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
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)
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Remove chicken from refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to equalize temperature.
- Preheat oven to 200C (390F), positioning rack in the middle for even heat distribution.
- Transfer marinated chicken to a lined baking tray, arranging pieces without overcrowding to promote even cooking and crispy edges.
- Roast chicken for approximately 20-25 minutes, rotating tray halfway through to ensure uniform browning and internal temperature reaching 165F.
- Remove from oven and allow chicken to rest for 10 minutes, which helps retain juices and ensures tender meat.
- 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