This 4 ingredient sticky soy sauce chicken is utterly delicious. Ridiculously quick and easy to make, it is perfect when you want a tasty meal in minutes with minimum fuss.
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Sticky Soy Chicken
I love recipes and dishes that deliver loads of flavour with minimum effort. This 4 ingredient sticky soy chicken is a perfect example. The recipe is the essence of simple, and just right for a week-night supper after a long day at work. You just mix up a three ingredient marinade, let the chicken soak for a few minutes and then cook up a full-flavoured treat.
There are so many ways to enjoy this sticky soy chicken. For the fastest, simplest version, eat it tossed into a leafy salad, the fresh leaves contrasting the delicious savoury/umami flavours from the soy sauce. We think this makes a perfect light lunch or supper. For a more substantial dinner, just add rice and some steamed greens. We’re big fans of our microwave rice steamer, which gives us perfectly cooked rice every time in about a quarter of an hour.
If you want to take it a step further, try this sticky soy chicken with my teriyaki sauce.
Soy sauce is so useful in so many recipes that we always make sure we have a bottle or two in the cupboard. Found across Asian cuisines, there is actually a myriad of different types available. Each country has its favourite.
8 facts about soy sauce
- Soy sauce is one of the world’s oldest condiments, originating 2,500 years ago in China. There is a huge variety of different sauces.
- Traditionally fermented soy sauce takes a while to mature: from months for everyday products to years for super premium brands. Always buy the real thing, not chemically produced non-brewed sauces. You’ll really notice the difference.
- Different Asian countries have their own preferred recipes. Traditionally, the Chinese used only soy beans to make soy sauce, while the Japanese used a blend of soybeans and wheat grains. Modern Chinese soy sauce, however, often contains wheat flour.
- Just to muddy the waters, Japanese tamari uses only soybeans and is therefore gluten free.
- Generally, Chinese sauces have a fuller, saltier flavour, while Japanese sauces are sweeter.
- There are numerous varieties of Chinese soy sauce. Light soy sauce, made from the first pressing of the fermented soy beans, is most widely used in cooking. Double fermented light sauces have a richer flavour and are used for dipping. Dark and double dark sauces have been fermented for longer, and can have sugar or molasses added for sweetness. These add richness towards the end of cooking and can be used as a table condiment.
- Sweet soy sauces are good both for cooking (as I have done here) and as a dipping sauce. Sweet soy sauce has added sugar and thickening agents.
Recipe Step by Step
Step 1 – Mix equal quantities of chilli sauce, sweet soy sauce and sesame oil. I use about a dessert spoon of each.
If you don’t have sweet soy sauce use a mix of regular soy sauce and runny honey and maple syrup.
Step 2 – Cut the chicken into bite sized chunks. You can use thighs or breast, cooked or raw. Add to the marinade and give it a good stir to coat. Leave it for about five minutes to soak up the flavours.
Step 3 – Fry the chicken in a little cooking oil in a non-stick pan. The small chunks take very little time to cook through, even if you are using raw meat.
Step 4 – Pour the remaining sauce into the pan. Cook until the sauce reduces down and you’re ready to serve.
This is delicious served with my Chinese style rice.
4 ingredient sticky soy chicken
Ingredients
- 1 dsp Sweet soy sauce
- 1 dsp Sriracha Hot Chilli Sauce
- 1 dsp Sesame oil
- 1 Chicken breast
Instructions
- Mix sweet soy sauce, chilli sauce and sesame oil.
- Cut the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces, and marinate in the sauce mixture for a few minutes.
- Fry the chicken pieces in a non-stick pan, turning regularly, for 10–12 minutes, until nearly cooked through.
- To finish, add the remaining marinade to the frying pan and reduce until thick and sticky.
- Serve, pouring the sauce over the chicken.
Notes
- This recipe is 7 Weight Watchers Smart Points per portionÂ
For another twist on Asian chicken, try my fakeaway recipe for easy chicken chow mein. Use this recipe with beef or vegan tofu too! 
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
I’m a vegetarian but I haven’t really played around with soy meat options. I think my husband would be excited to have a vegetarian version of one of his favorite type of dishes!
Helen
it would make an awesome tofu glaze Liz!
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert
So easy and so much flavor – this recipe is for me! Thanks so much for sharing. I could eat this on a weekly basis. Pretty photos too!
Helen
We have this fairly often. So quick and easy
Nicola @ Happy Healthy Motivated
I would never believe something so beautiful and delicious looking was made with just 4 ingredients if I wasn’t looking at the recipe card right now! Saving this to make asap!
Helen
I like to make life easy for people. Especially for afterwork dinners.
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
I’m all over anything with the words ‘sticky’ and ‘chicken’…this looks and sounds so tasty! I actually have a mini library of soy sauces in my fridge so this is right up my alley, thanks for a great recipe for a busy night :)
Helen
I am obsessed with my soy sauces and tamaris!
Julia @ Happy Foods Tube
This looks like a great recipe. Gotta say it’s been years since I had a soy meat meal. Love your pics and the soy sauce facts!
Helen
Thanks Julia, this is so simple and easy.
Life as Mum
This looks like my kind of meal. Looks and sounds delicious.
Helen
So quick and easy to make, and very tasty.
miranda
I feel as though I’ve been living under a rock! I’ve never heard of soy chicken. id be interested to try it and see which I prefer.
Helen
The chicken is marinated in the sauce made from soy sauce and three other ingredients. Makes it very tasty.
MELANIE EDJOURIAN
This looks great. I love sweet soy but can’t see it in any supermarkets at the moment which is a shame. It must work well with this dish.
Helen
If you don’t have sweet soy sauce, which you should be able to get in an Asian shop, or on the World Food aisle then use regular soy sauce and sweet chilli sauce.
Melanie
I love the soya sauce facts and that there is only 4 ingredients…makes life much easier :)x
Helen
Always good to make life easy, that way we can enjoy tasty meals even mid week.
Rhian Westbury
Soy sauce is a complete staple for me at home and I always make sure that I have a bottle in the cupboard x
Helen
It is a really good ingredient to have handy, so many uses.
Lilinha
Such a delicious recipe! I love how easy it is to make! Yummy!
Helen
It is good to be able to share delicious recipes that are easy to make.
Stephanie Merry
Wow this looks amazing! I love quick and easy dishes like these, so I’ll have to give it a try this weekend x
Helen
so quick and easy
Rebecca Smith
Yum! This looks totally delicious! Soy sauce is a staple in our cupboard and chicken a staple in our fridge – putting this on the meal plan for next week!
Helen
Hope you enjoy it Rebecca.
Louise
This just looks divine! I’ve been looking for some new chicken recipes to try out so I’ll definitely be giving it a try. Thank you for sharing :)
Louise x
Helen
Thanks Louise. Make it as part of a salad or a more substantial meal.
Annie B
Not a combination or something I’d normally make, but this really sounds super tasty. I may need to add it into our weekly food menu!
Helen
it is so good, as well as quick and easy
Jemma @ Celery and Cupcakes
Such a simple recipe, but so much flavour! I love sweet soy sauce :)
Helen
Simple and concentrating on clean flavours is the way to go I think?
Jess | The Indigo Hours
This sounds gorgeous and super simple – the perfect quick & easy recipe for after a long day at work! I’ll definitely be giving this a go! I had no idea there was so much to know about soy sauce!!
Helen
It is perfect for after work. Make up several batches of it and freeze. Pop in the fridge in the morning to defrost.
Baby Isabella
So simple that you don’t need many ingredients. My mummy loves soy sauce (maybe a bit too much) so would love to make this!
Helen
I am soy sauce addicted.
nicol
I love using sweet and original soy sauce whenever I cook. great recipe! honey is delicious in this
Helen
Honey would be great if you cannot get the sweet soy.
Sarah Ann
This sounds like the kind of dish my mum would love. I love soy sauce and have it with all my veggie stir drys.
Helen
I am soy sauce and tamari addicted too!