Sticky Chicken

A close up plate full of chicken with a sticky glaze that is topped with garnish and peppers. There are lemons in the foreground and broccoli and rice in the background. The chicken is cut into thin pieces

from_my_point_of_view / Getty Images

Prep: 24 hrs 10 mins
Cook: 18 mins
Total: 24 hrs 28 mins
Servings: 6 to 8 servings

This recipe is one that kids just love. Our only advice is to make sure the chicken has cooled a bit before you serve it because the sugar makes the glaze very hot.

You can make this recipe for sticky chicken with boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Just increase the cooking time by 10 to 15 minutes. And be sure to watch the chicken carefully in the sauce. Because there's so much sugar in it, it can burn easily.

You can reduce the sugar in this recipe a bit if you'd like, but not too much since it is crucial to the texture and flavor of the sauce and the flavor. We would only take out a few tablespoons of the sugar. Don't use a sugar substitute in this recipe because it will not work and the sauce will become bitter.

Serve this recipe with lots of napkins or wet wipes, some rice pilaf or cooked pasta mixed with butter and Parmesan cheese, and a green salad or steamed carrots or green beans. An ice cream pie or brownies for dessert would be wonderful.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 3 garlic cloves (minced)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger root
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Steps to Make It

  1. Combine all of the ingredients except the chicken in a shallow baking dish and stir until the sugars dissolve.

  2. Add the chicken and turn to coat well.

  3. Cover the dish tightly with foil and chill in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours.

  4. When you are ready to eat, transfer the chicken and the marinade to a large heavy nonstick skillet.

  5. Bring to a boil over medium heat.

  6. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 8 to 13 minutes, moving each piece around with tongs occasionally.

  7. Check the breasts for doneness (160 F on an instant-read thermometer) and remove to a shallow pan as soon as they test done.

  8. Cover the cooked chicken and place in a warm oven to keep warm.

  9. Increase the heat to medium when the chicken is all cooked and removed from the pan, and cook the marinade remaining in the skillet until syrupy, stirring occasionally at first, then stirring constantly as the mixture starts to thicken. This should take about 4 to 7 minutes total.

  10. Return the chicken to the skillet, coat it with the sauce, and serve sticky chicken immediately - with lots of hot cooked rice and napkins!

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
386 Calories
15g Fat
29g Carbs
33g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6 to 8
Amount per serving
Calories 386
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 20%
Saturated Fat 4g 21%
Cholesterol 95mg 32%
Sodium 1074mg 47%
Total Carbohydrate 29g 10%
Dietary Fiber 1g 2%
Protein 33g
Calcium 59mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)