Delicious Char Siu Chicken
Delicious Char Siu Chicken is a sweet, savory, and sticky easy dinner packed with bold barbecue flavor. This quick chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, simple dinner ideas, meal prep, and food ideas when you want something comforting, glossy, and full of takeout-style flavor at home.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring optional
- 2 green onions sliced
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, rice vinegar, Chinese five-spice powder, and optional red food coloring until smooth.
- Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl or zip-top bag and pour the marinade over them. Coat well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking tray or baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it in a single layer on the prepared tray. Reserve a few spoonfuls of marinade for basting if desired.
- Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, basting once or twice during cooking, until the chicken is cooked through and the glaze looks glossy.
- Broil for 2 to 3 minutes at the end if needed to caramelize the edges, watching closely so the sugars do not burn.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then slice and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for the juiciest texture and best caramelized finish. Marinating overnight gives the deepest char siu flavor and richer color. Watch carefully under the broiler because the honey and sugar can brown quickly.