Caramel Chicken Recipe - Easy Chicken Recipes (2024)

What is caramel chicken?

Caramel chicken is a Vietnamese dish that consists of chicken thighs and a sweet caramelized sauce.

Can I use frozen chicken thighs?

Yes, but you’ll need to thaw them prior to cooking.

Can I use chicken breasts instead?

Yes. To make this recipe with chicken breasts instead of thighs, use 2 ½ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. In step 1, fully cook the chicken breasts. In step 7, only add the garlic. Simmer until the sauce has thickened and add the cooked chicken back to the skillet immediately prior to serving.

• ▢ 2 ½ pounds bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
• ▢ salt to taste
• ▢ 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ▢ 6 cloves garlic peeled and crushed with the side of a knife
• ▢ ½ cup water
• ▢ ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ▢ ¼ cup rice vinegar
• ▢ 2 slices ginger
• ▢ 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• ▢ ¼ cup soy sauce
• ▢ 2 tablespoons fish sauce optional
• ▢ thinly sliced scallions and jalapeños for garnish

• Season the chicken thighs with salt.

  2 ½ pounds bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, salt

  

  See Also

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• Heat the oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken and place it in the skillet skin-side down. Cook until golden, flip the thighs, and cook until the second side is golden, about 5-6 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan, place the cooked thighs in a clean bowl, and set aside.

  2 tablespoons vegetable oil

  

• To the skillet, add the garlic and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes.

  6 cloves garlic

  

• Add the cooked garlic to the bowl with the chicken. Drain any remaining fat from the pan.

• Over medium high heat, add the water to the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in the brown sugar and cook for 3-4 minutes until it thickens and darkens in color.

  ½ cup water, ⅓ cup brown sugar

• Add the vinegar and continue to stir as the mixture bubbles up. Add the ginger, broth, soy sauce, and fish sauce.

  ¼ cup rice vinegar, 2 slices ginger, 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, ¼ cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons fish sauce

  

• Bring the mixture to a simmer and add the garlic and chicken skin-side up.

• Simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.

  

• Remove the chicken and place it on a plate. Continue to simmer the sauce for 8-10 more minutes or until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

• Return the chicken to the pot and toss it to coat in the sauce. Garnish with scallions and jalapeños, serve, and enjoy.

  thinly sliced scallions and jalapeños

  

Chicken: To make this recipe with chicken breasts instead of thighs, use 2 ½ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. In step 1, fully cook the chicken breasts. In step 7, only add the garlic. Simmer until the sauce has thickened and add the cooked chicken back to the skillet immediately prior to serving.

Storage: Store caramel chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days, or freezer for 3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Caramel Chicken Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 629Calories from Fat 360

% Daily Value*

Fat 40g62%

Saturated Fat 11g69%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 8g

Monounsaturated Fat 17g

Cholesterol 236mg79%

Sodium 1728mg75%

Potassium 648mg19%

Carbohydrates 22g7%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 19g21%

Protein 43g86%

Vitamin A 189IU4%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 54mg5%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.