Soy Sauce Chicken (a flavorful recipe made with 3 ingredients!)
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Searching for an easy, no-fuss dinner that delivers big flavor? This soy sauce chicken is your answer! I make this on nights I want a home-cooked meal, but don’t feel like cooking. I’ll show you how to make juicy, tender chicken with just 3 ingredients and in less than 20 minutes.
This soy sauce chicken has been a staple in my kitchen for years. It’s the recipe I reach for on nights when my energy is low, but I still want something deeply flavorful. I first made it on one of those evenings when the fridge was nearly empty, the weather was miserable, and I refused to leave the house. With just chicken, soy sauce, and oil, I discovered that you really can make something incredibly savory and satisfying with almost no effort.
It’s almost embarrassing to call this a recipe because it’s that easy, but the flavor says otherwise. The chicken turns out rich, salty, and perfectly seasoned, and it somehow works with just about everything. I’ve served it alongside Greek salad, sliced it over rice, and even tucked it into Thai curry. It’s endlessly versatile, wildly reliable, and made with three ingredients I always seem to have on hand.
Recipe variations
I know I said this was a three-ingredient recipe – but I promise adding a 4th ingredient will still be manageable. Whether you want to tweak it so it works well with a side dish you’re serving, or you have some cravings, here are some easy variations:
- Garlic soy: Add minced garlic to the marinade for an extra dimension of savory flavor.
- Honey soy: Drizzle a tablespoon of honey into the mix for a touch of sweetness.
- Spicy soy: For a bit of heat, add half a teaspoon of red chili flakes or a squeeze of sriracha, chili oil, or sambal oelek.
- Lemon soy: Squeeze in some fresh lemon juice to brighten things up.
- Five-spice soy: Sprinkle half a teaspoon of Chinese five-spice in the marinade to enhance the flavor profile—it’ll create more warmth and complexity.
What to serve with soy chicken
This is a very versatile recipe, pairing especially well with Asian-influenced sides such as garlic butter snap peas or sautéed bok choy with garlic.
If you’re feeling hungry, add one of these:
Storing soy sauce chicken
Any leftover soy sauce chicken can be easily stored. First, let it cool to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
You can also freeze it for up to three months. Make sure it’s in a freezer-proof container. To reheat, let it thaw in the fridge the day before you intend to enjoy it. Then, gently reheat it in a skillet, adding a splash of water or soy sauce as needed.
Soy Sauce Chicken (a flavorful recipe made with 3 ingredients!)
Ingredients
- 8 boneless chicken thighs
- ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs into a bowl and pour the soy sauce over the top. Mix well and then put the bowl into your fridge. Let the thighs marinate for 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours).8 boneless chicken thighs, ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- Heat the oil in a large, nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Pour the chicken thighs and all of the marinade into the pan and spread out the thighs so that they are in a single layer. Let them cook for 6 minutes then stir them around and scrape the bottom of the pan before turning them over and cooking for another 6 minutes, or until they are cooked through.1 tablespoon cooking oil
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
HOW MANY SOY SAUCE FOR LIKE 5 CHICKEN THIGHS?
I’d recommend cutting the other ingredients in half.
Can you put these in an air fryer to cook?
This is as simple as it gets but my husband and son loved it. I served it with two other dishes that had a lot of prep and ingredients involved so this really saved me a lot more work… And even though the other dishes were delicious and worth it… This one still shined through and my son loved it best! Lol!
Are the thighs skinless?
Yes!
I love this recipe! I would recommend this to others. I purchased all my items online as I don’t have a Chinese supermarket near me.
Can I use vegan or low sodium soy sauce for this recipe?
Absolutely!
Saw this in your email a few weeks ago and finally decided to try it. I’m so glad that I did! I can see why it’s your go to chicken recipe!
I’m so happy that you loved it as much as we do!
Can I season the chicken with soy sauce and freeze it if I won’t make it for a few days?
While I haven’t tested it with this recipe, I often freeze chicken in marinades and it works well. So I suspect that it will work well in this case, too.