the marinade. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce reduces into a sticky glaze. Continue cooking until the sauce clings tightly to the chicken.
Remove from heat and serve immediately over rice. Garnish with scallions if desired.
What to Serve with Sticky Sweet Chicken
This Sticky Sweet Chicken is already great on its own, but a few pairings will take your experience up a couple of notches. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Steamed rice. A perfect carb that soaks up any extra sauce and compliments the flavors of the chicken.
- Cucumber salad. Thinly sliced cucumbers tossed in rice vinegar and a pinch of salt and sugar are a perfect combination with the rich chicken.
- Steamed broccoli or bok choy. A warm and simple side dish that compliments the chicken’s flavors. Eat your veggies!
How to Store Sticky Sweet Chicken
This Sticky Sweet Chicken Recipe can be stored in the fridge as well, which makes it perfect for meal prep. I like to keep it in an airtight container for up to 4 days. I usually store the chicken next to or separately from the rice so the rice doesn’t get too soggy. When reheating, you have a couple of options:
- Reheating in a pan. The best way to restore some of those crispy and caramelized edges.
- Microwave. The most convenient way to reheat the chicken. Add a splash of water before microwaving to help loosen the sauce. I like to microwave this for 2 minutes!
Sticky Sweet Chicken Substitutions
This Sticky Sweet Chicken Recipe is very flexible, and you can substitute some ingredients depending on what you have available. A few of my favorite substitutions are:
- Chicken breast. A leaner option that still works well, just keep an eye on cooking it as it overcooks it. I’ve found that 4 minutes each side is just right!
- White sugar. Can be used instead of honey or brown sugar. It will still help the sauce reduce and caramelize.
- Hoisin sauce. A great substitution for oyster sauce. If using, reduce amount of honey by 1 tbsp.
What to Make Next
Craving some beef instead? You’ll love my Lemongrass Beef!
Want another quick chicken dinner? Try my Whole Garlic Chicken Stir Fry!
Feeling like to noodles instead? Cook my Garlic Chicken Noodles!
