Description

Char Siu Chicken is a flavorful and tender dish featuring chicken marinated in a sweet, savory, and aromatic sauce. Char Siu, which means “fork roasted” in Cantonese, is typically made with pork, but this version uses chicken for a healthier alternative. The chicken absorbs the delicious marinade and is then baked or grilled to perfection, creating a juicy and slightly caramelized outer layer. Serve this delicious chicken with steamed rice or in a stir-fry for an easy, restaurant-quality meal at home.

Ingredients

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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium)
2 tablespoons Chinese rice wine (or dry sherry)
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon red food coloring (optional, for the traditional red appearance)
1/2 teaspoon white pepper (optional)
2 teaspoons cornstarch (for thickening, optional)

Cooking spray or oil (for grilling or baking)

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Instructions

Prepare the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine, honey, brown sugar, oyster sauce, five-spice powder, garlic powder, grated ginger, sesame oil, and red food coloring (if using). Stir until the sugar is dissolved, and everything is well combined.
Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken breasts (or thighs) into a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to infuse the chicken.
Preheat the oven or grill:
- For baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- For grilling: Preheat the grill to medium heat (around 350°F).
Cook the chicken:
- For baking: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Remove the chicken from the marinade (discard the marinade) and place the chicken on the baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and be slightly caramelized on the outside.
- For grilling: Grill the chicken for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and has a slightly charred exterior. You can baste the chicken with extra marinade while grilling for more flavor.
Finish with glaze (optional): If you want a thicker glaze, you can reduce the remaining marinade in a saucepan over medium heat by adding cornstarch mixed with water. Stir for 2-3 minutes until it thickens, then drizzle over the cooked chicken.

Serve: Slice the Char Siu Chicken and serve with steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or in a bao bun.

Notes

Char Siu Chicken is delicious when served with a side of steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables like bok choy or bell peppers.
For a smoky flavor, you can grill the chicken instead of baking it.

The red food coloring is optional and typically used for traditional Char Siu’s iconic red color, but it won’t affect the taste.

Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus marinating time)
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes (baking) or 12-16 minutes (grilling)
Category: Main Dish, Chinese Cuisine
Method: Grilling or Baking
Cuisine: Chinese