Introduction & Memories

One of my greatest recollections of Char Siu Chicken is from a cookout with friends on a sweltering summer day. I could tell we were in for a treat when the sweet and savory smell of the marinated chicken cooking on the barbecue filled the air. The burnt edges of the chicken and the gooey, caramelized glaze made a dish that made everyone want more.

The best thing about Char Siu Chicken is how many different ways you can use it. This dish is always a hit, whether you grill it outside for a picnic or roast it in the oven for a warm evening at home. The marinade is what makes the chicken taste so good. It has a lot of flavor from hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, and Chinese five-spice powder.

There are so many ways to serve Char Siu Chicken. I like to eat it with steaming jasmine rice and stir-fried vegetables for a full supper that fills me up and makes me feel good. If you have any leftovers, they make great complements to fried rice or noodle dishes the next day. This way, you can enjoy every last bite.

People come together when they eat Char Siu Chicken. This dish is great for making memories, whether you’re sharing it with family and friends during a celebration or just enjoying it on a weeknight. Try Char Siu Chicken the next time you want something sweet, salty, and very tasty. Like mine, it could become a new favorite in your house.

Chicken Char Siu

Difficulty: Intermediate    Prep Time: 15 minutes    Cook Time: 25 minutes    Rest Time: 10 minutes
The whole thing took 50 minutes.
Calories: 250

What it is

The Char Siu Chicken is tender and juicy, and it has a sweet and savory glaze with undertones of honey, soy, and Chinese five-spice. Each bite is a wonderful mix of caramelized char and juicy, tasty meat that will make your taste buds dance. Get ready for a taste that will blow your mind!

Important Parts of Char Siu Chicken

The secret to making the best Char Siu Chicken is to mix together tasty ingredients for the marinade. Each part is important for giving the bird its unique sweet, savory, and fragrant flavor. Let’s take a deeper look at the key elements that make Char Siu Chicken so delicious:

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: These kinds of meat are perfect for Char Siu Chicken because they soak up the marinade well and stay juicy and soft while they cook.
• Hoisin sauce: is a thick, savory sauce prepared from soybeans, garlic, vinegar, and a variety of spices. It gives the chicken a rich, sweet, and umami flavor that is typical of Char Siu.
• Soy sauce: is a common ingredient in Asian cooking. It not only adds saltiness to the marinade, but it also gives it a unique umami flavor that makes it taste better overall.
• Honey: adds a natural sweetness to the recipe, and when the chicken is cooked, it caramelizes beautifully, making a sticky coating that balances off the salty and savory flavors.
• Oyster sauce: This umami-rich sauce adds depth of flavor and a shiny finish to the marinade, making the Char Siu Chicken taste even better.
• Rice vinegar: This vinegar has a mild tangy taste that helps make the chicken more soft and brings out the flavors of the marinade.
• Garlic: Minced garlic adds a strong flavor and smell to the marinade, which makes the dish taste even better.
• Chinese five-spice powder: is a mix of star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Szechuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. This fragrant spice mix has a warm and nuanced flavor that is very Chinese.
• Sesame oil: This oil has a nutty and fragrant scent that provides a final layer of flavor to the marinade, bringing all the ingredients together and giving the meal a hint of richness.

Things you need

• 1 1/2 pounds of chicken thighs with no bones or skin
• 1/4 cup of hoisin sauce
• Two tablespoons of soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons of honey
• 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped up
• 1 teaspoon of Chinese five-spice powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of sesame oil

How to Cook Char Siu Chicken

1. Set the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix together the soy sauce, honey, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, Chinese five-spice powder, and sesame oil.
3. Put the chicken thighs in a big plastic bag that can be sealed.
4. Pour half of the marinade over the chicken, close the bag, and put it in the fridge for at least 2 hours (or up to overnight).

5. Put the rest of the marinade in a separate container and put it in the fridge.
6. Take the marinated chicken out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
7. Put the chicken thighs on a baking sheet that has been coated with aluminum foil.
8. Put the chicken in the preheated oven and bake it for 25 to 30 minutes, or until it is done.
9. Put the marinade you saved in a small pot while the chicken is cooking.
10. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes to thicken.
11. Use the thickened marinade to brush the cooked chicken.
12. Broil the chicken for another 2 to 3 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burn.
13. Take the chicken out of the oven when it is caramelized and a little bit burnt.
14. Before cutting and serving the char siu chicken, let it sit for a few minutes.

Instructions

1. Set the oven to 375°F (190°C) before you start.
2. Mix together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, minced garlic, Chinese five-spice powder, and sesame oil in a bowl.
3. Put the chicken thighs in a big plastic bag that can be sealed.
4. Put half of the marinade over the chicken, close the bag, and put it in the fridge for at least two hours (or up to overnight).
5. Put the rest of the marinade in a separate container and cover it.
6. Take the marinated chicken out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
7. Put the chicken thighs on a baking sheet that has been coated with aluminum foil.
8. Put the chicken in the preheated oven and bake it for 25 to 30 minutes, or until it is done.
9. Put the marinade you set beforehand in a small saucepan while the chicken cooks.
10. Bring it to a boil, then turn the heat down and let it simmer for approximately 10 minutes to thicken.
11. Use the thickened marinade to brush the cooked chicken.
12. Broil the chicken for another 2 to 3 minutes, keeping a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
13. Take the chicken out of the oven when it is caramelized and a little bit browned.
14. Before cutting and serving the char siu chicken, let it sit for a few minutes.

Enjoy your own char siu chicken!

Please Note

• If you want the chicken to taste better, you might let it marinate for up to 24 hours.
• Most supermarket stores have Chinese five-spice powder in the spice department.
• You can add a little chili paste or red pepper flakes to the marinade to make it spicier.
• While broiling, keep a tight eye on the chicken so it doesn’t burn.
• You can have char siu chicken with steamed rice or stir-fried vegetables.
• You may keep leftover char siu chicken in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container.

How to Serve Char Siu Chicken

1. Char Siu Chicken Banh Mi: Use leftover Char Siu Chicken as a filler for a tasty Banh Mi to take your sandwich game to the next level. Put the tasty chicken slices on a crusty baguette with pickled carrots and daikon, fresh cilantro, sliced cucumbers, and a smear of spicy mayo. Every bite has a delectable explosion of tastes thanks to the mix of savory, sweet, tangy, and crunchy parts.
2. Char Siu Chicken Fried Rice: Make a filling one-pan supper out of your leftover Char Siu Chicken by making a batch of Char Siu Chicken fried rice. Cut the chicken into small pieces and put them in a hot wok with day-old cooked rice, scrambled eggs, frozen peas, sliced carrots, and green onions. A quick and tasty meal that works well for a weekday dinner is to drizzle soy sauce and sesame oil over it.
3. Char Siu Chicken Lettuce Wraps: Serve your Char Siu Chicken in crisp lettuce cups for a light and refreshing take on a classic dish. Put shredded Char Siu Chicken, crunchy water chestnuts, sliced scallions, and a sprinkle of chopped peanuts on each lettuce leaf. Add hoisin sauce and lime juice for a healthful and tasty snack or light dinner that is full of flavor and texture.

Make something new with your leftovers and enjoy the many ways you may serve Char Siu Chicken with these fun ideas!

How to Keep Char Siu Chicken

Once you’ve cooked a tasty batch of Char Siu Chicken, you’ll want to make sure that any leftovers are stored correctly so they stay fresh and tasty. One easy way to keep Char Siu Chicken is to put it in the fridge in a container that doesn’t let air in. Let the chicken cool down all the way before putting it in the container. If you want to keep the chicken from getting too soggy when you reheat it, make careful to remove any sauce or glaze that is still on it.

You may also freeze Char Siu Chicken if you want to keep it for a long time. Put the chilled chicken in a container that can go in the freezer or a resealable plastic bag. Before sealing, try to get as much air out as possible. You can also freeze any surplus marinade you have for later use. When you’re ready to eat the frozen Char Siu Chicken, take it out of the freezer and put it in the fridge overnight. Then, to keep its flavor and texture, gently reheat it on the stovetop or in the oven.

If you plan to eat the leftovers within a few days, the best way to keep Char Siu Chicken fresh is to put it in the fridge. Freezing the chicken, on the other hand, will help it last longer without changing its taste. You may still enjoy the great flavors of Char Siu Chicken after the first cooking session if you follow these easy storage guidelines.

In conclusion

So there you have it: a delicious trip into the world of Char Siu Chicken, from its delicious flavors and main components to simple cooking instructions and fun ways to serve it. Char Siu Chicken is sure to please your taste buds and add a touch of Asian flair to your kitchen, whether you’re a seasoned home cook or someone who loves to cook and wants to try something new.

If you want something that tastes good and sweet at the same time, try making Char Siu Chicken next time you want something like that. Every stage of the cooking process is a feast for the senses, from the bright colors of the marinade to the mouthwatering smells coming from the oven.

You can print out this recipe and article so you have them on hand for your next cooking project. I’d love to hear from you if you have any questions, comments, or just want to tell me about your experience making Char Siu Chicken. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas or stories with me because cooking is all about being creative and making connections.

Now, go out and enjoy the deliciousness of homemade Char Siu Chicken. May your kitchen be full of laughter, wonderful food, and the happiness of eating together. Enjoy cooking!