This Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken is so delicious - what is it? It's garlic soy sauce marinated chicken pan fried, and the drizzled with the garlic soy glaze!
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About the Ingredients
This recipe is actually quite easy! There's 3 main ingredients you will need to go with the chicken - and these three are often used in Taiwanese cooking which is soy sauce, sugar, and garlic!
Thick Soy Sauce
We do not use regular soy sauce for this recipe. I use Thick Soy Sauce, aka Soy Paste. There's actually many different types of soy sauce! Thick soy sauce is a lot thicker than your normal soy sauce. It has a richer, sweeter flavor, which is perfect for this dish.
If you can't find any thick soy sauce, you can actually use regular soy sauce. However, since Thick soy sauce is more sweet, you are now missing a flavor, so I would recommend adding a bit of sugar or sweetener of your choice.
Or even more simple - Oyster sauce can often be used as a substitute because it is similar in texture and it is also salty and sweet at the same time.
By the way you can find these sauces, in your local Asian grocery store or even on amazon here:
Kimlan Soy Paste / Thick Soy Sauce
Chicken
For the chicken, I did want to mention that I am using bone in chicken leg quarters in this specific recipe, however, you can switch this up (as I do often)!!!
You can try boneless chicken thighs, or chicken breast, etc. However, be sure to adjust timing as needed if you are. In fact, here is how it turned out with Chicken Thighs:
How to cook Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken (Step by Step)
First gather your ingredients:
- 3 lbs bone in chicken leg quarters
- ½ cup thick soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Dried red peppers (optional)
Using a knife make vertical cuts about 1-2 inch apart through out the leg quarters. This will help 1) the marinade get all up in the chicken 2) also help with cooking the chicken thoroughly.
In a large mixing bowl or zip lock bag, add chicken, soy sauce, brown sugar, and chopped garlic. Coat chicken well with mixture and allow to marinade for at least 30 minutes (up to over night) in the refrigerator.
Heat oil in a cooking pan on medium high heat for about half a minute, or until it heats up.
Add chicken and marinade in to the cooking pan. Pan fry for about 7 minutes, and then flip chicken over to cook the other side. Add dried red peppers in the sauce if you opted to add this ingredient.
Pan fry another 5 minutes or until chicken is cooked thoroughly. (Internal temperature should be 165 ºF.)
Remove chicken from heat, and drizzle remaining sauce on chicken leg quarters and serve!
OMG - this was so tasty! We like to serve with a veggie side dish and rice... or example, here it is served with Snow Pea Leaves Stir Fry!
Storage & Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Reheat in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through, or microwave in short intervals. Add a splash of water if the sauce thickens too much.
- Freezing: You can freeze for up to 2 months, but note the texture of the chicken skin may change slightly once thawed.
FAQ
Can I use regular soy sauce instead of thick soy sauce?
Yes - but since thick soy sauce (soy paste) is sweeter and richer, you'll want to add a little extra sugar to balance the flavor if using regular soy sauce.
Can I substitute the chicken leg quarters?
Definitely. Boneless chicken thighs, drumsticks, or chicken breast all work - just adjust cooking time so the chicken reaches 165ºF internally.
Is oyster sauce really a good substitute for thick soy sauce?
Yes. Oyster sauce has a similar salty-sweet flavor and thicker texture. It won't taste exactly the same, but it's a good stand-in if you can't find thick soy sauce.
Can I make this spicier?
Yes! Add dried red peppers (as suggested) or finish with chili crisp for more heat.
Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken Recipe
This Garlic Soy Sauce Chicken is marinated in soy paste (thick soy sauce) with garlic and sugar, then pan fried until golden and juicy. The savory-sweet garlic soy glaze makes this a comforting, flavorful dish that pairs perfectly with rice and a veggie side.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs bone in chicken quarters
- ½ cup thick soy sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon garlic, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Dried red peppers (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Make shallow vertical cuts 1–2 inches apart across the chicken leg quarters. This helps the marinade penetrate and ensures even cooking.
- Marinate: In a large bowl or zip-top bag, combine chicken, thick soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic. Coat evenly and let marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight in the fridge).
- Cook Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken with marinade and pan fry about 7 minutes, until browned. Flip and cook the other side another 5 minutes, adding dried red peppers if using.
- Finish: Cook until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from heat, drizzle with remaining sauce, and serve hot.
Notes
- Thick Soy Sauce (Soy Paste): This is different from regular soy sauce — it’s thicker, sweeter, and richer. If you only have regular soy sauce, add a little extra sugar to balance the flavor. Oyster sauce can also be used as a substitute for a similar salty-sweet thickness.
- Chicken Options: I use bone-in chicken leg quarters here, but you can easily substitute boneless chicken thighs or breast. Just adjust cooking time to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
- Flavor Boost: Add dried red peppers for a little spice, or drizzle with chili crisp before serving.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 8 oz chicken leg quarterAmount Per Serving: Calories: 569Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 213mgSodium: 1331mgCarbohydrates: 11gFiber: 0gSugar: 8gProtein: 56g
The nutrition information for this recipe is an approximate total per serving. Please double check the nutrition information for your exact ingredients and brands for more precise nutrition information. Keep in mind that if there is a marinade, often times not all the ingredients will be consumed.
TikTok Video
Here's a video I made about this dish!
More Delicious Chicken Thigh Recipes!
- Do you like grilling? If so check out this grilled teriyaki chicken thigh recipe features juicy tender chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and savory sauce then grilled! So easy and yum!
- For an easy simple recipe, check out my Pan Fried Chicken Thighs! The chicken is so juicy and tender and you can pair it with your favorite spices and sauces!
- Have you ever had gochujang? So delicious! This Gochujang chicken is perfect - succulent chicken thighs marinated in a bold blend of Korean gochujang, soy, spices and more!
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