why make this recipe
Char Siu Chicken gives you sweet, savory, and slightly smoky flavors in one simple dish. It uses common pantry sauces and cooks fast. If you enjoy easy chicken meals, you may also like the creamy chicken tortilla soup recipe for another quick dinner idea.
introduction
This Char Siu Chicken is a good choice when you want bold taste with little fuss. The marinade coats the chicken and caramelizes in the oven. It works for dinner, meal prep, or a party plate. For more quick chicken recipes you can try an easy creamy chicken tortilla soup to pair on a different night.
how to make Char Siu Chicken
Mix the sauce, marinate the chicken, bake, and glaze. The steps are simple and use one pan for cooking. If you want another saucy chicken dish to compare methods, read the creamy chicken tortilla soup page for ideas on texture and flavor balance.
Ingredients :
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
Directions :
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, Chinese five-spice powder, and sesame oil.
- Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag.
- Pour half of the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to overnight).
- Keep the remaining marinade in the fridge for later.
- Take the marinated chicken out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Place the chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- While the chicken cooks, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan.
- Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to thicken.
- Brush the cooked chicken with the thickened marinade.
- Broil the chicken for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- When the chicken is charred and caramelized, take it out of the oven.
- Let the char siu chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
how to serve Char Siu Chicken
Slice the chicken and serve it over steamed rice, noodles, or in a sandwich. Add sliced cucumbers and scallions for crunch. For a full meal idea, pair with a light soup such as a creamy chicken tortilla soup option to balance the sweet glaze.
how to store Char Siu Chicken
Cool the chicken to room temperature, then place it in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or in a skillet to keep the glaze sticky. You can freeze cooked slices for up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge before reheating.
tips to make Char Siu Chicken
- Marinate longer for more flavor — overnight is best. For another easy marinated dish idea, check the creamy chicken tortilla soup for timing tips.
- Use chicken thighs for juiciness. If you use breasts, watch the cook time to avoid drying.
- Watch the broiler closely. The sugars can burn fast, so broil just until char shows.
- Save some marinade before it touches raw chicken to make the glaze safely.
variation (if any)
- Make it spicy: add 1 teaspoon chili paste or sriracha to the marinade.
- Make it sticky: brush extra honey before broiling.
- Use pork instead of chicken for a more traditional char siu taste.
FAQs (minimum three FAQ)
Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
A: Yes. Chicken breasts will cook faster and can dry out. Check often and remove when the center reads 165°F (74°C).
Q: Is it safe to use the leftover marinade?
A: Only use the leftover marinade that was kept separate from raw chicken and then boiled for at least 5-10 minutes to kill bacteria. This recipe tells you to reserve half and boil it.
Q: Can I grill this instead of baking?
A: Yes. Grill on medium heat and baste with the thickened sauce. Watch for flare-ups because of the sugar in the glaze.
Q: How long can I marinate the chicken?
A: Marinate for at least 2 hours. You can marinate up to 24 hours in the fridge for better flavor.
Q: What sides go well with Char Siu Chicken?
A: Steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or simple noodles work well. A light soup can round out the meal.
Char Siu Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, Chinese five-spice powder, and sesame oil.
- Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable plastic bag.
- Pour half of the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to overnight).
- Keep the remaining marinade in the fridge for later.
- Take the marinated chicken out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Place the chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- While the chicken cooks, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan.
- Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to thicken.
- Brush the cooked chicken with the thickened marinade.
- Broil the chicken for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- When the chicken is charred and caramelized, take it out of the oven.
- Let the char siu chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.