Char Siu Chicken is a Chinese-inspired dish featuring juicy, caramelized chicken coated in a rich, sticky BBQ glaze made from hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, and a few other key ingredients. The sweet and savory flavors paired with a slightly smoky char make this dish a family favorite.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the Chicken:

  • 2 pounds chicken thighs or breasts (boneless, skinless)

  • 3 tbsp hoisin sauce

  • 2 tbsp soy sauce

  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce

  • 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)

  • 1 tbsp honey

  • 1 tbsp brown sugar

  • 1 tbsp ketchup

  • 1 tsp five-spice powder

  • 1 tsp sesame oil

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tsp grated ginger

  • ½ tsp red food coloring (optional)

• For Basting & Glaze:

  • 2 tbsp honey or maltose

  • 1 tbsp warm water

Directions

1. Prepare the Marinade:
   In a bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, honey, brown sugar, ketchup, five-spice powder, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red food coloring (optional).

2. Marinate the Chicken:
   Place the chicken in a ziplock bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken and massage it in. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for the best flavor.

3. Cooking Methods:

   • Oven Roasting: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Place the marinated chicken on the rack and roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway. In the last 5 minutes, baste with honey-water glaze. Broil for 2-3 minutes for caramelized edges.

   • Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium heat (375°F/190°C). Grill chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, basting with honey glaze. For extra char, increase the heat and grill for 1-2 more minutes.

4. Serve:
   Once cooked, rest the chicken for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve with jasmine rice or stir-fried veggies.

Nutrients (per serving)

• Calories: Approximately 300

• Protein: 30g

• Carbohydrates: 18g

• Fat: 15g

• Sodium: 800mg

• Cholesterol: 90mg

Why Char Siu Chicken Works So Well

Char Siu Chicken is a perfect balance of flavors and textures. The marinade, which includes hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and brown sugar, creates a savory-sweet base that penetrates the chicken, infusing it with rich umami and sweetness. The addition of garlic, ginger, and five-spice powder enhances the depth of the flavor profile, adding a warm and aromatic kick.

The chicken itself is juicy and tender, with a slightly crispy caramelized exterior that results from the glaze, creating a satisfying contrast. Whether you choose to roast it in the oven or grill it, both cooking methods allow the chicken to develop a smoky, charred flavor while maintaining its juiciness. This dish is a great option for a weeknight dinner, weekend gathering, or even meal prep.

Key Ingredients for Char Siu Chicken

• Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breasts are used for this dish. Chicken thighs are particularly ideal due to their juiciness, but breasts work well too if you prefer leaner meat. Both cuts absorb the marinade well, resulting in flavorful, tender chicken.

• Hoisin Sauce: A key component of the marinade, hoisin sauce provides a sweet and savory depth of flavor. It’s a staple in Chinese cooking and is often used in marinades, stir-fries, and sauces.

• Soy Sauce and Oyster Sauce: These sauces contribute to the umami-rich base of the marinade. Soy sauce adds saltiness, while oyster sauce adds a savory, slightly sweet flavor that complements the chicken perfectly.

• Shaoxing Wine (or Dry Sherry): This rice wine adds complexity and a slight sweetness to the marinade. It also gives the chicken a subtle depth of flavor that’s essential in traditional Char Siu.

• Honey and Brown Sugar: These sweeteners create the signature sticky, caramelized glaze that’s synonymous with Char Siu. They also balance the savory ingredients, giving the dish its characteristic sweetness.

• Five-Spice Powder: This blend of spices, which includes star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds, gives the dish its signature warm, aromatic flavor.

• Sesame Oil: This oil adds a slight nutty aroma and enhances the depth of flavor in the marinade.

• Garlic and Ginger: These two ingredients are essential for adding an aromatic, savory base to the marinade, which perfectly complements the sweetness of the other ingredients.

• Red Food Coloring (Optional): While not essential, red food coloring is often added in traditional Char Siu recipes to give the chicken its signature red hue. It’s purely for aesthetic purposes and can be omitted if you prefer a more natural look.

How to Make Char Siu Chicken

Char Siu Chicken is simple to prepare, though it does require some marination time to allow the flavors to fully develop. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making this flavorful dish:

1. Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry), honey, brown sugar, ketchup, five-spice powder, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and red food coloring (if using). The marinade should be smooth and well-mixed. Set it aside.

2. Marinate the Chicken: Cut the chicken into manageable pieces (you can use thighs or breasts). Place the chicken in a ziplock bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over it. Massage the marinade into the chicken to ensure even coverage. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight. The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful it will become.

3. Cooking Methods:

   • Oven Roasting: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Place the marinated chicken on the rack, ensuring there’s enough space for air to circulate around each piece. Roast for 25-30 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. In the last 5 minutes of roasting, baste the chicken with a glaze made of honey and warm water to create a glossy, sticky finish. You can also broil the chicken for 2-3 minutes to get crispy, caramelized edges.

   • Grilling: Preheat your grill to medium heat (around 375°F/190°C). Grill the marinated chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, basting with the honey glaze during grilling. For extra char and smoky flavor, increase the heat slightly and grill for an additional 1-2 minutes on each side. The chicken should be caramelized and cooked through.

4. Serve: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven or grill and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds for added flavor and crunch. Serve the Char Siu Chicken with steamed jasmine rice or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.

Serving Suggestions

Char Siu Chicken is incredibly versatile and can be served in various ways. Here are a few ideas to complement the dish:

• With Rice: Serve the chicken with a bowl of steamed jasmine rice. The rice will soak up the sweet and savory glaze, making each bite even more flavorful.

• With Stir-Fried Vegetables: Pair the chicken with stir-fried vegetables, such as bok choy, broccoli, or bell peppers. The crisp vegetables provide a fresh contrast to the rich chicken.

• In a Wrap: For a more casual meal, serve the Char Siu Chicken in a wrap with some lettuce, cucumber, and hoisin sauce for a deliciously light and refreshing option.

• On Noodles: Serve the chicken over a bed of noodles, like egg noodles or rice noodles, with a drizzle of the glaze for an extra punch of flavor.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Char Siu Chicken (roughly 1/4 of the recipe) contains approximately 300 calories. The chicken is a good source of protein (30g per serving) and provides 18g of carbohydrates and 15g of fat, with 5g of saturated fat. The sodium content is 800mg, which comes from the soy sauce and oyster sauce, so you can adjust the sodium levels by using low-sodium versions of these sauces if needed. The cholesterol content is 90mg, which is typical for a poultry-based dish.

Conclusion: A Flavorful and Juicy Dish

Char Siu Chicken is a delightful dish that brings the iconic flavors of Chinese BBQ into a juicy, tender chicken recipe. The combination of sweet, savory, and slightly smoky flavors makes this dish a favorite for many. Whether you roast it in the oven or grill it for a more authentic touch, Char Siu Chicken is guaranteed to impress. It’s a versatile dish that can be served with rice, noodles, or vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or enjoying a weeknight dinner, Char Siu Chicken is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.