Caramel chicken
Tantalize your taste buds with this mouth-watering Caramel Chicken recipe. Featuring tender chicken thighs cooked to perfection in a delectable blend of soy sauce, sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice. Enhanced with garlic, onions, and a hint of peanut oil, this dish pairs beautifully with fresh cucumbers and vibrant scallions for an unforgettable meal. Ready to impress in under an hour!
- 25 Mar 2024
- Cook time 20 min
- Prep time 55 min
- 6 Servings
- 11 Ingredients
Caramel chicken is a delicious and savory dish that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors. The combination of soy sauce, sugar, and fish sauce creates a rich caramel-like glaze that coats tender chicken thighs. Complemented with the freshness of cucumbers and scallions, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your meal rotation.
Ingredients:
Instructions:
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. This helps in browning them evenly.
- Heat 1 tsp of peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken thighs to the skillet, skin-side down. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, add the thinly sliced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Add 2 tbsp of sugar to the skillet. Stir continuously until the sugar melts and caramelizes, turning a rich golden-brown color. Be careful not to burn the sugar.
- Once the sugar has caramelized, quickly add the soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, and vinegar. Stir to combine. The mixture will bubble up, so be careful.
- Return the browned chicken thighs to the skillet, skin-side up.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the chicken cook in the caramel sauce for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Spoon the sauce over the chicken occasionally.
- While the chicken is cooking, slice the cucumbers and chop the scallions.
- Once the chicken is done, garnish it with the chopped scallions.
- Serve the caramel chicken with the sliced cucumbers on the side. The cucumbers add a fresh crunch that complements the rich caramelized flavors of the chicken.
Tips:
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for more flavor and juiciness.
- Cut the onion and garlic finely to ensure they cook evenly and infuse their flavors into the sauce.
- Monitor the sugar caramelization closely to avoid burning—it should turn a deep amber color.
- Add the soy sauce and fish sauce slowly to the caramelized sugar to prevent it from seizing.
- Marinate the chicken in a bit of the soy sauce and lime juice for an hour beforehand to enhance the flavor.
- Serve with steamed jasmine rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
Caramel chicken is an impressive dish that brings together the depth of Asian flavors in every bite. With a bit of practice and attention to details like sugar caramelization and ingredient preparation, you can create a restaurant-quality meal at home. Enjoy the perfectly balanced, flavorful dish with your favorite sides and savor the experience of homemade gourmet cooking.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 280 grams |
| Energy | |
| Calories 360kcal | 14% |
| Protein | |
| Protein 24g | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | |
| Carbohydrates 12g | 4% |
| Fiber 1.14g | 3% |
| Sugar 9g | 9% |
| Fat | |
| Fat 24g | 27% |
| Saturated 6g | 21% |
| Cholesterol 130mg | - |
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin A 36ug | 4% |
| Choline 70mg | 13% |
| Vitamin B1 0.14mg | 12% |
| Vitamin B2 0.24mg | 18% |
| Vitamin B3 6mg | 40% |
| Vitamin B6 0.57mg | 34% |
| Vitamin B9 20ug | 5% |
| Vitamin B12 0.85ug | 35% |
| Vitamin C 6mg | 7% |
| Vitamin E 0.45mg | 3% |
| Vitamin K 16ug | 14% |
| Minerals | |
| Calcium, Ca 33mg | 3% |
| Copper, Cu 0.13mg | 0% |
| Iron, Fe 1.36mg | 12% |
| Magnesium, Mg 50mg | 12% |
| Phosphorus, P 250mg | 20% |
| Potassium, K 500mg | 15% |
| Selenium, Se 27ug | 47% |
| Sodium, Na 640mg | 43% |
| Zinc, Zn 2.01mg | 18% |
| Water | |
| Water 220g | - |
| * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2500 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. | |
More recipes
Garlic basil spaghetti with parmesan and butter
Ready in under 30 minutes, it's an ideal choice for a quick yet satisfying weeknight dinner.
07 Apr 2024Shrimp provencal with basil, olive oil, tomatoes, white wine and fennel seeds
Enjoy this easy-to-make, aromatic seafood delight with friends and family for a memorable meal.
05 Apr 2024Teriyaki beef
Ideal for a quick weeknight meal or an impressive dinner, these bold, sweet, and savory flavors are sure to delight your taste buds.
15 Mar 2024Sweet chilli fish with mash & beans
Pair it with fresh green beans for a wholesome, balanced meal that's perfect for any occasion.
20 Mar 2024Thai red curry with butternut squash and chickpeas
Try it out now for a taste of Thailand at home.
29 Apr 2024Porterhouse steak with crispy garlic rosemary potatoes
Impress your guests with this delicious and easy-to-make meal.
21 Apr 2024Beef stroganoff
Perfectly balanced with a touch of garlic and a dollop of sour cream, this comforting meal is easy to prepare and sure to impress.
30 Apr 2024Ginger garlic sesame green beans
Try it today for a nutritious and delicious addition to your meal.
28 May 2024Chicken burrito bowl with avocado, lettuce, green pepper, tomatoes, sweet corn and black beans
A perfect blend of fresh ingredients and protein-packed chicken for a satisfying meal.
22 Apr 2024Tomato and black bean stew
Perfect for a comforting, nutritious meal in just a few simple steps.
15 May 2024Easy beef korma curry
Perfect for a weeknight dinner, this curry is a delicious way to enjoy a variety of wholesome ingredients in a single pot.
18 May 2024Mushroom burger with wilted spinach and sun-dried tomatoes
Perfect for a satisfying and wholesome meal.
21 Apr 2024Chargrilled chicken escalopes
Paired with tender grilled zucchini and a refreshing arugula salad, this healthy, flavorful dish is perfect for any meal.
15 Mar 2024