Honey Yuzu Glazed Chicken (Easy Asian Citrus Chicken Recipe)
If you have a jar of yuzu marmalade sitting in your fridge, this honey yuzu glazed chicken is one of the easiest ways to turn it into a delicious weeknight dinner.
The sweet citrus flavor of yuzu pairs perfectly with soy sauce and tender chicken thighs, creating a glossy glaze that is bright, savory, and incredibly comforting. As the sauce bubbles in the pan, it thickens into a sticky coating that clings to every bite.
Best of all, this easy yuzu chicken recipe comes together in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something flavorful without a lot of effort.
Serve it over a bowl of hot rice with simple vegetables, and you have a restaurant-quality meal made right at home!
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What Is Yuzu?
Yuzu is a fragrant citrus fruit commonly used in Japanese and Korean cooking. It looks similar to a small grapefruit but has a unique flavor that blends notes of lemon, mandarin orange, and grapefruit.
The fruit is prized for its bright aroma and floral citrus flavor, which adds freshness to sauces, marinades, and desserts.
Because fresh yuzu can be hard to find, many home cooks use yuzu marmalade or yuzu honey, which captures the fruit’s citrus oils and natural sweetness.
What Is Yuzu Marmalade (Yuzu Honey)?
Yuzu marmalade is a fragrant citrus preserve made from Japanese yuzu, a fruit known for its bright aromatic flavor. It has a unique balance of sweetness and tang with subtle bitterness and floral notes, thanks to the thick aromatic rind used in the marmalade.
It is most commonly used to make warm soothing drinks, especially when mixed with hot water or tea. This is a popular way to enjoy it during colder months since the citrus and honey help coat the throat and feel comforting.
Beyond drinks, it is also used as a spread on toast or crackers or even stirred into yogurt or oatmeal!
When heated in a pan with soy sauce, the marmalade melts into a sweet tangy glaze that works beautifully with chicken.
Why This Honey Yuzu Chicken Recipe Works
This recipe works because it balances three key flavors.
Sweetness
- Honey and yuzu marmalade create a sticky glaze that caramelizes slightly in the pan.
Savory
- Soy sauce adds umami and balances the sweetness.
Citrus freshness
- The yuzu keeps the dish from feeling heavy and adds a fragrant finish.
The result is a simple but incredibly flavorful chicken dish!
More Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes:
Tips for the Best Honey Yuzu Chicken
Use chicken thighs:
- they stay juicy and are more forgiving on a busy weeknight. If you use chicken breast cut it evenly and pull it off the heat as soon as it is cooked through.
Let the chicken brown before adding the sauce:
- Give the chicken a few minutes in the pan without moving it too much. A little color adds flavor and helps the sauce cling better later.
Taste and adjust at the end:
- Different jars of yuzu honey vary in sweetness and tang. Taste the sauce and adjust with a splash of soy sauce or a squeeze of lemon if needed.
What to Serve with Honey Yuzu Chicken
This bright citrus chicken pairs well with simple sides.
Some great options include:
• steamed rice or fried rice
• cucumber salad
• sautéed or roasted vegetables
The extra sauce is especially good drizzled over rice!
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm gently in a pan over medium-low heat or microwave in short intervals until heated through.
If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of water while reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does yuzu taste like?
Yuzu tastes like a mix of lemon, mandarin orange, and grapefruit with a bright floral aroma.
Can I substitute lemon for yuzu?
Lemon can work in a pinch, though it will lack the unique aroma of yuzu.
Is yuzu chicken sweet?
The dish is balanced between sweet, tangy, and savory rather than overly sugary.
Where can I buy yuzu marmalade?
Yuzu marmalade is commonly available at Asian grocery stores or online.
More Asian Inspired Recipes
Ingredients
4 medium Chicken thighs
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp White pepper
- 1 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Cooking wine
- 1/3 cup Corn starch
- 1.5 tbsp Yuzu marmalade
- 1 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 cup Water
- 2 slices Lemon (garnish)
Step by step instructions
1. Marinate the chicken
In a medium bowl, season the boneless chicken thighs with salt, soy sauce, white pepper, and cooking wine. Toss well to coat each piece evenly.
2. Coat the chicken
Pour corn starch into a container and and toss each piece of chicken until lightly and evenly coated. This helps create a golden crust and allows the sauce to cling better later.
3. Sear the chicken
Heat oil in a large pan over medium low heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Avoid moving the chicken too much so it can develop a nice sear.
4. Make the sauce
In a small bowl, mix together the yuzu honey, soy sauce, salt, and water until well combined.
5. Glaze the chicken
Pour the sauce into the pan with the chicken and add the lemon slices. Turn the heat up to medium and let the sauce bubble and thicken, about 1 minute, turning the chicken to coat it evenly.
6. Serve
Remove from heat and serve the honey yuzu chicken over hot rice, spooning extra sauce on top.
Honey Yuzu Glazed Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 medium Chicken thighs
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp White pepper
- 1 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tbsp Cooking wine
- 1/3 cup Corn starch
- 1.5 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 cup Water
- 2 slices Lemon (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken:In a medium bowl, season the boneless chicken thighs with salt, soy sauce, white pepper, and cooking wine. Toss well to coat each piece evenly.
- Coat the chicken:Pour corn starch into a container and and toss each piece of chicken until lightly and evenly coated. This helps create a golden crust and allows the sauce to cling better later.
- Sear the chicken:Heat oil in a large pan over medium low heat. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Avoid moving the chicken too much so it can develop a nice sear.
- Make the sauce:In a small bowl, mix together the yuzu honey, soy sauce, salt, and water until well combined.
- Glaze the chicken:Pour the sauce into the pan with the chicken and add the lemon slices. Turn the heat up to medium and let the sauce bubble and thicken, about 1 minute, turning the chicken to coat it evenly.
- Serve:Remove from heat and serve the honey yuzu chicken over hot rice, spooning extra sauce on top.
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