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caramel chicken

Caramel Chicken (easy 30-minute recipe)

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Caramel Chicken is one of my favorite chicken recipes. A popular Vietnamese dish made with a sweet, lightly spicy and savory caramel sauce. 

You only need a few ingredients and a wok, and you’re good to go!

Serve this with some rice, and enjoy! 

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2-4 1x

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs boneless chicken thighs (5-6 pieces)

3 tbsp of neutral oil (I used avocado oil)

5 cloves of minced garlic

1 Fresno chili

green onion

cilantro for garnish

Marinade:

2 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp fish sauce

1 tbsp dark soy sauce

black pepper

Caramel Sauce:

1 tbsp fish sauce

1 tbsp of sugar

1 tbsp rice vinegar

1/4 cup of water

Instructions

  1. Add your chicken to a medium size bowl. Add the marinade ingredients and marinate your boneless chicken for 5-10 minutes while you prep the rest of your ingredients.
  2. Mince the garlic, and slice the green onions. Separate the white from the green parts. Mince your chili. You can keep the seeds in if your dish is extra spicy.
  3. In another bowl, combine the caramel sauce ingredients and set it aside.
  4. In medium heat, add a tiny bit of oil to the wok. Brown your chicken pieces. Don't brown too much, as it will burn. Just a slight char would be perfect. Do it in batches. Remove and set aside.
  5. Add the remaining oil and the aromatics (garlic, white part of the green onions, and chili). Saute until fragrant - 1 minute.
  6. Add back the chicken and the caramel sauce mixture in the wok. Cover the wok with a lid and let it simmer for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked. 
  7. Remove the lid, bring the to medium-high heat and let the sauce reduce and caramelize. 3-5 minutes.
  8. Add the rest of your garnish. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Garnish ideas: more chilis, cilantro, and green part of the green onion.

  • Author: Carmen
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: mains
  • Method: wok
  • Cuisine: vietnamese