Soy Sauce Chicken and Ginger Scallion Sauce Recipe you can make at home - with Kikkoman

Soy Sauce Chicken and Ginger Scallion Sauce Recipe you can make at home - with Kikkoman is a medium Chinese recipe that serves 4. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by ieatishootipost on YouTube.

Prep: 20 min | Cook: 40 min | Total: 1 hr 15 min

Cost: $10.42 total, $2.61 per serving

Ingredients

  • 1.8 kg Whole Chicken (cleaned, skin on, cut in half after skin tightening)
  • 1 tsp Salt (for rubbing inside the chicken cavity)
  • 30 g Raw Sugar (can substitute rock sugar or white granulated sugar)
  • 120 ml Water (for dissolving sugar while caramelizing)
  • 1 piece Cinnamon Stick (adds warm spice to the braising liquid)
  • 2 pieces Star Anise (provides aromatic licorice notes)
  • 120 ml Kikkoman Soy Sauce (naturally brewed soy sauce, no MSG)
  • 30 ml Sake (Japanese rice wine for depth)
  • 30 ml Mirin (sweet Japanese cooking wine)
  • 1 tsp Dashi Powder (instant Japanese stock powder)
  • 30 ml Rosé Wine (adds subtle fruity aroma)
  • 3 pieces Scallions (white and green parts separated, chopped)
  • 30 g Fresh Ginger (about 2 inches, grated and excess juice squeezed out)
  • 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil (for ginger‑scallion oil)
  • 1 tsp Chicken Stock Powder (adds umami to the dipping oil)
  • 1 tsp Sugar (balances the ginger‑scallion oil)

Instructions

  1. Tighten the Chicken Skin

    Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, then pour the hot water over the whole chicken skin side up. Let it sit for about 2 minutes until the skin tightens, then pat dry with paper towels.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Prepare the Chicken

    Rinse the chicken under cold water, place on a cutting board and cut it in half lengthwise using kitchen scissors, following the backbone. Rub the cavity with 1 tsp salt and rinse again.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Caramelize the Sugar

    In the large pot, add 30 g raw sugar and 120 ml water. Heat over medium‑high, stirring gently until the sugar turns a deep amber and the mixture becomes syrupy.

    Time: PT5M

  4. Build the Braising Sauce

    Add the cinnamon stick, star anise, 120 ml Kikkoman soy sauce, 30 ml sake, 30 ml mirin, 1 tsp dashi powder, and 30 ml rosé wine to the caramel. Stir and bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 minutes to let the alcohol evaporate.

    Time: PT5M

  5. Braise the Chicken

    Gently lower the chicken halves, skin side down, into the pot ensuring they are fully submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover with a drop lid. Simmer for 30 minutes, turning once halfway through.

    Time: PT30M

  6. Reduce the Sauce to a Glaze

    Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate. Pour out most of the braising liquid, leaving about 1/4 cup in the pot. Increase heat to medium‑high and reduce until the sauce thickens and bubbles become larger, about 8‑10 minutes.

    Time: PT10M

  7. Make Ginger‑Scallion Oil

    Finely chop the white parts of the scallions and set aside. Grate the ginger, then squeeze to extract juice, discarding excess liquid. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a small pan over medium heat, add the ginger fibers and stir for 30 seconds, then add the white scallion, 1 tsp chicken stock powder, and 1 tsp sugar. Turn off the heat and stir in the green scallion parts.

    Time: PT5M

  8. Glaze and Serve

    Brush the reduced glaze over the chicken pieces, ensuring an even coat. Drizzle the ginger‑scallion oil on top, slice the chicken, and serve hot with steamed rice or noodles.

    Time: PT2M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
30 g
Carbohydrates
10 g
Fat
15 g
Fiber
1 g

Dietary info: non‑vegetarian, contains gluten

Allergens: soy, wheat, alcohol

Last updated: April 17, 2026

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Soy Sauce Chicken and Ginger Scallion Sauce Recipe you can make at home - with Kikkoman

Recipe by ieatishootipost

A classic Hong Kong‑style soy sauce chicken made easy by halving the bird and tightening the skin with hot water. The chicken is braised in a fragrant soy‑based sauce with cinnamon, star anise, sake, mirin, dashi and a splash of rosé wine, then finished with a glossy reduction and a bright ginger‑scallion oil. Perfect for a Chinese New Year feast or a comforting weeknight dinner.

MediumChineseServes 4

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
25m
Prep
42m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 17m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$10.42
Total cost
$2.61
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Hot‑water skin tightening to prevent wrinkling
  • Caramelizing sugar without burning
  • Ensuring the chicken stays fully submerged during braising
  • Reducing the braising liquid to a proper glaze
  • Preparing ginger‑scallion oil without over‑cooking ginger

Safety Warnings

  • Hot water used to tighten skin can cause burns – handle with care.
  • Caramelizing sugar reaches high temperatures; avoid splatter.
  • Alcoholic wine evaporates quickly; keep the kitchen well‑ventilated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of Hong Kong Style Soy Sauce Chicken in Cantonese cuisine?

A

Soy sauce chicken, known as "Yee Mei Gai" in Cantonese, is a staple of Hong Kong street food and home cooking. It dates back to early 20th‑century tea houses where cheap chicken was braised in soy sauce to create a flavorful, tender dish that could be served with rice or noodles.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of soy sauce chicken in Hong Kong versus mainland China?

A

In Hong Kong the dish often uses a lighter, naturally brewed soy sauce like Kikkoman and includes aromatics such as star anise and cinnamon. Mainland versions may use darker soy sauce, add Shaoxing wine, and sometimes incorporate five‑spice powder for a richer, more robust flavor.

cultural
Q

How is soy sauce chicken traditionally served in Hong Kong households during Chinese New Year?

A

It is typically served whole or halved on a platter, sliced into bite‑size pieces, and accompanied by steamed rice, noodles, or a simple vegetable stir‑fry. The glossy, amber glaze symbolizes prosperity and is often the centerpiece of the festive spread.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations is Hong Kong Style Soy Sauce Chicken traditionally associated with in Cantonese culture?

A

Soy sauce chicken is a popular dish for Lunar New Year, birthday banquets, and family gatherings because its rich, golden color is considered auspicious and it can be prepared in large quantities for many guests.

cultural
Q

What authentic traditional ingredients are essential for a genuine Hong Kong Style Soy Sauce Chicken and what are acceptable substitutes?

A

Key ingredients include a naturally brewed soy sauce (e.g., Kikkoman), raw or rock sugar, star anise, cinnamon stick, sake, mirin, and dashi powder. Substitutes can be dry sherry for sake, sweet rice wine for mirin, and instant chicken bouillon for dashi powder.

cultural
Q

What other Cantonese dishes pair well with Hong Kong Style Soy Sauce Chicken?

A

It pairs beautifully with steamed bok choy, garlic‑chive noodles, fried rice, or a simple egg fried rice. A light soup such as winter melon with dried shrimp balances the richness of the chicken.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Hong Kong Style Soy Sauce Chicken at home?

A

Common errors include over‑caramelizing the sugar, letting the skin wrinkle by cutting before tightening, and reducing the braising liquid too much before the chicken is cooked, which can lead to dry meat.

technical
Q

Why does this recipe use hot water to tighten the chicken skin instead of simply cutting the bird whole?

A

Hot water denatures the proteins in the skin, causing it to contract and stay smooth when the chicken is halved. This prevents the skin from pulling back and becoming wrinkled, ensuring a glossy, even glaze.

technical
Q

Can I make Hong Kong Style Soy Sauce Chicken ahead of time and how should I store it?

A

Yes, you can braise the chicken a day ahead, then refrigerate in an airtight container. Reheat gently, brush with fresh glaze, and add the ginger‑scallion oil just before serving for the best texture.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel ieatishootipost specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel ieatishootipost focuses on Asian street food, home‑cooked Asian classics, and detailed technique tutorials, often highlighting authentic flavors with approachable home‑cooking tips.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel ieatishootipost's approach to Cantonese cooking differ from other Asian cooking channels?

A

ieatishootipost emphasizes practical shortcuts—like the hot‑water skin‑tightening hack—while still preserving authentic flavor profiles, whereas many channels stick to traditional, sometimes more labor‑intensive methods.

channel

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