Description
Sticky Guinness Chicken is a flavorful and tender skillet chicken dish inspired by Irish flavors. Chicken thighs are browned and simmered in a rich sauce made with Guinness stout, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, and spices until the sauce becomes glossy and sticky. This easy stovetop recipe delivers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes, making it an excellent main course served over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce and Flavorings
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 cup Guinness stout beer
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Thickening and Garnish
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until lightly browned on all sides while stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the Guinness beer, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, tomato paste, rice vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Stir the mixture well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Simmer the Sauce: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to medium. Allow it to cook uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce reduces and intensifies in flavor.
- Thicken the Sauce: Stir the cornstarch slurry (cornstarch mixed with water) to recombine and pour it into the skillet. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens, becoming glossy and sticky, coating the chicken pieces beautifully.
- Final Touches and Serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Sprinkle the dish with sliced green onions and optional sesame seeds for garnish. Serve immediately over steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles to enjoy the rich sauce.
Notes
- Serve over steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles to soak up the rich sauce.
- Chicken thighs are preferred for their tenderness, but chicken breast can be used if cut into even pieces.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
