Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Let them come to room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Flip the chicken and cook for another 5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and add brown sugar to the same pan. Stir constantly until the sugar melts and begins to caramelize, turning a deep amber color, about 3-4 minutes.
- Quickly whisk in dark soy sauce, light soy sauce, and rice wine. The mixture will bubble vigorously. Add sesame oil and stir to combine.
- Return chicken to the pan, skin-side up, and add minced garlic and ginger slices around the chicken pieces.
- Pour in chicken stock and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water to create a slurry. Stir this into the sauce to thicken.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and white pepper. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately over steamed jasmine rice.
Notes
For best results, use bone-in chicken thighs with skin for maximum flavor and moisture. The dish tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop.
