Garlic soy chicken is one of those recipes I make on a busy weeknight because it's so easy and so flavorful. With just a handful of pantry ingredients, one skillet, you've got juicy chicken thighs coated in a glossy, garlicky sauce that will have you reaching for seconds.
What Is Garlic Soy Chicken?
Garlic soy chicken is pan seared chicken thighs simmered in a savory garlic and soy sauce until it's sticky, glossy, and packed with flavor. It's easy and quick enough for a weeknight but tastes like you ordered it from a restaurant.
Why You'll Love This Garlic Soy Chicken
- One Pan, No Fuss: Everything cooks in a single skillet so cleanup is very easy.
- Big Garlic Flavor: Six cloves of garlic means every bite is loaded with that deep savory flavor.
- Ready in Under 20 Minutes: Perfect for a fast weeknight dinner that still feels special.
Equipment You'll Need
- Large Skillet
- Whisk
- Mixing Bowl
- Tongs
Ingredients for Garlic Soy Chicken
Chicken Marinade
- Chicken Thighs: Use boneless and skinless thighs for this recipe for maximum flavor!
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Five Spice Powder: A warm blend of spices that adds a subtle background depth but it's totally optional.
- Salt
- White Pepper
For the Garlic Soy Sauce
- Soy Sauce
- Dark Soy Sauce: Thicker and a touch sweeter, it gives the sauce its deep color and rounds out the flavor.
- Oyster Sauce: Adds a savory, slightly sweet richness that makes the sauce taste more complex.
- Water
- Garlic Cloves
- Sugar
- Sesame Oil
Garnishes
- Green Onions
- Sesame Seeds
Customizations
- Make It Spicy: Add a drizzle of chili oil or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for some heat.
- Swap the Protein: Chicken breast or thighs with bone in both work, just adjust the cook time accordingly.
- Use an Air Fryer: You can air fry the chicken at 425F for 11-14 minutes and make the sauce in a pan separately.
How to Make Garlic Soy Chicken
Marinate the Chicken
Toss the chicken thighs with onion powder, garlic powder, five spice powder if using, salt, and white pepper. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes while you prep everything else.
Whisk the Garlic Soy Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, water, minced garlic, sugar, and sesame oil until combined.
Sear the Chicken
Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and pan fry the chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
Simmer in the Sauce
Pour the garlic soy sauce over the chicken, cover, and cook for 1-2 minutes until cooked through.
Uncover and let the sauce reduce for about 1 minute until it thickens slightly. Reserve any extra sauce for serving.
Slice and Serve
Remove the chicken and slice into strips. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, then spoon over any extra sauce before serving.
Storage
Store leftover garlic soy chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat so it doesn't dry out or use the microwave.
Tips to Make the Perfect Garlic Soy Chicken
- Don't Rush the Sear: A good golden crust on the chicken is where a lot of the flavor comes from, so give it the full time.
- Mince the Garlic Fresh: Pre minced jarred garlic works fine but fresh cloves make the sauce taste much better.
- Watch the Sauce Closely: It goes from perfectly glossy to overly sticky fast, so keep an eye on it once it starts to reduce.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs for garlic soy chicken?
Yes, chicken breast works fine. Just watch the cook time since breast meat can dry out faster than thighs.
What can I substitute for dark soy sauce?
If you don't have dark soy sauce, regular soy sauce works, though the sauce will be a bit lighter in color and slightly less caramel in flavor.
Can I make garlic soy chicken ahead of time?
You can marinate the chicken up to a day in advance and keep it covered in the fridge until you're ready to cook.
Is garlic soy chicken freezer friendly?
It freezes for up to 2 months, but the texture is best fresh since reheating can make the chicken slightly firmer.
What should I serve with garlic soy chicken?
Steamed rice is the classic pairing since it soaks up the extra sauce, but it's also great over noodles or alongside stir fried greens.
Related Recipes You'll Love
- Sweet and Sticky Hoisin Chicken
- Bourbon Chicken
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Gochujang Chicken
- Miso Chicken Thighs
Garlic Soy Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1.5 pounds chicken thighs boneless and skinless
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder optional
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Dash of white pepper
Garlic Soy Sauce
- 3 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1.5 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon water
- 6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
Garnishes
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken with onion powder, garlic powder, five spice powder (if using), salt, and white pepper for 5-10 minutes.1.5 pounds chicken thighs, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp Chinese five-spice powder, ¼ tsp salt, Dash of white pepper
- Whisk together the soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, water, minced garlic, sugar, and sesame oil to make the garlic soy sauce.3 Tbsp soy sauce, 1.5 Tbsp dark soy sauce, 1 Tbsp oyster sauce, 1 Tbsp water, 6 cloves garlic, 1 Tbsp granulated sugar, 1 tsp sesame oil
- Heat a large skillet and pan fry the chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Pour the garlic soy sauce over the chicken, cover, and cook for 1-2 minutes until cooked through, then uncover and let the sauce reduce for about 1 minute until slightly thickened. Reserve any extra sauce for serving later.
- Remove the chicken and slice into strips. Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds and serve with extra sauce.Chopped green onions, Sesame seeds
