This is an easy to cook savory sweet chicken dish. This dish is as easy as cooking chicken adobo where you only need to combine all the ingredients in a pot and cook until done. But there is an extra step if you want to make it more appetizing. Briefly grill the chicken if you want to serve it as chicken barbecue and thicken the sauce by simmering and adding cornstarch. Serve it as a dipping barbecue sauce for the chicken. You can also serve it without grilling by simmering until the sauce has slightly evaporated but no need to add the cornstarch.
A Sweet and Savory Delight
Chicken honey is a delectable dish that combines the savory flavors of soy sauce and garlic with the sweetness of sugar, resulting in a mouth-watering balance that is sure to please your taste buds. This dish is remarkably easy to prepare, akin to the simplicity of cooking chicken adobo. All you need to do is combine the ingredients in a pot and cook until the chicken is tender. However, there is an extra step that can elevate this dish to a new level of deliciousness: briefly grilling the chicken to give it a barbecue flair, and thickening the sauce to create a perfect dipping companion.
The Origins and Popularity of Sweet and Savory Dishes
The combination of sweet and savory flavors is a time-honored tradition in many cuisines around the world. In Chinese cuisine, for instance, the balance of sweet and salty is a fundamental principle, seen in dishes like sweet and sour pork. Similarly, in Filipino cuisine, dishes like adobo often incorporate a touch of sweetness to balance the salty and tangy flavors. It takes inspiration from these traditions, merging the rich umami of soy sauce with the sweetness of sugar, creating a harmonious blend that appeals to a wide range of palates.
Marinating the Chicken: The Key to Flavor
To begin making the chicken dish, start with the marinade. Combine soy sauce, sugar, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns in a bowl. Mixing these ingredients until the sugar dissolves is crucial, as this ensures that the chicken will be evenly coated with the flavorful marinade. The soy sauce provides a deep, salty base, while the sugar adds a touch of sweetness that will caramelize beautifully during cooking. Garlic brings a pungent aroma and flavor, and bay leaves add a subtle earthiness that rounds out the dish. Peppercorns give a hint of spice, balancing the overall flavor profile.
Cooking the Chicken to Perfection
After marinating the chicken for about 30 minutes, it’s time to cook. Place the chicken and marinade in a pan or wok and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer until the chicken is tender. This slow cooking process allows the chicken to absorb all the flavors from the marinade. If the sauce starts to dry up, you can add a little water to ensure the chicken cooks thoroughly without burning. The goal is to cook the chicken until it’s tender and juicy, with the sauce reduced to a rich, flavorful glaze.
Achieving the Perfect Finish
To check if the chicken is cooked, prick it with a fork; the juices should run clear. This indicates that the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat. At this point, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more sugar or soy sauce to balance the flavors. For an added burst of freshness, add chopped spring onions and let them simmer for a few minutes. This will infuse the sauce with a mild onion flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
Grilling for Extra Flavor
While you can serve the chicken directly after simmering, grilling it adds an extra layer of flavor and texture. Remove the chicken from the sauce and grill it briefly, just enough to give it a slight char and a smoky flavor. This step transforms the dish into a delightful barbecue-style chicken, perfect for summer cookouts or any meal where you want to impress your guests. To complement the grilled chicken, thicken the sauce by adding a bit of cornstarch and simmering until it reaches your desired consistency. This thickened sauce makes an excellent dipping sauce for the chicken, adding a sweet and savory punch with every bite.
Serving and Garnishing
Once the chicken is grilled and the sauce is thickened, it’s time to serve. Arrange the chicken pieces on a platter and pour some of the sauce over them, ensuring each piece is well-coated. For a finishing touch, garnish with sesame seeds, which add a subtle nutty flavor and a bit of crunch. Serve the chicken hot, with the remaining sauce on the side for dipping. This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice, which soaks up the delicious sauce, making every bite a flavorful experience.
A Dish to Remember
Chicken honey is more than just a simple chicken dish; it’s a testament to the beauty of combining sweet and savory flavors. Whether you choose to serve it as a straightforward simmered dish or elevate it with a barbecue twist, it’s sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire. The easy preparation and the rich, complex flavors make it a perfect dish for both everyday meals and special occasions. Enjoy the delightful taste and savor the harmonious blend of flavors that make it truly special.
How to Cook Chicken Honey
Ingredients
- 2 kilos chicken legs or thigh, cut into serving pieces
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp. garlic crushed
- 2 pcs bay leaves
- 1 Tbsp. peppercorns crushed
- water if needed
- 2 tsp. cornstarch diluted with 2 tsp. water for the sauce
For garnishing(optional):
- 2 stalks spring onions chopped
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
How to cook Chicken Honey:
- Prepare the chicken marinade by combining soy sauce, sugar, garlic, bay leaves and peppercorns in a bowl. Mix the ingredients until the sugar is dissolved.
- Put the chicken in the marinade and mix with the chicken until well coated and let stand for 30 minutes.
- In a pan or wok, put the chicken with the marinade and bring to a boil. Then simmer until the chicken is tender. Add some water if needed just in case the sauce is drying up.
- Prick the chicken with a fork to check if the chicken is already cooked. Juices should run clear.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the sugar and soy sauce if needed. Add in the spring onions and simmer for a few minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the sauce and grill the chicken. Thicken the sauce by adding cornstarch and simmer until the sauce is thick. Arrange the chicken in a platter and pour some sauce and garnish with sesame seeds. Serve hot.
Video
Notes
Cooking Tips
Marinating for Maximum Flavor To ensure your chicken dish is packed with flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but for even better results, let it sit for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator. This extended marinating time allows the soy sauce, sugar, garlic, and spices to deeply penetrate the chicken, making it more flavorful and tender. Just remember to cover the chicken well and keep it refrigerated to maintain freshness. Perfecting the Sauce Consistency When thickening the sauce with cornstarch, dissolve the cornstarch in a small amount of cold water before adding it to the simmering sauce. This step prevents lumps and ensures a smooth, glossy finish. Stir the sauce continuously as you add the cornstarch mixture, allowing it to reach your desired consistency without clumping. Achieving the Ideal Grill Marks If you decide to grill the chicken, preheat your grill to medium-high heat and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking. Grill the chicken for just a few minutes on each side, enough to achieve beautiful grill marks and a smoky flavor without overcooking it. This quick grilling step adds a delightful char and enhances the overall taste and presentation of your dish.
Chicken Honey is the name of the recipe. I don’t see honey in the ingredients?
HI Rhodora, maybe the reason why it is called chicken honey is because it is sweet and taste like it is added with honey. Or maybe when you serve it with your spouse and tasted it, he or she will call you honey.
Hello. Is it okay if I won’t grill the chicken?
Hi Elvie, maybe you can braise or fry the chicken then simmer the sauce until thick.
Hi, thanks for sharing this recipe but why is it there is no honey in this recipe?
Hi Jackie, you can use honey instead of sugar.