Char Siu Chicken Recipe
Char Siu Chicken is a flavorful Chinese-inspired dish made with tender chicken marinated in a sweet, savory, and slightly smoky sauce. This homemade version delivers restaurant-style taste using simple ingredients and is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 600 g boneless chicken thighs or chicken breast
- 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (or rice vinegar)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- ½ tsp five-spice powder
- ½ tsp red food coloring (optional, for authentic color)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, oyster sauce, Chinese cooking wine, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, five-spice powder, and food coloring if using.
- Add chicken to the marinade and mix well until fully coated.
- Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes (overnight for best flavor).
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F) or heat a grill pan over medium heat.
- Place marinated chicken on a lined baking tray or grill pan.
- Cook for 20–25 minutes, turning once and brushing with extra marinade, until cooked through and slightly caramelized.
- Remove from heat and let the chicken rest for 10 minutes.
- Slice and serve hot with rice or noodles.
Notes
- Chicken thighs give juicier results, but chicken breast works well for a leaner option.
- You can cook this recipe in an air fryer at 180°C (356°F) for 15–18 minutes.
- Adjust honey according to your preferred sweetness level.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Approximate)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 28 g
- Fat: 12 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 780 mg