Have you ever heard of or tried shoyu chicken? If you answered no, that’s ok because I am here to explain what it is and why you need to put this into your dinner rotation! This easy shoyu chicken recipe is a Hawaiian-inspired dish — soy sauce is commonly called ‘shoyu’ in Hawaii, which is how this skillet chicken dinner got its name! This one-pot (or one-skillet) recipe starts with chicken thighs that are cooked in a sweet and savory sauce. The recipe has layers of flavor thanks to the combination of salty soy sauce, tangy rice vinegar, sweet mirin, and aromatic garlic and ginger. This sauce simmers and then you thicken it at the end to coat every inch of those glorious chicken thighs. We love eating this chicken with steamed white rice, vegetables, or a Hawaiian macaroni salad. The rice acts as a sponge and soaks up the excess sauce, so every bite of this dish is infused with shoyu flavor! The next time you need a fast, easy dinner recipe that can be made in a single skillet, make this Hawaiian-style shoyu chicken. 30-minute meals like this are lifesavers on busy weeknights!
Ingredients for This Recipe
You need very few ingredients to make shoyu-style chicken, but there are a couple specialty items you might not keep stocked in your pantry such as mirin or rice vinegar. However, your local major grocery store chain should have everything in the Asian or ethnic foods section. Or just order online with the links provided. Note: Scroll down to the recipe card section of the post for the ingredients with amounts included and for more complete directions.
How to Make Hawaiian-Style Shoyu Chicken
This is such a quick and easy recipe with minimal babysitting involved. You only have to flip the chicken once while it cooks, so I suggest using the rest of the cook time to prepare the rice, steam some veggies, or throw together a simple side salad. Here’s an overview of how the Hawaiian-style recipe is prepared:
How to Tell When Chicken Thighs Are Done
You’ll know the bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are done when they’re no longer pink inside and the juices run clear when pierced with a fork. To be completely sure the chicken thighs are done, don’t guess! Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. If the internal temperature registers 170ºF to 175ºF, the chicken is done. Technically, chicken thighs are safe to eat once it registers an internal temperature of 165ºF. However, dark meat (like thighs) is tougher and therefore needs to cook for longer in order to fully tenderize and be super juicy.
More Easy Hawaiian-Inspired Recipes:
Hawaiian Grilled Chicken and Pineapple — Transports you to Hawaii with every bite of this tender, juicy chicken and the grilled pineapple seals the deal!! EASY, HEALTHY, ready in 10 minutes, and perfect for summer parties, barbecues, and casual weeknight dinners!! Freezer: Let the chicken cool down before sealing in an airtight container or freezer bag. Be sure to freeze the chicken with the sauce to keep it moist! Freeze for up to 3 months. To Reheat: Reheat individual servings in the microwave in 30-second intervals or as desired. Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes! Pineapple Teriyaki Chicken Skewers — Fast, easy, and loaded with sweet-and-savory pineapple teriyaki flavor! Made with just a handful of basic ingredients, these grilled chicken skewers will be a family FAVORITE! Serve with coconut rice in a pineapple for a showstopping presentation! Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken — This Crockpot chicken recipe is packed with pineapple flavor thanks to the combination of pineapple preserves and canned pineapple. Serve it over rice for a quick weeknight dinner! Crockpot Hawaiian Meatballs — The EASIEST slow cooker meatball recipe that’s sure to be a hit at parties and events! Or turn this into a no-fuss weeknight meal and serve these pineapple-infused Hawaiian meatballs over rice! Made with only 6 ingredients so you can just set your slow cooker and let it do all the work! Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pulled Pork — Pork is slow cooked to perfection and has Hawaiian-inspired flavors from pineapple and teriyaki sauce! Sweet, tangy, tender, and juicy! It makes the best pulled pork sandwiches that everyone loves! Hawaiian Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice — A Hawaiian-inspired shrimp fried rice recipe that’s EASY, ready in minutes, and has so much authentic flavor!! A family favorite that’s better than takeout!! 15-Minute Hawaiian Sheet Pan Shrimp — Juicy pineapple, tender shrimp, and rice with a touch of heat and tons of tropical FLAVOR!! Made on ONE sheet pan, ready so FAST, and perfect for busy weeknights! Hawaiian Ham and Swiss Sliders — Grilled pineapple slices brushed with a soy and ginger marinade add a Hawaiian-inspired twist to these irresistible sandwiches! Juicy ham, melted Swiss cheese, and melted butter are impossible to resist! FAST, EASY, perfect as a game day or party appetizer, snack, or quick weeknight dinner!
