Char Siu Chicken
Char Siu Chicken
Ingredients
For the Char Siu Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
For the Char Siu Marinade
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon five spice powder
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring, optional
- 1 teaspoon MSG, optional
For Serving (Optional)
- 2 cups white rice, cooked
- 1 cup broccoli, steamed
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, honey, five spice powder, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, red food coloring (if using), and MSG (if using). Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the sugar has dissolved.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs on a clean cutting board. Using a fork, pierce the chicken thighs several times on both sides. This will help the marinade penetrate the meat.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Transfer the pierced chicken thighs to a large bowl or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the prepared Char Siu marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Massage the marinade into the chicken with your hands.
⏱️ 3 min
- 4
Cover the bowl or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to marinate. For best flavor, marinate for 2-4 hours, or even overnight.
⏱️ 30 min
- 5
Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add a small amount of cooking oil (about 1 tablespoon) to coat the bottom of the pan.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Once the pan is hot, add the marinated chicken thighs, shaking off any excess marinade. Cook for 5-7 minutes on one side, until a nice caramelized color develops.
⏱️ 7 min
- 7
Flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 6-8 minutes on the second side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is cooked through and tender.
⏱️ 8 min
- 8
Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing.
⏱️ 5 min
- 9
Slice the Char Siu chicken into 1/2-inch thick strips. Serve immediately over white rice, optionally with steamed broccoli or other greens, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Char Siu Chicken
For the Char Siu Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
For the Char Siu Marinade
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon five spice powder
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring, optional
- 1 teaspoon MSG, optional
For Serving (Optional)
- 2 cups white rice, cooked
- 1 cup broccoli, steamed
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, honey, five spice powder, dark soy sauce, oyster sauce, brown sugar, red food coloring (if using), and MSG (if using). Whisk thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined and the sugar has dissolved.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Place the boneless, skinless chicken thighs on a clean cutting board. Using a fork, pierce the chicken thighs several times on both sides. This will help the marinade penetrate the meat.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Transfer the pierced chicken thighs to a large bowl or a resealable plastic bag. Pour the prepared Char Siu marinade over the chicken, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Massage the marinade into the chicken with your hands.
⏱️ 3 min - 4
Cover the bowl or seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to marinate. For best flavor, marinate for 2-4 hours, or even overnight.
⏱️ 30 min - 5
Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add a small amount of cooking oil (about 1 tablespoon) to coat the bottom of the pan.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Once the pan is hot, add the marinated chicken thighs, shaking off any excess marinade. Cook for 5-7 minutes on one side, until a nice caramelized color develops.
⏱️ 7 min - 7
Flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 6-8 minutes on the second side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is cooked through and tender.
⏱️ 8 min - 8
Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing.
⏱️ 5 min - 9
Slice the Char Siu chicken into 1/2-inch thick strips. Serve immediately over white rice, optionally with steamed broccoli or other greens, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
⏱️ 2 min