The Ultimate Char Siu Chicken Recipe for Sweet-Savory Bliss

Succulent and aromatic char siu chicken beckons with its irresistible blend of sweet and savory flavors.

This classic Chinese char siu chicken recipe promises a culinary adventure that tantalizes taste buds.

Tender meat marinated in a rich, glossy sauce creates a mouthwatering dish that’s both simple and sophisticated.

Vibrant red edges and caramelized exterior hint at the deliciousness within.

The marinade infuses each bite with depth and complexity, transforming ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal.

Restaurants and home cooks alike treasure this technique for its incredible flavor profile.

You’ll want to gather your ingredients and dive into this delectable journey of taste and tradition.

Char Siu Chicken What Makes This Dish Stand Out

• Packed with rich, bold flavors from Chinese Five Spice powder and multiple sauces, this char siu chicken delivers a complex taste profile that transforms a simple protein into a gourmet experience.
• The straightforward oven-baking method makes this recipe beginner-friendly, allowing home cooks to achieve restaurant-quality results without advanced culinary skills or specialized equipment.
• Perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or entertaining, this chicken can be served with rice, noodles, or in salads, making it an adaptable dish that suits multiple dining scenarios.
• Minimal ingredients and simple steps mean you can create a delicious meal with minimal effort, letting the marinade do most of the flavor work while requiring very little hands-on cooking time.

Char Siu Chicken Ingredients and Flavors

• Chicken Thighs: Tender and flavorful cut of meat that absorbs the rich marinade perfectly.

• Honey: Provides a sweet and glossy finish to the chicken.
• Light Soy Sauce, Dark Soy Sauce: Add depth of flavor and authentic Chinese seasoning.
• Oyster Sauce: Contributes a rich umami taste to the marinade.
• Brown Sugar: Helps create a caramelized exterior and balances the savory flavors.

• Garlic, Ginger: Bring bold and aromatic flavors to the marinade.
• Chinese Five Spice Powder: Offers a complex and traditional Chinese seasoning blend.
• White Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and warmth to the dish.
• Red Food Coloring: Optional ingredient for achieving the classic char siu red color.

Kitchen Gear for Chinese Barbecue Chicken

• Mixing Bowl: Large enough to combine all marinade ingredients easily.
• Whisk or Spoon: Perfect for blending marinade ingredients smoothly.
• Baking Tray: Essential for roasting chicken evenly in the oven.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for slicing chicken after cooking.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Ziplock Bag (Optional): Alternative to mixing bowl for marinating chicken.
• Tongs: Helpful for handling and transferring marinated chicken.

Cooking Steps for Char Siu Chicken at Home

Step 1: Whip Up Flavor-Packed Marinade

Grab a mixing bowl or large ziplock bag.

• Honey
• Light soy sauce
• Oyster sauce
• Dark soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Minced garlic
• Grated ginger
• Chinese Five Spice powder
• White pepper
• Red food coloring (optional)

Stir everything together until the marinade looks glossy and well-blended.

Step 2: Bath Chicken In Deliciousness

Toss chicken thighs into the marinade, massaging each piece to ensure total flavor coverage.

Seal the container and slide into the refrigerator.

Let the chicken soak up all those incredible flavors for at least 2 hours, but overnight is even better for maximum taste explosion.

Step 3: Warm Up The Oven

Pull chicken out of the refrigerator and let it chill at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.

Meanwhile, fire up your oven to 200°C (390°F).

This helps the chicken cook more evenly.

Step 4: Arrange Chicken For Roasting

Transfer marinated chicken onto a baking tray.

Spread pieces out so they’re not touching for perfect caramelization.

Step 5: Transform Chicken Into Golden Masterpiece

Slide the tray into the preheated oven.

Roast for approximately 20 minutes until chicken reaches perfect golden-brown color and is completely cooked through.

Step 6: Rest And Slice Magic

Allow chicken to rest for 10 minutes.

This helps juices redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.

Slice and serve your stunning char siu chicken.

Char Siu Chicken Tips for Sweet and Savory Bites

• Marinate the chicken overnight to allow the rich, complex sauces and spices to fully penetrate and tenderize the meat.
• Cover the chicken with foil during the first 15 minutes of baking to lock in moisture and maintain juiciness.
• Brush additional marinade halfway through cooking to create a glossy, caramelized exterior that enhances the char siu's signature look.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 74°C (165°F) for safe consumption without overcooking.
• Slice chicken against the grain for more tender, easier-to-eat pieces that showcase the beautiful marinade color and texture.

Char Siu Chicken Variations to Try Soon

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace light and dark soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, ensuring all other ingredients remain the same for a celiac-friendly option.
• Low-Sodium Adaptation: Substitute regular soy sauce with low-sodium soy sauce and reduce oyster sauce quantity to decrease overall salt content.
• Spicy Char Siu Chicken: Add sriracha or chili flakes to the marinade for a heat-packed flavor profile that elevates the traditional recipe.
• Oven-Free Alternative: Grill chicken on a barbecue or cook in a skillet with a lid for those without an oven, maintaining similar cooking temperatures and times.

Serving Up Char Siu Chicken with Style

• Flavor-Packed Rice Bowl: Slice the char siu chicken and serve over steamed jasmine rice, drizzling extra marinade as a sauce. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds for added texture and freshness.
• Asian-Inspired Wraps: Shred the chicken and wrap in soft flour tortillas or lettuce leaves. Add quick-pickled cucumbers, cilantro, and a spicy sriracha mayo for a delicious handheld meal.
• Colorful Salad Topper: Thinly slice the chicken and place over a crisp mixed green salad. Dress with a light sesame-ginger vinaigrette and sprinkle with toasted almonds for crunch and protein.

Char Siu Chicken Storage Meals

• Transfer leftover char siu chicken to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor.
• Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date to track freshness.
• Preheat oven to 165°C (325°F). Place chicken in a baking dish, add a splash of water to prevent drying, and cover with foil. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.

FAQs

• What is Char Siu Chicken?

A classic Cantonese-style barbecue chicken dish featuring a sweet and savory marinade with traditional Chinese spices, resulting in a glossy, caramelized exterior and tender meat.

• Why use Chinese Five Spice powder in this recipe?

Chinese Five Spice powder provides a complex, warming flavor profile that includes cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns, which perfectly complements the chicken and adds depth to the marinade.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but chicken thighs are recommended because they are more flavorful, juicy, and less likely to dry out during cooking.

Char Siu Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent char siu chicken blends traditional Chinese flavors with modern cooking techniques. Juicy meat marinates in sweet and savory sauce, delivering a mouthwatering experience you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 300 grams (10.6 ounces) chicken thigh

Seasonings and Sauces:

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce (or Kecap Manis)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Aromatics and Spices:

• 2 cloves garlic, pureed or grated
• 1 inch ginger, pureed or grated
• 1 teaspoon Chinese Five Spice powder
• 1 pinch white pepper
• 1 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Craft a flavor-packed marinade by blending honey, light and dark soy sauces, oyster sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, Chinese Five Spice powder, white pepper, and optional red food coloring in a large bowl or ziplock bag.
2. Thoroughly coat chicken thighs in the marinade, ensuring complete coverage, then refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or ideally overnight to allow deep flavor penetration.
3. Remove chicken from refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to equalize temperature.
4. Preheat oven to 200C (390F), positioning rack in the middle for even heat distribution.
5. Transfer marinated chicken to a lined baking tray, arranging pieces without overcrowding to promote even cooking and crispy edges.
6. Roast chicken for approximately 20-25 minutes, rotating tray halfway through to ensure uniform browning and internal temperature reaching 165F.
7. Remove from oven and allow chicken to rest for 10 minutes, which helps retain juices and ensures tender meat.
8. Slice chicken against the grain and serve hot, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs or sesame seeds for added visual appeal.

Notes

• Marinate Longer for Deeper Flavor: Allow chicken to sit in the marinade for up to 24 hours to enhance the rich, savory taste and ensure maximum flavor penetration.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap regular soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the recipe gluten-free without compromising the authentic Asian taste.
• Reduce Sugar Content: Replace brown sugar with a lower-glycemic alternative like monk fruit sweetener or reduce the quantity for a healthier version that still maintains the signature char siu sweetness.
• Extra Caramelization Trick: Brush additional marinade during the last 5 minutes of baking to create a glossy, slightly charred exterior that mimics traditional Chinese barbecue techniques.

• Prep Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 387
• Sugar: 17 g
• Sodium: 1020 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 26 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg