Caramelized Chicken Ga Kho Recipe

I absolutely adore this recipe because it transforms simple chicken thighs into a rich, flavorful dish that feels like a culinary adventure perfect for impressing friends at a dinner party. The sweet and savory combination of caramelized sugar and fish sauce creates this irresistibly sticky glaze that keeps me coming back for more!

Caramelized Chicken Ga Kho is a perfect example of combining rich flavors with simple ingredients. I love creating dishes like this because they yield impressive results with minimal effort.

Chicken thighs, fish sauce, and caramelized sugar provide the deep umami, sweetness, and savoriness that this dish offers. Garlic, ginger, and shallots lend aromatic notes that make the dish even more delicious.

You can bet that this Asian-inspired dish will wow your friends and family.

Ingredients

Chicken Thighs/Drumsticks:
High in protein, bolsters muscle growth.

Fish Sauce:
Delivers rich umami, crucial for multidimensional taste.

Sugar:
Sweetness results from the caramelization.

The fish sauce is salty.

Garlic:
Delivers a powerful taste and is packed with health-promoting antioxidants.

Ginger:
Provides warmth, helps with digestion, and has anti-inflammatory effects.

Black Pepper:
Improves flavor, increases nutrient uptake.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 1/2 pounds chicken thighs or drumsticks, bone-in and skin-on
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 red chili, sliced (optional)

Instructions

1. Start with heating the vegetable oil in a big pan over a medium-high flame.

2. Combine the sugar in the pan and stir constantly until the sugar dissolves and clouds turn into a deep amber caramel, about 3 to 5 minutes.

3. Add the fish sauce and water to the caramelized sugar very carefully, stirring to mix them well. This will bubble up and make a lot of noise, so it is wise to proceed with caution and ensure your body and clothing are safe from splashes. Уou may also want to consider what will happen if the mixture bubbles over.

4. Decrease the heat to medium and add the minced garlic, diced shallot, and grated ginger to the skillet. Stir and sauté for approximately 1 minute until they become aromatic.

5. Put the chicken parts into the pan, skin side down, and cook for approximately 5 minutes until the skin is a rich golden brown.

6. Invert the chicken pieces and dust them with black pepper. Enclose the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Allow the chicken to cook in the sauce for 20 to 25 minutes, or until it is cooked through.

7. From time to time, ladle the sauce over the portioned chicken to guarantee an even coat and a thoroughly flavored dish by the time it’s ready to eat.

8. Once the chicken has been cooked and the sauce reduced to a sticky consistency, remove from heat.

9. If you are using red chilies, chop them up and use them to garnish the chicken. Also, garnish the chicken with chopped green onions.

10. The traditional dish of caramelized chicken can be eaten with any side of your choice; my preferred accompaniment is steamed rice. The dish’s rich, caramelized sauce—with all its complex, wonderful flavors—makes for the perfect pairing with a simple side of rice.

Equipment Needed

1. Large pan or skillet with a lid
2. Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
3. Measuring cups
4. Measuring spoons
5. Knife
6. Cutting board
7. Grater (for ginger)
8. Ladle

FAQ

• What does “Ga Kho” mean?Vietnamese cuisine encompasses many unique preparations, one of which is Ga Kho. Here, “Ga” means chicken, while “Kho” signifies a cooking method akin to that of a Western braise. Braising occurs when meat—often tougher cuts requiring long, slow cooking to render them tender—is first browned and then placed in a pot with a small amount of liquid.
• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs or drumsticks?It is possible to use chicken breasts, but they might not be quite as juicy and flavorful as thighs or drumsticks because breasts are leaner.
• Is it necessary to use fish sauce?For an authentic flavor, fish sauce is essential, but you can use soy sauce instead—it’s a good substitute if you need to avoid fish sauce, and it gives the food a different, less pungent flavor that isn’t too far off the mark.
• What type of sugar is best for this recipe?White granulated sugar is what you typically want to use, but you can try brown sugar for a deeper caramel flavor.
• How spicy is this dish with the red chili?The spice level is mild with one red chili, but you can adjust it to suit your taste by adding more or omitting it entirely.
• Can I make this dish ahead of time?Indeed, Ga Kho can be prepared in advance, and it often tastes even better the next day as the flavors mingle. To serve, reheat it gently.
• How do I serve Ga Kho?It is served in the traditional way with freshly steamed rice, which can soak up all the delicious sauce, and with a side of fresh vegetables, which provide a nice contrast of texture.

Substitutions and Variations

Vegetable oil, 1 tablespoon: substitute with olive oil or canola oil
1/4 cup sugar: Replace with either brown sugar or honey.
1/4 cup fish sauce: opt for soy sauce if you want a less bold taste
1 shallot, finely chopped; substitute with half a small onion, finely chopped
Two tablespoons of ginger, in its grated form, may be replaced with two teaspoons of ginger in its ground form.

Pro Tips

1. Caramel Timing Keep a close watch when caramelizing the sugar. It can go from perfect to burnt quickly. Pull it off the heat as soon as it reaches a deep amber color to prevent bitterness.

2. Fish Sauce Caution When adding fish sauce to the caramel, do it gradually and from a height to avoid splashing, as the mixture will bubble vigorously. Consider using a long-handled spoon for stirring to keep a safe distance.

3. Enhanced Flavor Marinate the chicken in a mix of fish sauce and a bit of ginger for 30 minutes before cooking. This will deepen the infusion of flavors into the chicken.

4. Crispier Skin For extra crispy skin, you can sear the chicken pieces separately in a hot pan before adding them to the caramel sauce. This will add a delightful texture contrast to the dish.

5. Balancing the Spice Adjust the amount of red chili to suit your spice preference. If you prefer a milder dish, remove the seeds from the chili before slicing. For a spicier kick, add more slices or include the seeds.