Authentic Char Siu Chicken (Printable Version)
Tender roasted chicken glazed in authentic Chinese char siu marinade with honey, hoisin, and aromatic spices for caramelized perfection.
# Ingredient List:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
→ Char Siu Marinade
02 - 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
03 - 3 tbsp honey
04 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
05 - 2 tbsp oyster sauce
06 - 1 tbsp Chinese Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
07 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
08 - 1 tbsp sesame oil
09 - 1 tsp five-spice powder
10 - 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
11 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
12 - 1/4 tsp red food coloring (optional)
→ Garnish
13 - 2 spring onions, finely sliced
14 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds
# How to Make:
01 - Whisk together hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, brown sugar, sesame oil, five-spice powder, ginger, garlic, and food coloring in a large bowl until smooth.
02 - Add chicken thighs to the bowl, toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for maximum flavor penetration.
03 - Set oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, reserving the liquid. Place thighs on the wire rack with space between pieces for even cooking.
05 - Roast for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, baste generously with reserved marinade, flip pieces, and baste again.
06 - Return to oven and roast 10-15 minutes longer, basting once more, until edges are caramelized and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
07 - Let chicken rest 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with spring onions and sesame seeds. Serve hot with steamed rice, noodles, or in bao buns.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- That perfect sticky glaze that coats your fingers and makes everything taste like restaurant quality Chinese takeout
- The marinade does almost all the work, leaving you with an impressive dinner that feels fancy but comes together easily
02 -
- That wire rack is essential without it your chicken will steam in its own juices instead of developing that sticky caramelized exterior
- Do not skip the resting period or all those delicious juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in the meat
03 -
- Line your baking tray with foil and place the rack on top for the easiest cleanup imaginable
- Bring the chicken to room temperature for 20 minutes before roasting for more even cooking