Honey Soy Chicken - Marinade and Sauce (excellent grilled!)
By Chef Taiwan (@chef_taiwan)
Ingredients
- 1.25 - 1.5 kg/ 2.5 - 3 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs OR breast ((Note 1))
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil (, for cooking)
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (, all purpose or light (not dark, Note 2))
- 2/3 cup honey ((sub maple syrup))
- 1/3 cup cider vinegar ((or rice vinegar))
- 1/4 cup Chinese cooking wine or dry sherry ((key ingredient, Note 3))
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (, toasted (Note 4))
- 1 1/2 tbsp garlic (, finely minced)
- 1/3 cup water
- 1 1/2 tsp cornflour/cornstarch
- Green onion (, finely sliced)
- Sesame seeds
Directions
- 1Place ingredients in a jug and mix well until honey is completely dissolved.
- 2Reserve 1/4 cup for Basting, refrigerate. (Note 5)
- 3Reserve 2/3 cup for Serving Sauce, refrigerate.
- 4Marinade Chicken: Pour remaining marinade over chicken in a container. Coat chicken thoroughly. Cover, refrigerate 24 to 48 hours (minimum 3 hrs).
- 5Place reserved sauce in a small saucepan. Mix cornflour and water, then add into saucepan.
- 6Simmer over medium for 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until it thickens to a syrupy consistency. Set aside and keep warm. (If it gets too thick, just add a bit more water)
- 7Brush BBQ plate or grills with oil and heat to medium high. Or heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
- 8THIGHS: Place chicken on BBQ. Cook the first side for 2 minutes, then flip and dab with reserved Basting Sauce. Cook for 2 minutes, flip and baste. Then flip/baste every 1 minute for total cook time of ~ 10 minutes or until a thermometer reads 75°C/165°F.
- 9BREAST: Cook first side 2 minutes, flip, baste. Cook 2 minutes, then flip and baste every 45 sec or so for total cook time of ~8 minutes (internal temp 66°C / 151°F).
- 10REST: Transfer to serving plate, cover loosely with foil and rest for 5 minutes.
- 11SERVE chicken garnished with sesame seeds and green onion, with sauce on the side so people can help themselves.