Name: Mahogany Chicken
Total time: PLACEHOLDER
Ingredients: 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (5 ounces each), trimmed of excess fat; Ground black pepper; 2 teaspoons vegetable oil; 1/2 cup soy sauce; 1/4 cup sugar; 2 tablespoons mirin , sweet sherry, or white wine; 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger; 1 medium clove garlic , minced; 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch; 2 scallions , sliced thin on diagonal

Why This Recipe Works

Our Mahogany Chicken recipe started with browning the chicken thighs—skin side first—until deeply browned and very crisp. We then flipped the meat and cooked the second side for about half the time. This method melted away much of the fat beneath the skin, leaving it very crisp. Once the chicken was browned, we briefly simmered it in a sauce of soy sauce, sugar, mirin, cornstarch, garlic, and ginger. The chicken absorbed the sauce’s flavor and color, and the cornstarch in the sauce thickened it and lent it a glossy sheen. Grating the ginger dispersed its flavor through the sauce better than if we had minced it.

Before You Begin

A splatter screen (or a large, inverted strainer/colander) is helpful for reducing the mess when browning the chicken. Serve with plain steamed rice. Mirin is sweetened Japanese rice wine sold in the international aisle at many supermarkets, usually near the soy sauce.

Instructions

Dry chicken thoroughly with paper towels and season with pepper. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook chicken, skin side down (thighs will fit into pan snugly), until skin is deep brown and crisp, 15 to 20 minutes. (Chicken should be moderately brown after 10 minutes. If too browned, reduce heat; if pale, increase heat). Turn chicken over, reduce heat to medium, and cook until second side is brown and meat is thoroughly cooked, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk soy sauce, sugar, mirin, ginger, garlic, and cornstarch together in small bowl.

Transfer chicken to plate and pour off fat. Add soy mixture to skillet and return to medium heat. Return chicken to skillet, turn to coat with sauce, and simmer, skin side up, until sauce is thick and glossy, about 2 minutes. Transfer chicken to serving platter and sprinkle with scallions. Pour remaining sauce into small bowl and pass separately. Serve.