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Vietnamese Caramel Chicken

Tender chicken glazed in a glossy caramel sauce made with fish sauce, creating a perfect sweet-salty-savory balance - trending on food social media.

40 minEasyServes 4340 cal/serving

AsianDinnerStovetopStandard

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 4 tbsp brown sugar
  • 4 tsp fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 shallots, sliced
  • 1 cup water
  • to taste black pepper
  • 4 green onions, chopped
  • 2 tsp sesame seeds
  • 4 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

  2. 2

    Add 4 cloves minced garlic and 2 sliced shallots, stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

  3. 3

    Add 1.5 lbs cut into bite-sized pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the skillet and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the outside is sealed.

  4. 4

    Add 4 tbsp brown sugar to the skillet and stir, allowing the sugar to caramelize for 2-3 minutes until the chicken begins to brown.

  5. 5

    Pour in 4 tsp fish sauce and 1 cup water, stirring well to combine.

  6. 6

    Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F) and the sauce is glossy and reduced.

  7. 7

    Season with to taste black pepper to taste.

  8. 8

    Garnish with 4 chopped green onions, 2 tsp sesame seeds, and 4 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.

  9. 9

    Serve over steamed jasmine rice.

Questions

How long does Vietnamese Caramel Chicken keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Can I halve or double Vietnamese Caramel Chicken?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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