There is something utterly irresistible about the rich, savory sweetness of the Char Siu Chicken Recipe, a classic dish that brings the vibrant flavors of Chinese barbecue right into your kitchen. Picture tender chicken thighs marinated in a perfectly balanced mixture of soy sauce, hoisin, garlic, ginger, and the fragrant warmth of Chinese five spice powder, then cooked until the skin crisps up beautifully. This dish is a celebration of bold flavors and textures, guaranteed to become a family favorite that you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this Char Siu Chicken Recipe lies in its simple yet powerful ingredients. Each one plays an essential role — from the succulent chicken thighs providing juicy richness, to the marinade that infuses every bite with authentic Chinese barbecue flavors. These staples are easy to find and come together quickly to create a mouthwatering dish.
- 2.5 pounds chicken thighs (bone-in and skin-on): Offers juicy, flavorful meat and crisp, delicious skin when cooked.
- 5 Tbsp soy sauce: Adds the perfect salty depth and umami to the marinade.
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce: Brings a sweet and tangy richness that defines the Char Siu flavor.
- 2 Tbsp Shaoxing wine (or chicken broth): Gives a subtle aromatic complexity and tenderizes the chicken.
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar: Balances the savory with caramelized sweetness.
- 3 cloves garlic (grated): Infuses a robust, pungent kick that enlivens the dish.
- 1 inch ginger (grated): Adds warmth and a refreshing zest.
- 1 tsp Chinese five spice powder: The secret blend that introduces fragrant notes of star anise, cinnamon, and more.
- 1/4 tsp salt: Enhances all the marinade’s flavors.
- 1/2 tsp red food coloring (optional): Traditional for that iconic char siu red hue, though it doesn’t affect taste.
- White rice: A simple, fluffy base to soak up the glorious juices.
- Veggies: Your choice of steamed or sautéed greens for freshness and crunch.
How to Make Char Siu Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start with carefully deboning your chicken thighs, trimming off excess fat but keeping the skin intact to ensure a crispy, flavorful finish. Remember to pat your chicken pieces dry with paper towels — this crucial step helps the skin crisp up beautifully during cooking.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Marinade
Combine soy sauce, hoisin sauce, Shaoxing wine or chicken broth, brown sugar, grated garlic, grated ginger, Chinese five spice powder, salt, and optional red food coloring in a bowl. Whisk everything until smooth and vibrant. Set aside a quarter cup of this marinade for basting later — it’s the secret to juicy, caramelized crusts.
Step 3: Marinate the Chicken
Place your prepared chicken thighs in a large bowl, pour over the marinade, and toss to coat evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, but if you have the time, letting it marinate overnight will deepen the flavor remarkably.
Step 4: Air Fry to Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 425°F. Arrange the chicken thighs skin side down in a single layer — you may need to do this in batches. Air fry for 8 minutes, then liberally brush both sides with the reserved marinade. Flip the chicken so the skin is now facing up and cook for another 5 to 8 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (reaches an internal temperature of 165°F) and the skin turns golden and crispy.
Step 5: Rest and Slice
Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes — this step locks in all those juicy flavors. Then slice and get ready to enjoy a divine meal that’s bursting with authentic Char Siu charm.
How to Serve Char Siu Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate the dish, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds or chopped scallions over the sliced chicken. These toppings add a lovely texture contrast and a pop of fresh flavor that brightens the rich marinade.
Side Dishes
Serve your Char Siu Chicken Recipe with fluffy steamed white rice that soaks up the delicious juices perfectly. Pair the chicken with simple, lightly sautéed bok choy, snap peas, or stir-fried broccoli to add a fresh and crunchy balance to the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, turn your Char Siu Chicken into a rice bowl topped with pickled vegetables and a soft boiled egg. You can even slice the chicken thinly and use it as a filling for bao buns or lettuce wraps for an interactive dinner that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Char Siu Chicken keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping the skin on ensures it stays juicy, although the skin will be less crisp after reheating.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, freeze the cooked chicken in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Make sure to separate pieces with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Reheating
Reheat leftover chicken gently in a 350°F oven or in an air fryer for a few minutes to regain some crispiness on the skin. Avoid microwaving to keep the texture from becoming rubbery.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
While chicken breasts can be used, thighs are preferred for this Char Siu Chicken Recipe due to their higher fat content and juiciness, which better withstand the cooking process and marinade.
What can I substitute for Shaoxing wine?
If you don’t have Shaoxing wine, chicken broth or dry sherry are great alternatives that will maintain the dish’s complexity without overpowering it.
Is the red food coloring necessary?
No, the red food coloring is optional and purely for authenticity’s sake. The marinade is delicious without it, so feel free to skip if you prefer natural coloring.
Can I cook this recipe without an air fryer?
Absolutely! You can roast the chicken in a preheated oven at 425°F for about 25–30 minutes, flipping and basting halfway through to achieve similarly tender, caramelized results.
How long should I marinate the chicken for best flavor?
Marinating for at least 20 minutes infuses decent flavor quickly, but allowing the chicken to marinate overnight in the fridge will deepen the taste and make the meat even more flavorful.
Final Thoughts
This Char Siu Chicken Recipe is a true keeper that combines bold flavors with effortless cooking. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Chinese barbecue or trying it for the first time, this dish promises to delight your taste buds and bring a little celebration to your dinner table. Go ahead and give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to create such a satisfying and flavorful meal right at home.
Print
Char Siu Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
Char Siu Chicken is a flavorful Chinese-style dish featuring tender chicken thighs marinated in a sweet and savory blend of soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic, ginger, Chinese five spice powder, and Shaoxing wine. The chicken is air fried to achieve crispy skin and juicy meat, making it perfect served over steamed white rice with vegetables for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2.5 pounds chicken thighs (bone-in and skin-on)
Marinade
- 5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 Tbsp Shaoxing wine (or chicken broth)
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic (grated)
- 1 inch ginger (grated)
- 1 tsp Chinese five spice powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp red food coloring (optional)
To Serve
- White rice
- Vegetables (as desired)
Instructions
- Debone and prep chicken: Using a sharp knife, carefully debone the chicken thighs and trim excess fat while keeping the skin intact. Pat each piece dry with paper towels to help the skin crisp up during cooking.
- Make the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, Shaoxing wine (or chicken broth), brown sugar, grated garlic, grated ginger, Chinese five spice powder, salt, and red food coloring if using. Set aside about 1/4 cup of this marinade for basting later.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl and pour the remaining marinade over them. Toss well to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, or up to overnight for deeper flavor infusion.
- Preheat air fryer and cook: Preheat your air fryer to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the chicken thighs skin side down in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed. Air fry for 8 minutes. Then brush both sides with the reserved marinade and flip the chicken so the skin side is up. Continue cooking for another 5 to 8 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden and crispy.
- Rest and serve: Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes. Slice and serve over steamed white rice with your favorite vegetables for a balanced meal.
Notes
- You can marinate the chicken overnight for a more intense flavor.
- Adjust red food coloring as desired or omit if unavailable; it is primarily for traditional color.
- An oven or grill can be used as alternative cooking methods if an air fryer is not available: bake at 425°F for 25-30 minutes or grill over medium heat, basting frequently.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee safety.
