Birthday Caramel Chicken
Celebrate any special occasion with the irresistible flavors of Birthday Caramel Chicken—a savory-sweet masterpiece that blends caramelized perfection with bold umami notes. This dish features tender, juicy chicken thighs with crispy golden skin, coated in a luscious caramel glaze infused with soy sauce, fish sauce, garlic, and ginger for an explosion of flavor. The caramel sauce, made by melting sugar to an amber hue and enhanced with a splash of rice vinegar for balance, adds a tantalizing richness that pairs beautifully with fluffy steamed rice. Garnished with fresh scallions and nutty sesame seeds, this show-stopping recipe is ideal for family gatherings, birthdays, or any time you crave a decadent, celebratory meal. It's easy to prepare in under an hour and guaranteed to impress every guest at the table.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 6 pieces Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
- 2 teaspoons Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 0.5 cup Granulated sugar
- 0.25 cup Warm water
- 0.25 cup Soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons Fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon Rice vinegar
- 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Ginger (grated)
- 2 stalks Scallions (sliced, for garnish)
- 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 4 cups Cooked rice (for serving)
Instructions
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper.
In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Once hot, place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan and cook for 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium-low and add the granulated sugar. Stir occasionally until the sugar melts and turns a golden amber color, about 4-5 minutes. Be careful not to burn the sugar.
Slowly and carefully add the warm water to the melted sugar while stirring. The mixture will bubble vigorously—continue stirring until smooth.
Stir in the soy sauce, fish sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Simmer the sauce for 2-3 minutes to combine the flavors.
Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, skin-side up, and spoon the caramel sauce over the chicken. Cover the skillet with a lid, reduce the heat to low, and let the chicken cook for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C). Baste the chicken with the sauce every 7-10 minutes for maximum flavor.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove the lid and let the sauce thicken slightly for 2-3 minutes.
Garnish the chicken with sliced scallions and sesame seeds. Serve hot over a bed of cooked rice, drizzling extra caramel sauce over the top.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
793 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 34.0 g | 44% | |
| Saturated Fat | 8.4 g | 42% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 121 mg | 40% | |
| Sodium | 2284 mg | 99% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 84.7 g | 31% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.8 g | 6% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.0 g | ||
| Protein | 35.3 g | 71% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 78 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 2.6 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 485 mg | 10% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
