Authentic Char Siu Chicken (Printable Version)

Tender chicken thighs glazed with hoisin-honey marinade, roasted to caramelized perfection.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 2.2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs

→ Marinade

02 - 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
03 - 3 tbsp honey
04 - 2 tbsp light soy sauce
05 - 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
06 - 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
07 - 2 tbsp brown sugar
08 - 1 tsp Chinese five spice powder
09 - 2 garlic cloves minced
10 - 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
11 - 0.5 tsp red food coloring optional
12 - 1 tbsp sesame oil

→ Glaze

13 - 2 tbsp reserved marinade
14 - 1 tbsp honey

# How to Make:

01 - Whisk together hoisin sauce, honey, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, brown sugar, Chinese five spice powder, minced garlic, grated ginger, food coloring if using, and sesame oil until thoroughly combined. Measure out and reserve 2 tablespoons of this mixture separately for the glaze.
02 - Add chicken thighs to the bowl with the remaining marinade, turning pieces to coat completely. Cover tightly and refrigerate for minimum 2 hours, preferably overnight, to develop deep flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and position a wire rack on top to allow air circulation and fat drainage during roasting.
04 - Arrange marinated chicken thighs in a single layer on the wire rack, leaving space between pieces. Roast at 425°F for 15 minutes to begin rendering fat and developing initial color.
05 - While chicken roasts, combine the reserved 2 tablespoons marinade with 1 tablespoon honey in a small bowl, stirring until smooth and pourable.
06 - Remove chicken from oven after 15 minutes. Brush thighs generously with the honey-marinade glaze on all sides. Return to oven and roast an additional 12 to 15 minutes, brushing once more halfway through cooking, until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and edges are deeply caramelized.
07 - Transfer chicken to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Slice crosswise into strips and serve over steamed white rice or noodles. Garnish with chopped scallions or toasted sesame seeds if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The chicken stays incredibly juicy while developing those coveted caramelized edges
  • The marinade doubles as a glaze, meaning less prep and more flavor in every bite
02 -
  • The glaze can go from perfect to burned in under two minutes, so watch closely during the final roasting stage
  • Marinating overnight transforms this from good to unforgettable, giving the flavors time to penetrate deeply
03 -
  • Pat the chicken dry before marinating to help the sauce adhere better
  • A kitchen torch can add extra charred spots if your oven doesnt get hot enough

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