Description
Char Siu Chicken is a flavorful Chinese BBQ dish featuring tender boneless chicken thighs marinated in a rich blend of hoisin sauce, soy, honey, and aromatic five-spice powder. Roasted to perfection with a slightly charred finish, this recipe is easy to prepare and perfect served alongside steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chinese Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring (optional, for traditional appearance)
Garnish (optional)
- Sliced green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, brown sugar, sesame oil, five-spice powder, minced garlic, and red food coloring if using. Mix well to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat each piece. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and place a wire rack on top to elevate the chicken for even cooking.
- Arrange and Roast: Place the marinated chicken thighs on the wire rack in a single layer. Reserve any leftover marinade for basting. Roast the chicken in the oven for 25 minutes, occasionally basting once or twice with the reserved marinade to keep the chicken moist and flavorful.
- Increase Heat and Finish Roasting: After 25 minutes, increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and continue roasting the chicken for another 10 to 15 minutes. This will help create a slightly charred edge and ensure the chicken is cooked through to juicy perfection.
- Rest and Garnish: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to retain its juices. Then slice the chicken and garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired before serving.
Notes
- Char siu is traditionally red in color, but the red food coloring is optional.
- You can grill the chicken for a smokier flavor instead of roasting.
- Serve this dish with steamed rice or noodles and stir-fried vegetables for a complete meal.
