The aroma of Char Siu Chicken roasting in the oven is enough to draw everyone into the kitchen. This dish brings the iconic Chinese barbecue flavor to your home with a beautifully sticky glaze made from hoisin, honey, soy, and fragrant five-spice. The caramelized exterior and juicy interior make this recipe irresistibly good and surprisingly simple to prepare.
Perfect for busy weeknights or an impressive weekend feast, this Char Siu Chicken is as adaptable as it is delicious. Whether served over jasmine rice, tucked into bao buns, or sliced for an Asian-style salad, it’s sure to become a family favorite. A touch of red coloring gives it that traditional look, but even without it, the flavors speak volumes.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
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3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
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2 tablespoons honey
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1 tablespoon soy sauce
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1 tablespoon oyster sauce
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1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
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2 teaspoons five-spice powder
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2 teaspoons sesame oil
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
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1–2 drops red food coloring (optional, for traditional char siu look)
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1 tablespoon brown sugar
Directions:
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In a medium bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, five-spice powder, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, and food coloring if using.
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Add the chicken thighs to the bowl, coat them thoroughly, and marinate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
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Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the chicken on a foil-lined baking rack over a baking tray.
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Roast for 25–30 minutes, basting occasionally with the remaining marinade, until the chicken is caramelized and slightly charred on the edges.
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Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with rice or noodles.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 310 kcal per serving | Servings: 4 servings
Introduction to Char Siu Chicken
Char Siu Chicken is a bold, savory-sweet dish that brings the traditional flavors of Chinese barbecue to your home kitchen. Known for its rich red glaze and caramelized edges, Char Siu is often made with pork, but this chicken variation has become increasingly popular for its quicker cooking time and leaner profile. The dish is deeply rooted in Cantonese cuisine and is typically served in Chinese barbecue restaurants or displayed hanging in windows alongside crispy duck and roasted pork belly.
This homemade Char Siu Chicken delivers the same rich, aromatic flavor with a sticky, glossy glaze that’s packed with umami and warmth from five-spice powder, garlic, ginger, and fermented sauces like hoisin and soy. It is incredibly versatile and perfect for anyone looking to experience authentic Asian flavors with ingredients commonly found in most kitchens.
Cultural Origins and Culinary Tradition
Char Siu (叉烧) literally translates to “fork roasted” and traditionally refers to the method of cooking skewered meat over an open flame or in a hot oven until beautifully charred and lacquered with a sweet-savory glaze. This style of cooking is iconic in Chinese street food culture and is an essential element in Cantonese cuisine.
While pork remains the classic protein used in Char Siu, modern variations like Char Siu Chicken cater to diverse dietary preferences and cooking times, making the dish more accessible to home cooks. Using chicken thighs ensures a juicy and tender texture, while still absorbing all the bold marinade flavors. This adaptation maintains the integrity of the dish while introducing a new level of ease and adaptability.
Flavor Profile and Aromatic Experience
The allure of Char Siu Chicken lies in its complex and layered flavors. The combination of hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, and oyster sauce creates a harmonious blend of sweet, salty, and umami notes. The addition of Chinese five-spice—featuring star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds—infuses the dish with a warm, aromatic undertone that’s instantly recognizable and deeply comforting.
Ginger and garlic enhance the savory depth, while sesame oil adds a nutty richness to round out the flavor profile. When baked or roasted, the marinade caramelizes, forming a sticky glaze that adheres beautifully to the surface of the chicken, creating those signature charred, glossy edges.
Why This Recipe Works
This Char Siu Chicken recipe stands out because of its perfect balance between authenticity and simplicity. It respects the roots of traditional Chinese BBQ but adapts it for the modern kitchen. Marinating the chicken for several hours allows the flavors to penetrate deeply, ensuring every bite is juicy and flavorful.
The recipe is oven-friendly, making it easy to execute without the need for special equipment or techniques. Despite its gourmet appearance and taste, this dish requires minimal prep work and can be made in under an hour, including cooking time. It’s ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, or even special dinners with friends and family.
Serving Suggestions
Char Siu Chicken is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving options. It pairs beautifully with steamed jasmine rice or garlic fried rice to soak up the flavorful juices. For a lighter approach, serve it alongside stir-fried or steamed vegetables like bok choy, broccoli, or snow peas.
You can also slice the chicken and tuck it into bao buns with pickled cucumbers and scallions for a mouthwatering sandwich-style treat. For a noodle-based meal, it works wonderfully over lo mein or rice noodles with a drizzle of the leftover glaze and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Char Siu Chicken also makes an excellent addition to Asian-inspired meal prep bowls, combining it with grains, greens, and a boiled egg for a wholesome and satisfying lunch.
Health Benefits and Nutritional Insight
Though Char Siu Chicken is rich in flavor, it can also be a relatively healthy meal depending on how it’s prepared. Using chicken thighs provides a good source of protein and essential nutrients like zinc, B-vitamins, and selenium. Baking the chicken instead of deep-frying significantly reduces the fat content, and the marinade uses natural flavor-enhancers like garlic, ginger, and fermented sauces which are known for their antioxidant and digestive properties.
If you’re watching your sugar or sodium intake, you can easily adjust the amount of honey or opt for low-sodium soy sauce. The flexibility of this dish makes it suitable for various dietary needs, including high-protein and balanced diets.
Tips for Perfect Char Siu Chicken
For the best results, allow the chicken to marinate overnight. This enhances both flavor and tenderness. Make sure to line your baking tray with foil or parchment paper to prevent the marinade from burning, as the sugars in the glaze can caramelize quickly.
Basting the chicken during the roasting process ensures a glossy, even glaze. A final broil for a minute or two can add a beautiful char and deepen the flavor. Always rest the chicken after baking to allow the juices to redistribute, making every slice succulent.
For added color and authenticity, a small amount of red food coloring is traditionally used, but it is entirely optional. The dish will still taste just as delicious without it.
Recipe Variations
While the classic version is made with chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness, you can also use chicken breasts or even wings. For a spicy twist, add a touch of chili garlic sauce or red pepper flakes to the marinade.
If you’re catering to dietary restrictions, the recipe can be made gluten-free by substituting tamari for soy sauce and ensuring all other sauces are gluten-free certified. Vegetarians can replicate the flavors using tofu or tempeh as the base protein, following the same marinating and roasting steps.
For a fusion twist, try using the Char Siu Chicken as a topping for pizza, a filling for tacos, or chopped into a salad bowl for an Asian-fusion flair.
Popularity and Modern Appeal
Char Siu Chicken is gaining popularity worldwide, not only in Chinese restaurants but also in food trucks, bistros, and home kitchens. It encapsulates the global love for Asian fusion cuisine and delivers comfort food satisfaction without being overly heavy or complex.
Its glossy finish and photogenic appearance also make it a favorite among food bloggers and Instagram home chefs. This dish is proof that traditional recipes can evolve beautifully without losing their soul, adapting to modern ingredients and cooking styles while still delivering cultural authenticity.
Conclusion
Char Siu Chicken is a celebration of flavor, heritage, and culinary adaptability. Its signature glaze and deeply aromatic profile make it a standout dish whether served as a casual meal or a festive centerpiece. It honors the legacy of traditional Chinese barbecue while inviting home cooks of all levels to participate in the experience.
This recipe strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory, tenderness and char, and simplicity and depth. It’s a recipe that you’ll come back to again and again—not only for how delicious it tastes but also for how easy it is to prepare. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or a crowd, Char Siu Chicken is bound to impress.
With just a few pantry staples and an oven, you can recreate the bold flavors of one of China’s most beloved dishes right in your own kitchen.