Braised Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Star Anise

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs slowly braised in a fragrant soy and star anise broth, resulting in tender meat infused with deep umami flavors. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs skin-on bone-in chicken thighs, soy sauce, dark soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Chinese cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 6 bone-in chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes until skin is golden and crispy. Flip and sear the other side for 3 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Remove excess fat, then add 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp dark soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 whole star anise pods, 4 smashed garlic cloves, 2-inch sliced ginger, and 1 cup water to the skillet.
  3. Step 3: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover. Let the chicken braise gently for 25 minutes until fully cooked and tender, turning the thighs halfway through.
  4. Step 4: Uncover and increase heat to medium. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken until it thickens and coats the thighs.
  5. Step 5: Garnish with 2 chopped scallion stalks before serving with steamed rice.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Braised Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Star Anise take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Braised Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Star Anise?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep soy sauce from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Star Anise?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Braised Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Star Anise for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Braised Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs with Star Anise?

Chinese chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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