Go Back
–+ servings
Delicious Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken served with rice and vegetables

Savory Hawaiian Shoyu Chicken

This savory Hawaiian shoyu chicken is a one-pot wonder, infused with bold flavors from a quick marinade, perfect for a cozy evening meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Hawaiian
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar (or coconut sugar for a twist)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tablespoon ginger (freshly grated)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
For the Chicken
  • 2 pounds chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on) Boneless, skinless can be used.
  • 2 green onions (thinly sliced) For garnish and flavor.
  • Optional: sesame seeds for garnish

Method
 

Prepare the Marinade
  1. Combine the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, minced garlic, ginger, rice vinegar, and sesame oil in a bowl.
Marinate the Chicken
  1. Place the chicken thighs in a large, resealable bag or a glass dish.
  2. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it's evenly coated.
  3. Seal the bag or cover the dish, and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Cook the Chicken
  1. Heat a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat and add the marinated chicken, skin side down.
  2. Let it sear for about 4-5 minutes until golden brown.
  3. Flip the chicken to the other side.
  4. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken, bring it to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes.
  5. Check occasionally to ensure it’s not boiling too aggressively; we're aiming for gentle braising.
  6. The chicken is done when it's fork-tender and easily pulls away from the bone.
Serve
  1. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking.
  2. Increase the heat to medium-high to reduce the sauce slightly.
  3. Slice the green onions and sprinkle on top for freshness before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 400kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 30gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 800mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6g

Notes

Serve this dish over a bed of steamed jasmine or sticky rice. For a tropical twist, garnish with grilled pineapple and cilantro. Options include swapping chicken for firm tofu for a vegan version or adding a splash of pineapple juice to the marinade for extra sweetness. Leftovers can be frozen.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!