Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs

Featured in Family-Friendly Recipes.

Enjoy this quick and delicious soy garlic chicken thigh recipe that’s perfect for easy weeknight dinners. Start by lightly coating chicken thighs with a blend of potato starch, flour, and spices before pan-frying them to golden perfection. Prep a savory sauce with garlic, soy sauce, honey, and chicken stock, then simmer everything together until thick and glossy. Serve with steamed rice and veggies for a wholesome meal everyone will love!

Comfort Cravings Recipes
Updated on Wed, 07 May 2025 19:18:24 GMT
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Easy Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs | comfortcravingsrecipes.com

This savory soy garlic chicken thighs recipe transforms simple ingredients into a mouthwatering meal that's become my weeknight dinner hero. The combination of sticky-sweet sauce with tender chicken creates an irresistible dish that comes together in just 30 minutes.

I discovered this recipe during a busy work week when I needed something quick but still flavorful. My family now requests it at least twice a month and it never disappoints even my pickiest eaters.

Ingredients

  • Boneless skinless chicken thighs: 1 lb juicier than breast meat and more forgiving if slightly overcooked
  • Potato starch: 3 tbsp creates a lighter crust than cornstarch alone look for it in Asian grocery sections
  • All purpose flour: 3 tbsp works with the potato starch for the perfect light breading texture
  • Garlic powder: 1 tsp provides base flavor to the chicken itself rather than just in the sauce
  • Minced fresh garlic: 8 cloves use fresh rather than jarred for the most vibrant flavor
  • Green onions: 2 stalks adds freshness and color with different flavors from white and green parts
  • Honey: 3 tbsp creates the sticky sweet base of the sauce choose local if possible for better flavor
  • Dark soy sauce: 1 tbsp adds color and deeper umami than regular soy sauce
  • Rice vinegar: 1 tbsp balances the sweetness with mild acidity
  • Chicken stock: 1/2 cup gives the sauce body and savory flavor
  • Cornstarch: 1 tsp thickens the sauce to cling beautifully to the chicken
  • Neutral oil: 3 tbsp for frying choose something with high smoke point like vegetable or canola

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the sauce:
Mix chicken stock, honey, rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, and cornstarch in a small bowl until completely combined with no lumps. This preparation ensures the sauce thickens evenly when cooking and prevents cornstarch clumps.
Prep the chicken:
Pat chicken completely dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning. Combine potato starch, flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper on a large plate and mix thoroughly. Coat each chicken thigh lightly on both sides making sure to shake off excess coating.
Pan fry the chicken:
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Carefully place coated chicken in the pan without crowding and cook undisturbed for 7 minutes until deeply golden. Flip once and cook another 7 minutes until both sides are crispy and chicken is nearly cooked through.
Build the flavor base:
Remove chicken to a clean plate and in the same pan add minced garlic, white parts of green onion, and red chili flakes. Sauté for exactly 3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning while developing deep aromatic flavors.
Finish with sauce:
Pour in the prepared sauce mixture and stir immediately to incorporate all the flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan. Let bubble for about 1 minute until thickened and glossy. Return chicken to the pan and turn pieces to coat completely in the sauce. Cook 5 more minutes until chicken is fully cooked and sauce has reduced to a sticky glaze.
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Quick and Flavorful Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs | comfortcravingsrecipes.com

The first time I made this dish, my entire kitchen was filled with the most incredible aroma of toasty garlic and sweet soy. Now whenever my family smells that distinctive combination, they come running to the kitchen asking how soon until dinner is ready.

Make Ahead Options

This chicken dish works beautifully for meal prep. The chicken can be breaded up to 8 hours ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator. The sauce ingredients can be mixed and stored in a sealed container for up to 3 days. When ready to cook, simply proceed with the pan frying steps. The fully cooked dish keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; just reheat gently in a covered skillet with a splash of water to revive the sauce.

Substitution Ideas

No potato starch? Cornstarch works as a substitute, though the texture will be slightly different. For the chicken, dark meat fans will appreciate the juiciness of thighs, but chicken breast can be used if cut into smaller pieces and cooked for less time to prevent drying out. Vegans could even adapt this recipe using firm tofu or tempeh, pressed well before coating and frying. The sauce is flexible too: maple syrup or brown sugar can replace honey, and if you prefer less spice, simply reduce or omit the chili flakes.

Serving Suggestions

While this chicken is delightful over simple steamed rice, try it with coconut rice for an extra layer of flavor. For a complete meal, serve alongside quick pickled cucumbers, which provide a crisp acidic counterpoint to the rich chicken. The sauce also tastes amazing drizzled over steamed broccoli or bok choy. For a fun presentation, serve family style on a large platter garnished generously with sliced green onions and sesame seeds, with extra sauce on the side for drizzling.

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Savory Soy Garlic Glazed Chicken Thighs | comfortcravingsrecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts. Adjust cook time to ensure they don’t dry out, as breasts cook faster than thighs.

→ How can I make this dish spicier?

Add more red chili flakes to taste or include a touch of sriracha or gochujang in the sauce.

→ Can I bake the chicken instead of pan-frying?

Absolutely! Bake the breaded chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes or until fully cooked, then toss in the sauce.

→ How do I store leftovers?

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.

→ Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, prepare the sauce and refrigerate it for up to a week. Heat it up before using to coat the chicken.

Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs

Soy garlic chicken thighs, lightly breaded, pan-fried, and coated in a flavorful sauce.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Family Meals

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Asian

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Chicken

01 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
02 3 tbsp potato starch
03 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
04 1 tsp garlic powder
05 1/2 tsp salt
06 1/2 tsp black pepper
07 3 tbsp neutral oil for pan-frying
08 8 cloves minced garlic
09 2 stalks green onion, green and white parts separated
10 1 tsp red chili flakes

→ Sauce

11 1/2 cup chicken stock (or substitute with water and chicken bouillon)
12 3 tbsp honey
13 1 tbsp rice vinegar
14 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
15 1 tsp cornstarch

→ Garnish

16 Green onion (green part)
17 Sesame seeds

Instructions

Step 01

Combine chicken stock, honey, rice vinegar, dark soy sauce, and cornstarch. Mix well and set aside.

Step 02

Dry the boneless skinless chicken thighs with a paper towel. In a large plate, mix potato starch, flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Lightly coat the chicken thighs on both sides.

Step 03

Heat neutral oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add chicken thighs and fry until golden brown on both sides, about 7 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.

Step 04

In the same pan, add minced garlic, the white parts of green onion, and red chili flakes. Sauté for 3 minutes until garlic is golden brown.

Step 05

Add the prepared sauce to the pan and cook for 1 minute or until the sauce has thickened. Place the chicken back into the pan and cook for 5 minutes, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated and glazed.

Step 06

Serve the soy garlic chicken thighs with steamed rice and your choice of vegetables. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds.

Notes

  1. Ensure all ingredients are prepped before cooking to make the process smoother and faster.
  2. For a lighter crust, lightly bread the chicken rather than heavily coating it.
  3. Double the sauce recipe to use throughout the week for other meals.
  4. Chicken can be air-fried or baked as an alternative to pan-frying.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large frying pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Plate for dredging
  • Paper towels

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains soy (soy sauce)
  • Contains gluten (all-purpose flour)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 15 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 24 g
  • Protein: 28 g