Description
Juicy and Tender Char Siu Chicken is a flavorful Chinese BBQ dish featuring marinated boneless chicken thighs roasted to perfection with a sweet and savory hoisin-based glaze. This easy baked chicken recipe captures the traditional char siu taste with tender meat, caramelized edges, and a beautiful glaze, perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)
Garnish
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, brown sugar, sesame oil, five-spice powder, minced garlic, grated ginger, and red food coloring if using to create a flavorful marinade.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the marinade and toss until they are fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to infuse deeply.
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Baking Tray: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top to elevate the chicken, allowing excess marinade to drip off during roasting.
- Arrange and Roast the Chicken: Place the marinated chicken thighs on the wire rack in a single layer. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes to begin cooking and caramelizing the glaze.
- Flip and Baste: Flip the chicken pieces over and baste them with any remaining marinade. Continue roasting for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the edges are slightly charred for that signature char siu look.
- Broil for Extra Caramelization (Optional): If you desire a more caramelized finish, broil the chicken on high for 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain its juices. Slice the chicken as desired, then garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
- For a smokier flavor, grill the chicken over medium heat instead of baking.
- You can substitute chicken breasts if preferred, but reduce the cooking time to avoid drying out the meat.
- Red food coloring is traditional to achieve the classic char siu red color but is completely optional.
