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Mahogany Chicken

This sweet, sour, and salty chicken gets its name from the rich, dark soy sauce. It’s quick to prepare, and the one-pan prep makes it easy to clean up. “Using a splatter screen (or a large, inverted strainer/colander) is helpful for reducing the mess when browning the chicken,” says Epicurious member Joy Vaughns. Serve the chicken with steamed rice and a crunchy green vegetable.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 4 servings

Ingredients

1/3 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons mirin, sweet sherry, or white wine
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
8 bone-in skin-on (5-ounce) chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 green onions (white and light green parts only), thinly sliced on the diagonal

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sugar, mirin, ginger, garlic, and cornstarch.

    Step 2

    Pat the chicken dry and season with freshly ground black pepper.

    Step 3

    In a large nonstick skillet over moderate heat, heat the oil until hot but not smoking. Add the chicken skin side down, and cook until the skin is crisp and deep golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Flip and continue cooking until the other side is browned and the meat is thoroughly cooked, about 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and drain the fat from the pan.

    Step 4

    Add the soy sauce mixture to the skillet and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to the skillet and turn to coat in the sauce. Simmer the chicken, skin side up, until the sauce is thick and glossy, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a platter, spoon the sauce over the top, sprinkle with the sliced onions, and serve.

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