Baked Honey Soy Chicken

Baked Honey Soy Chicken – simple; ready in under an hour; and perfect for weeknights, weekends, when you have guests over or celebratory meals! 😀

Do you have a favourite meal? Like something you would ask for as part of your last wish before you left this world? I think that’s a confusing question. Because why wouldn’t you use that last wish to eat pizzaaaaa, or something amazing your mum would cook for you? I would DEFINITELY be confused. But just for a moment.

Because I know I would ask for a chance to cook Baked Honey Soy Chicken! Here’s why. Assuming I was being given this last wish by a Demogorgon (Duhh, that’s how I think I’m gonna die! I’ve just recently gotten hooked to Stranger Things, so bear with me 😛), it’s obvious that he (she? it? they?) would be waiting to eat me. And there isn’t anyone for whom I’ve cooked this meal who hasn’t LOVED it! Obviously, when I’d be cooking my last meal, I’d cook enough to share with the Demogorgon. There’s no way he wouldn’t fall prey to the charms of this Baked Honey Soy Chicken and I’m pretty sure it tastes way better than my flesh would. I just saved my life, you guys! 😀

Okay, real talk. This is my favourite meal, to both cook and eat. It’s my fall-back when I’m toying with ideas of what to cook for guests. It’s what I love cooking for my family. It’s so easy to put together and ready to eat within the hour (minus marination time). And it’s the kind of meal I crave on my way back from work, because it calls for minimum effort and pantry staples!

Here’s what you need:

Bone-in Chicken – 750 g (I used thighs and drumsticks)
Olive Oil – 2 tbsp + 1 tbsp for greasing the roasting pan
Honey – 5 tbsp
Dark Soy Sauce – 3 tbsp
Ginger – 1-inch piece, minced
Garlic – 6 cloves, chopped
Chilli flakes – 1 tbsp
Salt & Pepper – to taste
Spring Onions – chopped, for garnish
Cooked Brown Rice/Quinoa – to serve

Here’s how you make this hearty, comforting Baked Honey Soy Chicken:

In a large bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, honey, dark soy sauce, ginger, garlic, chilli flakes, salt and pepper until the marinade comes together.
Pour the marinade over the chicken and massage it into the meat with your fingers for 2 minutes. Then cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes (or you could let it marinate overnight if time permits).
Preheat the oven to 200 ºC/ 390 °F. Grease a deep roasting pan with the remaining olive oil. Then place the chicken pieces in it and pour in any remaining marinade. Bake for 30 minutes. Half-way through the baking process, turn the chicken pieces over to ensure they cook evenly and remain tender and juicy.
Once the chicken has baked for 30 minutes, turn the oven to the broiler setting and let the chicken brown for about 5–10 minutes.
When the chicken has turned a gorgeous caramelized hue, take it out of the oven and garnish with chopped spring onions. Serve hot with brown rice/quinoa, pan juices and some sautéed/steamed veggies.

I could write legends on how many other-world monsters, demons and fairies had their cravings satiated with this divine meal, but let’s be honest, I’ve got to get back to watching Stranger Things. (CANNOT. STOP.) 😛 But before I wander off to the upside-down, I’m going to leave you with a few reasons as to why you are going to fall truly, madly, deeply in love with this scrumptious dish!

It’s got that sticky, sweet, juicy thing going that we all love so much about sticky chicken wings! Yasssss!
It really packs a punch. That’s not to say that it’s too hot and makes my Indian taste buds anxious. It is just this lovely melange of flavours that work beautifully together.
Kids love it! It’s the kind of meal they will not complain about; reduce the chilli flakes and the pepper a bit and you’re good to go!
It works perfectly for week-long meal prepping too. Cook chicken breasts in the same marinade, chop into cubes or strips and pack with some brown rice/quinoa; or toss in a salad with a honey-Dijon mustard dressing. YUM!
I know it’s called ‘Baked’ Honey Soy Chicken, but really, you can cook the chicken in a skillet on the stove over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes on each side (depending on the done-ness you prefer).
You know that unspoken rule where weeknights call for quick and boring meals while weekends are all about elaborate fare? That’s blah; this Baked Honey Soy Chicken is easy and quick enough for a weeknight dinner and just indulgent and delicious enough to cook up over the weekend!

So, there you have it, my lovelies. Fuss-free, minimal-effort, comfort food that is sublime! And if it can turn Demogorgons into non-predatory creatures, it sure can turn a bad day on its heel and put a smile on your face! 😉

For regular updates on what’s happening in The Foodscape kitchen, follow me on Instagram at @thefoodscape! You’ll love all the deliciousness there, I promise! ❤