Chef John'S Caramel Chicken Recipe

Name: Chef John'S Caramel Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 3/4 cup dark brown sugar; 1/3 cup cold water; 1/3 cup fish sauce; 1/3 cup rice vinegar; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 4 cloves garlic, crushed; 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger; 1 teaspoon vegetable oil; 8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, quartered; 1/2 cup roasted peanuts; 2 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and sliced; 1 bunch green onions, chopped; fresh cilantro sprigs, for garnish

Servings: persons

3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/3 cup cold water
1/3 cup fish sauce
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
8 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, quartered
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
2 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and sliced
1 bunch green onions, chopped
fresh cilantro sprigs, for garnish

1
Whisk brown sugar, water, fish sauce, rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger in a bowl until brown sugar is completely dissolved, about 1 minute. Set aside.
2
Heat oil over high heat in a skillet. Stir in chicken.
3
Pour 1/3 cup of the brown sugar mixture over chicken; cook and stir until the brown sugar mixture has a syrup-like consistency, 6 to 7 minutes.
4
Pour in the remaining brown sugar mixture; cook until chicken is tender and no longer pink inside, about 5 minutes.
5
Stir in in peanuts, jalapenos and green onion; cook until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes.
6
Garnish with cilantro and serve.

663

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Brown sugar instead of white sugar adds a deeper, more caramel-like flavor.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 13 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, 1/3 cup cold water, 1/3 cup fish sauce, 1/3 cup rice vinegar, and more.

Yes, Chef John'S Caramel Chicken falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Chef John'S Caramel Chicken

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions