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Char Siu Chicken (Easy Chinese-Inspired BBQ Chicken)

Char Siu Chicken (Easy Chinese-Inspired BBQ Chicken)
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This Char Siu Chicken is tender, juicy, and coated in a sticky, savory-sweet glaze inspired by classic Chinese BBQ flavors. Marinated in hoisin, honey, soy sauce, and Chinese five-spice, the chicken caramelizes beautifully in the oven, creating deep flavor with minimal effort. It’s an easy, flavorful dish that feels special while still being perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

  • ¼ cup hoisin sauce

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce

  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder

  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the Marinade

In a bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, oyster sauce, rice vinegar, garlic, Chinese five-spice powder, and sesame oil until well combined.

2. Marinate the Chicken

Place the chicken thighs in a large resealable bag. Pour half of the marinade over the chicken, seal the bag, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
Cover and refrigerate the remaining marinade separately.

3. Preheat and Rest

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking.

4. Bake the Chicken

Arrange the chicken thighs on a foil-lined baking sheet. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

5. Thicken the Sauce

While the chicken bakes, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.

6. Glaze and Broil

Brush the cooked chicken generously with the thickened sauce. Broil for 2–3 minutes, watching closely, until caramelized and lightly charred.

7. Rest and Serve

Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Slice and serve warm

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs: They stay juicier than chicken breasts and absorb the marinade better.

  • Don’t skip resting time: Letting the chicken rest before slicing keeps it moist.

  • Watch the broiler closely: The honey in the sauce can burn quickly.

  • Extra glaze: Double the marinade if you want more sauce for rice or noodles.

  • Grill option: This recipe also works great on an outdoor or indoor grill.

Find it online: https://chocotune.com/char-siu-chicken-easy-chinese-inspired-bbq-chicken/