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Impress Your Guests with Perfect Char Siu Chicken

Char Siu Chicken

A Char Siu marinade on chicken that you’ll want to bite into, that’s juicy and glistens with a mouthwatering finish all prepared to the marvellous perfection in your oven. This is an authentic Chinese barbecue dish, and a great to prepare no matter if you are skilled in cooking or not, and it surely would brings the taste of China to your kitchen. Indeed, this combination of soy sauce, honey and five spice powder is a treat on its own. This recipe is fit for a meal any day of the week, anytime you want and it ensures that you remember the taste of what you are consuming. So, why wait?

Char Siu Chicken

Ingredients for Char Siu Chicken

Restaurant quality char siu chicken with ease so let me walk you through Char Siu chicken:

  • 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs (or breasts): Chicken thighs are preferred for their juiciness, but breasts can be used for a leaner option.
  • 1/4 cup hoisin sauce: Adds a rich, savory depth to the marinade.
  • 1/4 cup honey: Brings sweetness and helps create that signature caramelized glaze.
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce: Provides the salty umami base essential for Char Siu Chicken.
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced: Infuses the dish with aromatic flavor.
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil: Adds a nutty undertone to the marinade.
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder: Delivers the distinctive blend of spices that defines Char Siu.
  • Optional: red food coloring for visual appeal: Gives the chicken its characteristic red hue.

Some variations however do allow you to customize the dish however you prefer, if making Char Siu is too time consuming you could replace chicken thighs and use tenderloins. The chicken will still taste rich and flavorful.

How to Make Char Siu Chicken

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken

The first step to making our Char Siu Chicken is marinating it so that all the flavors sink in profoundly, to start we’ll prepare the marinade first. In a large mixing bowl, take honey and soy sauce along with minced garlic, Chinese five spice powder, red food coloring, hoisin sauce and sesame oil. Mix the ingredients till you have a smooth paste formed.

Then place the Char Siu Chicken pieces into the marinade making sure to rub each piece evenly. Don’t forget the golden rule of at least 30 minutes of chicken marination, as it will help the chicken to soak up all the flavors and give it a richer taste. However, idealistically overnight marination would yield the best results.

2. Cooking Methods

Initiating the Fun part where we try out a few approaches to cooking Char Siu Chicken and their unique texture along with taste.

Oven Roasting:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Place the marinated chicken on a rack set in a roasting pan to allow air circulation and even cooking.
  • Baste the chicken with the remaining marinade.
  • Roast for 25-30 minutes, turning the chicken occasionally to ensure it cooks evenly and the glaze caramelizes beautifully.

Grilling:

  • Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
  • Cook the Char Siu Chicken for 6-10 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the pieces.
  • Baste regularly with the marinade to keep the chicken moist and flavorful, and to achieve a nice charred finish.

Air Fryer:

  • Set your air fryer to 200°C (392°F).
  • Cook the chicken for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time.

The air fryer method is quick and results in a crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy.

3. Glazing and Serving

During the last few minutes of cooking, apply some extra sauce or glaze to the Char Siu Chicken before cooking it in order to achieve better caramelization during the last few minutes. After the chicken is done cooking, allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Cooling the chicken allows the liquids to move around, thus ensuring that the chicken is delicious in every bite you take. The chicken can then be cut up and served with any of your preferred condiments.

Serving Suggestions

Serving Char Siu Chicken as part of a meal requires careful considerations of how the dish may affect the overall experience and is also well presented.

Best Pairings:

Steamed jasmine rice: The rice’s mild aroma pairs well with the chicken’s enticing flavors.

Stir-fried vegetables: Provide a fresh crunch the meal requires for balance.

Chinese cucumber salad: Provides a refreshing flavor with its zesty dressing.

Presentation Tips:

Consider using sesame seeds as garnishing as it provides a subtle crunch and attractive aesthetics to the dish.

Add fresh herbs like cilantro or green onions to introduce vibrant colors and additional flavors.

The chicken slices can be arranged in a dish and sauces can be drizzled over them in order to create a beautiful and inviting look.

What is Char Siu Chicken?

Char Siu Chicken is a unique take on the famous Chinese style of barbecue. While the original recipe calls for pork, using chicken ensures a light and equally delicious offering. At its core, the recipe incorporates chicken marinated in a sweet and savory mix of honey, soy sauce and five spice powder. The combination powers an interesting and soothing dish.  

With marination, the deep flavor infuses with the chicken, allowing the chicken to caramelize nicely. A beautiful glaze forms which not only enhances the dish visually but also improve its flavor. Char Siu Chicken can be consumed by itself or with a number of other dishes, it gives a different taste depending on how you want to have it and to how you are wishing to cook it. Nonetheless, it retains the essence of BBQ from China.  

FAQs About Char Siu Chicken

How is Char Siu Chicken defined? 
Char Siu Chicken is a type of modern Chinese marinated chicken barbecued dish which evolved from the Char Siu pork. The only difference is that the chicken is soaked in the sweet and savoury sauce and then either grilled or roasted.

Are different chicken parts acceptable?
Yes, while boneless chicken thighs are the best because of their juiciness, chicken breasts or tenderloins can also be utilized. Be aware that lower trim cuts like chicken breasts may have to be cooked for shorter periods to avoid drying.

How long can I store leftovers? 
Leftover Char Siu Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, consider freezing the cooked chicken, which can keep for up to 2 months.

Is there any vegetarian version available? 
Yes, definitely! The chicken can be replaced with either tofu or seitan and vegetable-based sauces can be used instead to prepare vegetarian Char Siu with similar taste as the original.

What can I pair with Char Siu Chicken? 
Char Siu Chicken pairs wonderfully with steamed jasmine rice, stir-fried vegetables, Chinese cucumber salad, and even noodles. These sides complement the rich flavors and add balance to the meal.

Conclusion

If you are planning to organize a party and want to taste some Chinese delicacies, then a home-made Char Siu Chicken is the best choice. In today’s contemporary society this chicken recipe shines through as a remarkable and compelling dish. The aromatic chicken glaze and sauce help us retain the unique characteristic of having a sweet and savory taste all in one bite.

So what are you waiting for? Satisfy your cravings and leave your guests wanting more with this delicious Char Siu Chicken, in case you have any insights feel free to comment them on our blog. We wish you great cooking!

Char Siu Chicken Card recipe

Recipe by EmilyCourse: MainCuisine: ChineseDifficulty: Medium
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

25

minutes
Calories

226

kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs (or breasts)

  • 1/4 cup hoisin sauce

  • 1/4 cup honey

  • 1/4 cup soy sauce

  • 2 cloves garlic

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

  • 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder

  • Optional: red food coloring

Directions

  • Marinate the Chicken:
  • Combine honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, Chinese five spice, red food coloring, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil.
  • Mix into a smooth paste.
  • Coat chicken pieces thoroughly and marinate for at least 30 minutes (overnight for best flavor).
  • For Oven Roasting:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • Place marinated chicken on a rack in a roasting pan.
  • Baste with remaining marinade.
  • Roast 25-30 minutes, turning occasionally, until glaze caramelizes.
  • For Grilling:
  • Preheat grill to medium-high.
  • Grill chicken 6-10 minutes per side.
  • Baste regularly for moist, charred finish.
  • Fot the Air Fryer:
  • Preheat air fryer to 200°C (392°F).
  • Cook chicken 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
  • Results in a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
  • Glazing and Serving:
  • Apply extra glaze during the last few minutes of cooking for better caramelization.
  • Rest cooked chicken 5-10 minutes before serving.
  • Slice and serve with desired condiments.

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Emily foodrealm

Hello everyone!

I’m Emily, an avid cook and food lover. My blog is a way to share my passion for cooking, and encouraging people to discover the pleasure in cooking great food at your home. You'll discover many recipes to suit any occasion whether it's a warm meal or a snack that's quick and easy or an eye-catching dessert to serve at your next party.
My mission is making cooking accessible and fun for everybody. In the process I'll share techniques, tips to help create the perfect flavor within your kitchen regardless of your experience or level.

I am grateful for your participation in this delicious trip. Let's cook, enjoy and make memories with you!

With love,

Emily

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Other Similar Recipes

Emily foodrealm

Hello everyone!

I’m Emily, an avid cook and food lover. My blog is a way to share my passion for cooking, and encouraging people to discover the pleasure in cooking great food at your home. You'll discover many recipes to suit any occasion whether it's a warm meal or a snack that's quick and easy or an eye-catching dessert to serve at your next party.
My mission is making cooking accessible and fun for everybody. In the process I'll share techniques, tips to help create the perfect flavor within your kitchen regardless of your experience or level.

I am grateful for your participation in this delicious trip. Let's cook, enjoy and make memories with you!

With love,

Emily