This Vietnamese caramel chicken recipe features chicken thighs that are slow simmered until tender in a coconut brown sugar sauce. The end result is super juicy and tender chicken in a flavorful savory and sweet sauce. Great for weeknight dinners!

If you love easy chicken recipes, then try my French Onion Chicken and my Easy Chicken Stir Fry!

Three Vietnamese Caramel Chicken thighs on a white baking dish with sliced green onions | chefsavvy.com

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    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    Vietnamese caramel chicken is my latest obsession. Tender chicken thighs simmered low and slow until tender and crispy on the outside. The chicken is cooked in an irresistible coconut brown sugar sauce. The sauce is made up of rice vinegar, fish sauce, brown sugar and coconut milk. The sauce is the best part of this dish!

    This recipe is super simple to make. Everything gets cooked in one skillet! The chicken thighs are simmered in the sauce until the sauce is thickened and most of the liquid is absorbed.

    I like to serve this Vietnamese Caramel Coconut Chicken with a side of rice and a vegetable to make it a filling meal. Enjoy!

    Ingredients

    • Chicken thighs (bone-in and skin-on is preferred)
    • Light brown sugar
    • Water
    • Coconut milk (full-fat, unsweetened)
    • Fish sauce
    • Rice wine vinegar
    • Garlic
    • A jalapeño
    • Green onions

    How To Make It

    • Make the sauce: Heat brown sugar and water in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk constantly until mixture starts to thicken slightly and bubble, 1-2 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, fish sauce, rice vinegar, garlic and jalapeño.
    • Cook the Chicken: Add in chicken skin side down and simmer for 25 minutes over medium heat. (If the sauce is getting too brown turn down the heat) Flip chicken and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes. Turn chicken once more so it is skin side down. Cook for a 1-2 more minutes to brown the skin and remove from the heat.
    • Serve: Immediately with green onions for garnish if desired.

    Serving Suggestions

    Three Vietnamese Caramel Chicken thighs on a white plate with a metal spatula | chefsavvy.com

    Substitutions and Variations

    • If you prefer crispier chicken thighs, you can bake them in the oven at 375 for 25 minutes, and then finish them off in the skillet with the sauce.
    • Serve with toasted sesame seeds or sliced almonds in addition to the sliced green onions for some crunch.
    • Swap the brown sugar for honey if you’re trying to avoid refined sugars.
    • Not a fan of dark meat? You could use bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts. Just be careful not to dry them out.
    • Or if you prefer boneless, skinless chicken thighs, use those instead!
    • Spice up the Vietnamese caramel chicken sauce by adding some cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes.

    Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions

    • Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
    • Freeze this Vietnamese caramel chicken once cooled in an airtight, freezer-safe container or plastic bag for up to 1 month.
    • Reheat chilled leftovers (or thawed from the freezer) in a skillet over medium-low heat or the microwave until warmed through.

    More Chicken Recipes To Try

    Vietnamese Caramel Chicken

    Vietnamese Caramel Chicken. Chicken thighs simmered until tender in a coconut brown sugar sauce!
    Servings: 4
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

    Ingredients 

    Instructions 

    • Heat brown sugar and water in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Whisk constantly until mixture starts to thicken slightly and bubble, 1-2 minutes.
    • Stir in coconut milk, fish sauce, rice vinegar, garlic and jalapeño.
    • Add in chicken skin side down and simmer for 25 minutes over medium heat. (If the sauce is getting too brown turn down the heat)
    • Flip chicken and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes.
    • Turn chicken once more so it is skin side down. Cook for a 1-2 more minutes to brown the skin and remove from the heat.
    • Serve immediately with green onions for garnish if desired.

    Notes

    Adapted from Recipe Tin Eats

    Nutrition Information

    Calories: 621kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 26gFat: 48gSaturated Fat: 27gCholesterol: 142mgSodium: 662mgPotassium: 601mgFiber: 2gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 3mg

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