Honey and soy chicken thighs

Name: Honey and soy chicken thighs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 1.5kg boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 300g onion; Water; Soy sauce; Honey; Black pepper; A splash of extra virgin olive oil

Chicken & turkey

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These honey chicken thighs are simmered with soy sauce and deeply golden onions, leaving you with the kind of glossy sauce that begs for crusty bread to dip into. I make them with just a handful of everyday ingredients and minimal fuss: in 45 minutes I have a hearty meal for six, ideal for feeding the family or tucking away leftovers for tomorrow.

For these honey and soy chicken thighs, I like to use boneless, skinless meat—it cooks evenly and is so easy to eat. The browned onions lend rich body to the sauce, while the soy and honey strike that lovely balance between savoury and sweet. It's a comforting dish that I love serving over fluffy white rice to soak up every last drop of sauce.

If you love this flavour combination, try my honey and soy chicken drumsticks or, for a fruity twist, these chicken thighs with apples.

Prep: 10 minCook: 35 minServes: 6

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Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you need

1.5kg boneless, skinless chicken thighs
300g onion
Water
Soy sauce
Honey
Black pepper
A splash of extra virgin olive oil

Step by step

Method

1Sear the chicken thighs in a large pan with a generous splash of extra virgin olive oil, then set them aside.
2In that same pan, cook the sliced onion until nicely browned and soft.
3Transfer the browned onion to a blender with a splash of water and blend until smooth.
4Pour the blended onion puree back into the pan, add a glass of water, freshly cracked black pepper to taste, soy sauce to taste, and a generous drizzle of honey.
5Stir everything well so the flavours meld, then return the chicken to the pan.
6Cover and cook over medium heat for about 20min, or until the water has reduced and left a slightly thick, glossy sauce.

Notes

1The colour of the sauce depends on how well you brown the onions and how much soy sauce you add.
2I don't add any extra salt because the soy sauce provides all the seasoning the dish needs.
3If the sauce hasn't reduced quite enough to your liking, you can always thicken it with a little cornstarch slurry.

Frequently asked questions

Can you freeze these honey and soy chicken thighs?

Yes, you can freeze them once cooked right in their sauce, divided into individual airtight containers. Let them cool down within two hours at room temperature, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Do the boneless chicken thighs need to be marinated?

There is no need to marinate the chicken beforehand for this recipe. The soy sauce, honey, and caramelised onion infuse plenty of rich flavour right as it simmers.

How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Simply swap the regular soy sauce for a certified gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. Double-check the rest of your ingredient labels as well to ensure everything is suitable.