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.
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
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1
Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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2
Add 4 cloves minced garlic and 2 sliced shallots, stir-fry for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
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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.
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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.
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5
Pour in 4 tsp fish sauce and 1 cup water, stirring well to combine.
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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.
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7
Season with to taste black pepper to taste.
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8
Garnish with 4 chopped green onions, 2 tsp sesame seeds, and 4 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.
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9
Serve over steamed jasmine rice.