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Butter Soy Chicken Thumbnail – Soy Glazed Butter Chicken
Erwina

Soy Glazed Butter Chicken

Tasty and delicious Indonesian-style soy glazed butter chicken — juicy baked or fried chicken tossed in a rich, savory-sweet butter sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:
  • 6 pieces chicken thighs bone-in skin-on preferred (boneless thighs or breast also work)
  • 1/2-1 tsp Lawry's seasoned salt or salt and pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp lemon pepper or lemon juice
For the Sauce:
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 medium onion half diced and half sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp sweet soy sauce kecap manis
  • 1/2 tsp salt or soy sauce to taste
  • 1/2 tsp sugar to taste
  • 1/2 tsp chicken powder optional (or mushroom powder/dashi)
  • 2-3 tbsp water
  • 2 green onions

Equipment

  • Oven, deep fryer, or air fryer
  • Large pan or skillet

Method
 

  1. Pat dry the chicken (bone-in, skin-on thighs work well, but boneless thighs or breast are fine too).
  2. Season both sides with the Lawry's seasoned salt, garlic powder, and lemon pepper (or lemon juice).
  3. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes, then flip and cook for another 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. (Or deep fry until well browned and cooked through.)
  4. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce: dice half the onion and set the other half aside, sliced, for later.
  5. Heat a pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter, and cook the diced onion for 3-5 minutes until soft.
  6. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
  7. Stir in the oyster sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, sugar, and chicken powder (if using).
  8. Add the cooked chicken along with its flavorful juices, then stir to combine.
  9. Add the water, the remaining sliced onion, green onions, and sweet soy sauce. Stir and simmer briefly to bring everything together.
  10. Serve hot with jasmine rice and sautéed vegetables.

Notes

Cooking the Chicken
Baking, deep frying, or air frying all work well here — pick whichever method is easiest for you. Just make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before tossing it in the sauce.
Sweet Soy Sauce
Don't substitute the sweet soy sauce (kecap manis) — it's key to getting that rich, glossy, savory-sweet glaze. It's also fantastic brushed on grilled meats or used as a BBQ marinade.
Serving Suggestion
This dish pairs perfectly with steamed jasmine rice and sautéed vegetables like spinach or broccoli in garlic sauce.