Char Siu Chicken: 3-Ingredient Easy Dinner Recipe Everyone Loves
If you’re craving sweet, sticky, and savory Chinese barbecue chicken, Char Siu Chicken is the dish you need. This iconic Cantonese-style BBQ features tender chicken thighs marinated in a rich blend of soy, hoisin, honey, and five-spice powder. Roasted to caramelized perfection, this is the kind of recipe that transforms simple ingredients into restaurant-quality magic.
For similar Asian-style favorites, try this sweet and savory chicken idea on brandirecipes.com — you’ll love the bold flavors.
Char Siu Chicken is not only deeply flavorful but also simple enough for weeknight dinners. Whether you roast it in the oven or grill it outdoors, it’s guaranteed to please a crowd. You can also pair it with fluffy rice or this strawberry crunch dessert for a balanced East-meets-West feast.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
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300 grams skin-on, boneless chicken thighs
For the Marinade:
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1 tbsp honey
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1 tbsp light soy sauce
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1 tbsp oyster sauce
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1 tbsp hoisin sauce
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1 tbsp Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry)
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½ tsp Chinese five-spice powder
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1 clove garlic, grated
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½ tsp sesame oil
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Optional: A few drops of red food coloring (for traditional red tint)
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:
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Over steamed jasmine or fried rice
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With stir-fried noodles
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Sliced into a bao bun with pickled veggies
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As a topping on ramen bowls
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Paired with sautéed bok choy or Chinese broccoli
Tips & Variations
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Cut of Meat: While chicken thighs are ideal for their richness, chicken breasts or drumsticks can work too.
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Sugar Substitute: Replace honey with maple syrup or brown sugar if needed.
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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.
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Freezer-Friendly: Marinate and freeze raw chicken for meal prep. Thaw and bake when ready.
Storage Instructions
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Refrigerator: Store cooked Char Siu Chicken in an airtight container for 3–4 days.
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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
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
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Marinating Time: 4–12 hours
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Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
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Total Time: ~5 hours (including marinating)
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Yield: Serves 2–3 people
Liens utiles
Tools Used
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Mixing bowls
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Whisk
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Zip-top bag or marinating container
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Baking sheet + foil or parchment
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Basting brush
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Oven or grill
Discover More
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.
For more restaurant-style dishes at home, visit brandirecipes.com and explore hundreds of curated high-flavor recipes tailored for food lovers like you.
Char Siu Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- INSTRUCTIONS ==
- In a bowl, whisk together all marinade ingredients until smooth and well combined.
- Place chicken thighs in a zip-top bag or dish. Pour marinade over chicken, making sure all pieces are coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 200°C (392°F). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Remove chicken from marinade (reserve marinade for basting). Place chicken skin-side up on baking sheet.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, basting with reserved marinade every 10 minutes.
- In the final 5 minutes, switch oven to broil/grill mode to caramelize and crisp the skin.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
You can cook this dish in an air fryer at 190°C for 20–25 minutes. Add a few drops of red food coloring to replicate traditional restaurant-style *Char Siu*. Serve with rice, noodles, or bao buns. == NUTRITION ==
Calories: 380
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 27g
Fat: 24g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 110mg
Sodium: 800mg
Sugar: 12g