Craving takeout-style Chinese flavors at home? Char Siu Chicken is a mouthwatering Flavorful Dinner, featuring tender chicken coated in a sweet, savory, and slightly smoky marinade with a glossy, caramelized finish. This easy dish brings bold, restaurant-quality taste to your table, perfect for weeknights or special occasions, served with rice, noodles, or veggies!
Why You’ll Love Char Siu Chicken
The Char Siu Chicken shines as a Flavorful Dinner:
- Bold Taste: Sweet, salty, and umami in every bite.
- Easy Prep: Marinade does the work for you.
- Versatile Cooking: Bake, grill, or air fry with ease.
- Meal Prep Star: Tastes even better the next day.
I adore this Flavorful Dinner for its vibrant glaze and crowd-pleasing appeal!
Ingredients for Char Siu Chicken
Here’s what you’ll need for Char Siu Chicken (serves 4):
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
- 2 tbsp honey (or brown sugar)
- 1 tsp Chinese five spice powder
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ½ tsp red food coloring (optional, for traditional hue)
- Green onions, chopped, or sesame seeds (for garnish)
Ingredient Tips:
- Chicken Thighs: Juicier than breasts; trim excess fat.
- Hoisin Sauce: Adds sweet-savory depth; check for gluten-free if needed.
- Five Spice: A little goes a long way; store in a cool, dark place.
- Honey: Warm slightly for easy mixing; brown sugar adds molasses notes.
- Food Coloring: Skip for natural color without flavor change.
Directions for Char Siu Chicken
Let’s create this irresistible Char Siu Chicken!
Prepare Marinade
- In a medium bowl, I whisk together ¼ cup hoisin sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp five spice powder, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp grated ginger, 1 tsp sesame oil, and ½ tsp red food coloring (if using) until smooth.
Marinate Chicken
- I place 1 ½ lbs chicken thighs in a resealable bag or shallow dish, pour the marinade over, and toss to coat.
- I refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, turning occasionally for even flavor.
Cook Chicken
- I preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with foil.
- I remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving excess, and place on the sheet.
- I roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway and basting with reserved marinade, until caramelized and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Alternatively, I grill over medium-high heat for 10–12 minutes per side, basting as needed.
Serve
- I let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
- I garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds and serve with rice or stir-fried veggies.
Nutrition
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Marinate Time: 2 hours (or overnight)
- Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
- Total Time: ~2.5 hours
- Servings: 4
- Calories: ~350 kcal per serving
- Macros per Serving: 20g carbs, 30g protein, 15g fat, 1g fiber
Variations for Char Siu Chicken
Try these twists on Char Siu Chicken:
- Pork Swap: Use pork tenderloin for a classic Flavorful Dinner.
- Spicy Kick: Add 1 tsp chili garlic sauce for heat in this Flavorful Dinner.
- Tofu Option: Marinate firm tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Shaoxing Wine: Add 1 tbsp for deeper umami flavor.
- Air Fryer: Cook at 380°F for 15–18 minutes, flipping once.
Serving Ideas:
- Pair with Layla Cooks’ Spinach and Feta Puff Pastry Twists for a fusion feast.
- Serve with jasmine rice and steamed bok choy to complement the Flavorful Dinner.
- Add to a noodle stir-fry for a hearty meal.
Storage
I store Char Siu Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, I warm slices in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water for 5–7 minutes or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through. For freezing, I wrap cooked chicken tightly in plastic wrap and foil, storing for up to 2 months. I thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
FAQs About Char Siu Chicken
Here are some common questions about this recipe:
What does Char Siu mean?
“Char Siu” is Cantonese for “fork roasted,” referring to the traditional way the meat is cooked—roasted on skewers.
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Yes, but thighs are more flavorful and stay juicier. If using breasts, don’t overcook them.
Is the red color necessary?
No, it’s optional and purely traditional. You can skip the food coloring without affecting the flavor.
Can I grill this instead of baking?
Absolutely. Grilling adds a delicious smoky note that pairs well with the sweet-savory marinade.
Is Char Siu Chicken spicy?
No, it’s sweet and savory. You can add spice if desired by including chili garlic sauce or hot pepper flakes.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, the chicken can be marinated up to 24 hours in advance and cooked when ready.
What sides go well with Char Siu Chicken?
Steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, bok choy, or even noodles make great sides.
Can I use store-bought Char Siu sauce?
Yes, you can use pre-made sauce, but homemade marinade offers fresher flavor and customization.
Is this dish gluten-free?
It can be, if you use gluten-free soy sauce and check your other ingredients.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
At least 2 hours, but overnight gives the best flavor and texture.
More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
- Chicken Rollatini
- Baked Cream Cheese Chicken
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders
- Bang Bang Chicken Bowls
Conclusion
Char Siu Chicken brings the bold, caramelized flavors of Chinese barbecue right to your kitchen with minimal effort. Whether you bake it or grill it, this juicy, sticky-sweet chicken is guaranteed to impress. Try it once, and it might just become your new favorite way to enjoy chicken—easy, delicious, and loaded with irresistible flavor.
Char Siu Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Chinese Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp red food coloring optional, for traditional color
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, honey, brown sugar, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, five-spice powder, garlic, and red food coloring if using.
- Add chicken thighs to a resealable bag or container and pour in the marinade. Mix to coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
- Arrange chicken on the rack and bake for 25-30 minutes, basting with leftover marinade halfway through.
- Optional: For extra caramelization, broil on high for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking.
- Remove from oven, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve.
Notes
- Chicken breasts can be used, but thighs stay juicier and are more flavorful.
- Grill instead of baking for a smoky char.
- Pairs well with steamed rice or noodles and stir-fried vegetables.
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