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Sticky pantry chicken thighs served with vegetables on a plate

Sticky Pantry Chicken Thigh

A simple yet flavorful dish featuring juicy chicken thighs coated in a sticky sauce, perfect for family meals.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 375
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Sauce
  • 1/3 cup ketchup (or tomato sauce, Australian style)
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp Dijon or American mustard
  • 2 tbsp hot sauce (optional) Adjust according to taste
  • 2 tbsp vinegar (any kind)
  • 2.5 tbsp honey
  • 2 cloves garlic (crushed) Freshly minced garlic can enhance the aroma
Main Ingredients
  • 1 tbsp oil (for frying) Vegetable or olive oil recommended
  • 6 pieces chicken thigh fillets (boneless, skinless; between 1.5-2lb / 750g-1kg) Ensure it's tender and juicy
  • 0.5 tsp cooking/kosher salt To enhance flavor
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper Freshly cracked for better flavor
  • 0.5 cup water To help create the glaze

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a medium bowl, combine the ketchup, soy sauce, mustard, hot sauce (if using), vinegar, honey, and crushed garlic. Whisk together until well blended and set aside.
  2. Sprinkle each piece of chicken thigh with cooking/kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
Cooking
  1. In a large non-stick pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Quickly dip each piece of chicken in the prepared sauce, shaking off any excess, and place in the hot pan.
  3. Cook for about 3 minutes on the first side until caramelized, then flip and cook for another 2 minutes, or until almost cooked through.
  4. Add the remaining sauce and water to the pan. Bring to a rapid simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Serving
  1. Remove the pan from heat, turning the chicken in the sauce to coat completely. Serve on plates with the remaining sauce.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken thighs in the sauce for 30 minutes before cooking. Adjust the level of heat in the dish by modifying the amount of hot sauce used. This dish pairs well with rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.