Name: Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Ingredients: 2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs; 1 cup soy sauce; 1 cup water; 1 cup brown sugar; 6 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated; 1 small onion, sliced; 2 green onions, sliced; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; 1 teaspoon black pepper

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Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken is a comforting island-style dish that I make when I want something simple, rich, and deeply satisfying. I simmer chicken in a savory-sweet soy sauce broth with garlic and ginger until it turns tender and flavorful, then I serve it over warm rice with plenty of sauce.

Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken

Ingredients

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs

1 cup soy sauce

1 cup water

1 cup brown sugar

6 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

1 small onion, sliced

2 green onions, sliced

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

I start by combining the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper in a medium bowl. I stir everything together until the sugar dissolves.

Next, I place the chicken thighs in a large pot or deep skillet and pour the sauce mixture over the top.

I add the sliced onion and bring everything to a gentle boil over medium heat.

Once the liquid starts boiling, I reduce the heat to low and let the chicken simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes. I like to turn the chicken occasionally so it cooks evenly and soaks up all that savory-sweet flavor.

I continue simmering until the chicken becomes tender and the sauce thickens slightly.

Before serving, I taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed.

I finish the dish with sliced green onions and serve it hot over steamed rice with extra sauce spooned over the top.

Servings and timing

I usually get 4 servings from this recipe, which makes it a great option for a family meal or a small dinner with leftovers.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 420 kcal per serving

Variations

I sometimes switch up this recipe depending on what I have in my kitchen or the kind of meal I want that day. I can use boneless chicken thighs if I want slightly faster cooking, though I find bone-in chicken gives the broth more flavor. I also like adding a little extra fresh ginger when I want a stronger, warmer taste. For a deeper onion flavor, I sometimes let the onion simmer a bit longer until it softens completely into the sauce. If I want a little texture and freshness, I serve it with steamed vegetables on the side. I can also add a small splash of sesame oil at the end for a more fragrant finish.

Storage/Reheating

I store leftover Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. I like to keep the chicken and sauce together so the meat stays moist and flavorful.

When I reheat it, I usually place it in a skillet or saucepan over low heat and add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened too much. I also reheat it in the microwave in short intervals, spooning some sauce over the chicken to keep it from drying out. For longer storage, I freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months, then thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

FAQs

What does shoyu mean in Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken?

Shoyu is the word used for soy sauce, and it is the key ingredient that gives this dish its salty, rich, and deeply savory flavor.

Can I use boneless chicken instead of bone-in chicken thighs?

Yes, I can use boneless chicken thighs if I want. They cook well in the sauce, though I find bone-in thighs often give the dish a little more flavor and stay extra juicy.

Is Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken very sweet?

I find it nicely balanced rather than overly sweet. The brown sugar adds sweetness, but the soy sauce, garlic, and ginger keep the flavor savory and full-bodied.

What should I serve with Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken?

I like serving it over steamed white rice because the rice soaks up the sauce beautifully. I also enjoy adding a side of steamed vegetables or a simple cucumber salad.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, I think this is a great make-ahead meal. In fact, I find the flavor gets even better after the chicken rests in the sauce for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

Conclusion

Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken is one of those easy, comforting meals that I keep coming back to because it delivers so much flavor with very little effort. I love how the chicken turns tender in the sweet and savory sauce, and I especially enjoy serving it over rice so none of that delicious broth goes to waste. This is a dependable recipe that I can make for a cozy dinner any time I want something warm, simple, and satisfying.

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Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken

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Author: Cheryl
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Diet: Halal

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Description

Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken is a comforting island-style dish featuring tender chicken simmered in a savory-sweet soy sauce, garlic, and ginger broth. It is rich, flavorful, and perfect served over warm rice.

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, water, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and black pepper. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
Place the chicken thighs in a large pot or deep skillet and pour the sauce mixture over them.
Add the sliced onion and bring to a gentle boil over medium heat.
Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes, turning the chicken occasionally for even cooking.
Continue cooking until the chicken is tender and the sauce thickens slightly.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Garnish with sliced green onions and serve hot over steamed rice with extra sauce.