Shoyu Chicken

Looking for a comforting, flavorful chicken dinner the whole family will devour? This Shoyu Chicken recipe is a must-try! Inspired by Hawaiian home cooking, this dish features tender, juicy chicken thighs braised in soy sauce (shoyu), brown sugar, and aromatics like ginger, garlic, and onion. It’s sweet, savory, and packed with umami. This is perfect served over hot rice with a scoop of creamy mac salad on the side.

Shoyu chicken is a beloved Hawaiian dish where chicken is slowly braised in a mixture of soy sauce (known as "shoyu" in Hawaii), brown sugar, and seasonings. It shares similarities with Filipino chicken adobo, but skips the vinegar for a sweeter, more mellow flavor. The result? Fall-off-the-bone chicken in a rich, salty-sweet sauce that's irresistible.

Ingredients:

3 lb bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

3/4 cup soy sauce (we love using Aloha Shoyu for authentic island flavor)

1.5 cups water

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tbsp mirin (adds depth and sweetness)

1 tbsp honey

1 small onion, sliced

3-inch knob of ginger, sliced

5–6 garlic cloves, smashed

2–3 stalks green onions, sliced (whites and greens separated)

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, add the chicken thighs along with soy sauce, water, mirin, honey, brown sugar, onion, garlic, ginger, and the white parts of the green onion.

2. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat. Once it starts boiling, cover the pot and reduce to a low simmer.

3. After 30 minutes, flip the chicken pieces and skim off any scum or fat from the top. Cover and simmer for another 30 minutes.

4. Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, transfer the thighs to a baking sheet. Broil on low for 5 minutes to lightly crisp the skin.

5. While the chicken is under the broiler, strain the sauce and reduce it over medium-high heat until slightly thickened.

6. Transfer the broiled chicken to a serving dish, pour the reduced sauce over the top, and sprinkle with the sliced green onion tops. Serve hot with steamed white rice and Hawaiian mac salad for a complete island-style meal.

Show me the shoyu