Description
This Juicy and Tender Char Siu Chicken recipe delivers a flavorful Chinese BBQ-inspired dish with a sticky, savory glaze. Made with marinated chicken thighs and baked to perfection, it offers a delicious balance of sweet, salty, and aromatic spices characteristic of traditional Char Siu, perfect for a satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chinese Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- Red food coloring (optional, for traditional color)
For Cooking and Garnish
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (for oiling the rack)
- Chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
- Sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, Chinese five-spice powder, minced garlic, sesame oil, and a drop or two of red food coloring if using. Mix until well combined.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the marinade and toss them thoroughly to coat. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to develop deep flavor.
- Preheat oven and prepare rack: When ready to cook, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup and place a wire rack on top. Lightly oil the rack with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
- Bake the chicken: Arrange the marinated chicken thighs evenly on the wire rack. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, allowing the chicken to cook through while catching the drippings below.
- Baste and broil: Remove the chicken from the oven and baste each piece with the remaining marinade to enhance flavor and moisture. Switch your oven to broil and place the chicken under the broiler for 3 to 5 minutes until the edges become slightly charred and develop a glossy, caramelized appearance.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain juices. Slice the chicken and garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired. Serve hot with jasmine rice or stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For extra tenderness and juiciness, use chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- This dish pairs perfectly with jasmine rice or stir-fried vegetables.
- You can grill the chicken instead of baking it for a smokier flavor.
- Red food coloring is optional but adds traditional Char Siu color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
