Description
Char siu chicken brings authentic Cantonese flavors right to your dinner table, making weeknight meals super exciting. Tender chicken pieces glazed with sweet and savory sauce create an amazing meal that comes together faster than ordering takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs or breasts
Sauce Ingredients:
- ½ cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
Seasoning and Aromatics:
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Whisk together ½ cup hoisin sauce, ¼ cup honey, ¼ cup soy sauce, 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tsp red food coloring in a spacious mixing bowl until completely blended.
- Submerge 2 pounds of boneless chicken thighs or breasts into the marinade, ensuring every surface gets coated. Seal the container and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, though overnight creates deeper flavor complexity.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F or prepare a grill for medium-heat cooking. Position a rack inside a baking sheet if using the oven to catch potential drips.
- Transfer the marinated chicken directly onto the prepared cooking surface, spreading pieces to prevent overcrowding. Reserve 2-3 tablespoons of marinade for occasional basting.
- Cook the chicken for 22-28 minutes, brushing with reserved marinade every 8-10 minutes to maintain moisture and enhance caramelization.
- Check internal temperature using a meat thermometer – you want it to reach exactly 165°F at the thickest part of the meat.
- Remove chicken from heat and allow it to rest for 5-7 minutes. This helps redistribute juices, ensuring each bite remains tender and succulent.
Notes
- Let the chicken marinate longer for deeper, richer flavor profiles that permeate every bite of meat.
- Check your meat temperature with a reliable instant-read thermometer to ensure perfectly cooked chicken without drying it out.
- For a gluten-free version, swap standard soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to maintain the authentic flavor.
- When grilling, watch for flare-ups from the honey and sauce, which can cause burning – adjust heat or move chicken to indirect cooking zones.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 362 kcal
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 960 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg