How to Make Char Siu Chicken

1. Prepare the Marinade

In a mixing bowl, combine the honey, light soy sauce, hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, five-spice powder, Shaoxing wine, garlic, and sesame oil. Whisk until fully combined. If you want that classic red hue, add a few drops of red food coloring.

Pro Tip: Letting the sauce sit for 10 minutes helps the spices infuse deeper flavor.

2. Marinate the Chicken

Place your chicken thighs in a zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken and make sure each piece is fully coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight for maximum flavor.

3. Preheat Your Oven

Set your oven to 200°C (392°F). If using a grill, preheat to medium-high and oil the grates.

4. Bake the Chicken

Remove the chicken from the marinade (reserve the leftover marinade for basting). Arrange the thighs skin-side up on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 25–30 minutes, basting with reserved marinade every 10 minutes.

5. Caramelize the Skin

Turn the oven to broil/grill for the last 5 minutes to crisp and caramelize the skin. Watch closely — the sugar content in the sauce can burn quickly.

6. Rest and Slice

Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing. This keeps the juices sealed in and the texture juicy.

 How to Serve Char Siu Chicken

You can serve this dish in a variety of ways:

• Over steamed jasmine or fried rice

• With stir-fried noodles

• Sliced into a bao bun with pickled veggies

• As a topping on ramen bowls

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• Paired with sautéed bok choy or Chinese broccoli

 Tips & Variations

• Cut of Meat: While chicken thighs are ideal for their richness, chicken breasts or drumsticks can work too.

• Sugar Substitute: Replace honey with maple syrup or brown sugar if needed.

• Air Fryer Method: You can cook Char Siu Chicken in an air fryer at 190°C for 20–25 minutes.

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• Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven to retain crispness.

• Freezer-Friendly: Marinate and freeze raw chicken for meal prep. Thaw and bake when ready.

 Storage Instructions

• Refrigerator: Store cooked Char Siu Chicken in an airtight container for 3–4 days.

• Freezer: Freeze marinated raw chicken for up to 3 months.

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• Reheating: Warm in the oven at 160°C (320°F) for 10 minutes or microwave briefly.

Time & Yield

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Marinating Time: 4–12 hours

• Cook Time: 30–35 minutes

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• Total Time: ~5 hours (including marinating)

• Yield: Serves 2–3 people

 Tools Used

• Mixing bowls

• Whisk

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• Zip-top bag or marinating container

• Baking sheet + foil or parchment

• Basting brush

• Oven or grill

 Final Thoughts

Char Siu Chicken is more than just a meal — it’s an explosion of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors that brings Cantonese BBQ into your kitchen. With just a handful of pantry ingredients and a little patience for marination, this recipe delivers mouthwatering results. Whether you’re cooking for family or meal-prepping for the week, this recipe is a keeper.