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Char siu chicken with glossy caramelized glaze and sesame seeds on white plate

Char Siu Chicken

Oven-roasted char siu chicken features tender chicken thighs with a sweet, sticky, and savory Chinese BBQ marinade. An easy alternative to traditional pork char siu, perfect for weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Marinating Time 2 hours
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon white pepper
  • 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 drops red food coloring optional
  • 2 tablespoons honey for basting
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish

Equipment

  • Baking tray
  • Parchment paper or foil
  • mixing bowl
  • Ziplock bag or bowl
  • Pastry brush
  • meat thermometer

Method
 

  1. Trim excess fat from chicken thighs and discard. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine dark brown sugar, salt, five spice powder, white pepper, hoisin sauce, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, sesame oil, and minced garlic. Whisk until smooth and well blended. Add red food coloring if using.
  3. Place chicken in a large ziplock bag or bowl. Transfer 1/4 cup of marinade to a small container and refrigerate for later basting. Pour remaining marinade over chicken and massage to coat all pieces thoroughly.
  4. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for minimum 2 hours or overnight for best flavor.
  5. Remove chicken from refrigerator 15 to 20 minutes before cooking to bring closer to room temperature.
  6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
  7. Arrange marinated chicken pieces in a single layer on prepared baking tray. Bake for 20 minutes.
  8. Mix reserved marinade with honey. Remove chicken from oven and brush generously with honey-marinade mixture.
  9. Return to oven and continue roasting for 5 to 10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and juices run clear.
  10. Optional: Brush with additional glaze and return to oven for 1 minute for extra caramelization.
  11. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Slice chicken into pieces, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve immediately with pan drippings.
Etekcity Food Kitchen Scale - Kitchen Equipment Recommendation

Notes

Can use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts but adjust cooking time accordingly. For chicken breast, internal temperature should reach 160°F as it will rise to 165°F during resting. Red food coloring is optional and only adds visual appeal. Can also grill on BBQ over medium heat. Dark meat stays more tender and juicy than white meat. Pat chicken dry before cooking for better caramelization. Use a sharp knife to cut thin slices for best presentation.
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