Char Siu Chicken Recipe
If you’re craving a dish that bursts with mouthwatering sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors, this Char Siu Chicken Recipe will become your new favorite go-to. This recipe transforms simple chicken breasts or thighs into tender, juicy bites infused with the unmistakable charm of Chinese barbecue spices and a luscious glaze. The perfect balance of hoisin, soy, honey, and five-spice turns everyday chicken into a vibrant centerpiece, whether you’re cooking for family dinner or impressing friends at your next gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering fresh and flavorful ingredients is the secret to making this Char Siu Chicken Recipe so delightful. Each element plays a crucial role in delivering that distinctive taste, juicy texture, and eye-catching color that will have everyone asking for seconds.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs: Choose thighs for more juiciness or breasts for leaner cuts.
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce: Adds a rich, slightly sweet depth that’s signature to Char Siu flavor.
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium): Brings savory umami without overpowering saltiness.
- 2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry: Infuses a subtle aromatic note and tenderizes the meat.
- 1 tablespoon honey: Sweetens and helps create a sticky, caramelized glaze.
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar: Deepens the sweetness with molasses undertones.
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce: Enhances savory complexity with its rich umami punch.
- 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder: The magical blend of star anise, cinnamon, cloves, fennel, and pepper for that classic fragrance.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: Adds a warm and mellow garlicky background flavor.
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger: Fresh warmth and slight zing to brighten the marinade.
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil: Nutty aroma that rounds out the marinade beautifully.
- 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring (optional): For that traditional glowing red hue that makes Char Siu visually irresistible.
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper (optional): Adds subtle heat and depth.
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (optional, for thickening): Create a luscious finishing glaze from the leftover marinade.
- Cooking spray or oil: To prevent sticking while grilling or baking.
How to Make Char Siu Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Marinade
The magic really starts here. Whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine, honey, brown sugar, oyster sauce, five-spice powder, garlic powder, grated ginger, sesame oil, and if you want that traditional color, add the red food coloring. Stir well until the sugar fully dissolves, creating a beautifully balanced marinade that’s rich, sweet, and layered with spice.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
Place your chicken breasts or thighs in a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, then pour the marinade over them. Seal or cover and chill for at least two hours, but ideally overnight. This slow soak allows the flavors to penetrate deeply, guaranteeing each bite is packed with that luscious Char Siu essence.
Step 3: Preheat Your Cooking Method
Decide whether you’re baking or grilling. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) for baking, or heat your grill to medium heat, around 350°F. Both methods develop that slightly caramelized exterior, but grilling adds a delightful char that’s hard to resist.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
For baking, line a tray with parchment or a silicone mat. Remove the chicken from the marinade (discarding the used marinade) and place the pieces onto the tray. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until their internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the outside is beautifully caramelized. For grilling, cook the chicken 6-8 minutes per side until perfectly done with a smoky char, basting occasionally with fresh marinade to boost flavor.
Step 5: Optional Glaze Finish
If you want an extra glossy, thick glaze, save some marinade before cooking. Simmer it gently over medium heat with a slurry of cornstarch mixed into water until it thickens. Drizzle this over the hot chicken for that restaurant-quality final touch that dazzles both the eyes and the palate.
Step 6: Slice and Serve
Once cooked and glazed, slice your Char Siu Chicken and prepare to wow your taste buds and your guests with every tender, flavor-packed slice.
How to Serve Char Siu Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like chopped scallions, toasted sesame seeds, or fresh cilantro brighten the plate and add a satisfying crunch or herbaceous note that complements the rich chicken beautifully.
Side Dishes
This Char Siu Chicken pairs perfectly with steamed jasmine rice, stir-fried bok choy, or crunchy Asian slaw. These sides balance the sweet and savory meat with freshness and texture, rounding out a colorful and satisfying meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the sliced chicken in steamed bao buns with pickled vegetables, or dice it to toss into fried rice or noodle bowls for a tasty twist. This recipe is versatile and brings exciting Asian flavors wherever it goes.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Char Siu Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen a bit after resting, making for even tastier next-day meals.
Freezing
If you want to save Char Siu Chicken for longer, freeze cooked pieces in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat or in the oven to preserve juiciness. Avoid microwaving when possible to keep the wonderful texture intact.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Char Siu Chicken Recipe?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs tend to stay juicier and offer a richer flavor, making them perfect for this recipe. Both work beautifully, so it’s a matter of personal preference.
Do I really need to use Chinese rice wine, and what can I substitute if I don’t have it?
Chinese rice wine adds subtle complexity and tenderizes the meat, but you can substitute dry sherry or even a mild, dry white wine in a pinch with great results.
Is the red food coloring necessary for the dish?
Not at all. It’s purely for traditional visual appeal. The chicken will still taste fantastic without it, so feel free to skip if you prefer natural coloring.
Can I grill the chicken on a barbecue instead of baking?
Yes! Grilling adds wonderful smoky char and works perfectly. Just be sure to baste often and monitor the heat to avoid burning the sugars in the marinade.
How can I make the glaze thicker?
Save some marinade before cooking and reduce it in a saucepan with a cornstarch slurry. Stir until thickened and then drizzle over your cooked chicken for a glossy, sticky finish.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have this incredible Char Siu Chicken Recipe in your repertoire, you’re all set to create a dish that’s bursting with flavor, visually stunning, and delightfully satisfying. It’s perfect for any occasion, whether a simple weeknight dinner or a special feast. Dive in and enjoy the wonderful flavors this recipe brings to your table—your taste buds will thank you!
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Char Siu Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Char Siu Chicken is a flavorful Chinese-style grilled or baked chicken recipe featuring a sweet and savory marinade made with hoisin sauce, soy sauce, Chinese rice wine, honey, and aromatic five-spice powder. The chicken is marinated for at least two hours to infuse rich flavors, then cooked either by baking or grilling until caramelized and juicy. This versatile dish is perfect served with steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or in bao buns.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Marinade
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium)
- 2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring (optional, for traditional red appearance)
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper (optional)
For Glaze (Optional)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (for thickening)
- water to mix with cornstarch
Cooking
- Cooking spray or oil (for grilling or baking)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, Chinese rice wine or dry sherry, honey, brown sugar, oyster sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, garlic powder, grated ginger, sesame oil, and red food coloring if using. Stir well until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is thoroughly combined.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts or thighs into a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, seal or cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight to allow deep flavor infusion.
- Preheat your cooking device: For baking, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). For grilling, preheat grill to medium heat, approximately 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the chicken: For baking, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Remove chicken from marinade (discard marinade) and place on baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and surface is slightly caramelized. For grilling, oil the grill grates or use cooking spray to prevent sticking. Grill chicken about 6-8 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) with a slightly charred exterior. Optionally baste chicken with reserved marinade during grilling for enhanced flavor.
- Make the glaze (optional): To thicken any leftover marinade, mix cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Heat remaining marinade in a saucepan over medium heat, stir in slurry, and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Drizzle this glaze over the cooked chicken before serving.
- Serve: Slice the Char Siu Chicken and enjoy it with steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or inside bao buns for an authentic taste experience.
Notes
- For the most authentic red color, use red food coloring but it is optional and does not affect flavor.
- Chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts for juicier meat.
- Marinating overnight intensifies the flavor significantly.
- You can baste the chicken while grilling for a more pronounced glaze.
- Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for food safety.
- The glaze thickening step is optional but adds a glossy rich finish to the dish.
- Reserve some marinade before placing chicken in it if you plan to baste or make glaze, to avoid contamination.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
