Many of you might know that I started my YouTube channel as a culinary school student in San Francisco. During my time in the Bay Area, I worked close to a famous Vietnamese restaurant called The Slanted Door which was famous for a dish called “caramel chicken.” The subject of my latest video:
It was so famous that almost every table ordered it, and the chef, Charles Phan, has since shared the recipe with many publications. Upon reading one of these publications, I was surprised to find that their recipe has no caramel in it despite its name! I expand more about their version in the video.
But this got me curious and took me down a rabbit hole of research that eventually led me to coming up with my own recipe that actually uses caramel, which is the traditional way.
All of that rich brown colour comes not from any soy sauce, but deeply caramelized sugar, which is also responsible for its amazingly complex flavours given the simplicity of the seasonings.
It’s easy, takes only 40 minutes including prep time, and is kid-friendly. Ingredients are mostly staples you probably have many of already. Once you make it, you’ll find yourself making it again and again!
NOTE: If you have never made caramel before, definitely watch the video first so you know what to expect. Also, caramel is extremely hot so please be careful around it!