Char Siu Chicken (Print-Friendly Version)
Tender chicken thighs in a sweet-savory marinade of hoisin, soy sauce and five-spice, grilled to caramelized perfection.
# Ingredients You'll Need:
→ For the Char Siu Marinade
01 -
¼ cup hoisin sauce
02 -
¼ cup soy sauce
03 -
2 tablespoons honey
04 -
1 tablespoon Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
05 -
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
06 -
1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
07 -
1 teaspoon minced garlic
08 -
1 teaspoon minced ginger
09 -
1 tablespoon red food coloring (optional, for authentic color)
→ For the Chicken
10 -
4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs (or boneless, skinless if preferred)
→ Optional Garnish
11 -
Sliced green onions
12 -
Sesame seeds
# How to Make It:
01 -
Combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, Chinese rice wine, oyster sauce, five-spice powder, minced garlic, and minced ginger in a bowl. Add red food coloring if desired for traditional color.
02 -
Place chicken thighs in a sealable bag or container and pour the marinade over them. Ensure all pieces are well coated. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours, or overnight for deeper flavor.
03 -
Set up grill to medium heat or preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
04 -
For grilling: Cook chicken 8-10 minutes per side until caramelized and internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F). For oven: Roast for 20-25 minutes until caramelized and fully cooked.
05 -
Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
# Tips and Suggestions:
01 -
The marinade caramelizes beautifully when grilled, giving the chicken a gorgeous, glossy finish
02 -
Chicken thighs stay moist and juicy even after grilling or roasting
03 -
This dish is excellent for meal prep as it maintains flavor and tenderness
04 -
You can customize the sweetness or spice level of the marinade to suit your taste