Juicy and Tender Char Siu Chicken

The key to achieving that melt-in-your-mouth, tender texture in Char Siu Chicken lies in the marinade. It’s not just about the flavors; it’s about giving the chicken time to soak up every drop of that sweet, savory goodness. I always recommend letting the chicken marinate for at least a few hours, but if you can manage to wait overnight, the flavors will deepen, creating a more complex, irresistible bite. As the chicken sits in the marinade, the sugar caramelizes beautifully when it hits the heat, giving the dish that signature glossy, sticky finish. If you’re like me, you’ll probably find yourself sneaking bites of the marinade as you prep—it’s just that good!

One of my favorite parts of cooking Char Siu Chicken is the roasting process. The key is to cook the chicken slowly over moderate heat, which helps lock in all those juices. I prefer to use a rack in the oven, which allows the heat to circulate evenly around the chicken, ensuring it gets that perfect balance of crispy edges while staying juicy inside. Don’t rush this step! A low and slow approach ensures that the chicken absorbs all the flavors and cooks thoroughly without drying out. If you’ve got some extra marinade left, don’t be shy—brush it onto the chicken halfway through roasting for that extra layer of flavor.

I also can’t help but get excited when I see that perfect char forming on the edges of the chicken. That slight caramelization adds depth to the dish, giving each bite an extra layer of flavor. It’s the kind of texture you just can’t replicate with any other cooking method. Every time I make this, I find myself coming back for more, unable to resist the tender, flavorful chicken straight from the oven.

Key Ingredients for Char Siu Chicken

The magic of Char Siu Chicken lies in the balance of sweet, savory, and aromatic flavors. Each ingredient plays a pivotal role in creating that irresistible glaze and tender texture. Here’s a breakdown of the key ingredients that bring this dish to life:

• Chicken Thighs, Boneless and Skinless: The foundation of your Char Siu Chicken. Chicken thighs are juicy, tender, and perfect for soaking up all the flavors from the marinade, ensuring every bite is full of flavor.
• Soy Sauce: A classic umami-packed ingredient that adds a rich, savory base to the marinade, helping to balance the sweetness and bring out the depth in the dish.
• Hoisin Sauce: This thick, sweet sauce gives the Char Siu Chicken that signature sweetness while also contributing a slight tang and hint of spice, making the flavor profile more complex.
• Rice Vinegar: A splash of rice vinegar brightens the marinade, cutting through the sweetness and adding a gentle tang that helps balance the richness of the soy and hoisin sauces.
• Honey: The natural sweetness of honey enhances the caramelization process during roasting, helping to form that glossy, sticky coating that makes Char Siu Chicken so irresistible.
• Brown Sugar: Another layer of sweetness that combines with the honey to achieve that lovely sticky glaze. It also helps the chicken caramelize to perfection during roasting.
• Oyster Sauce: Deepens the savory aspect of the dish with its slightly briny, earthy flavor, adding richness and complexity to the marinade.
• Chinese Five-Spice Powder: This warm and aromatic spice blend brings a touch of cinnamon, star anise, and cloves, infusing the chicken with that distinct, signature Char Siu flavor.
• Sesame Oil: A small amount of sesame oil contributes a nutty fragrance that enhances the overall flavor profile, giving your chicken that signature, savory aroma.
• Garlic: Fresh, minced garlic infuses the marinade with a sharp, aromatic note that complements the sweetness and spice, giving the dish an extra layer of depth.
• Ground White Pepper: A subtle spice that adds a hint of heat without overwhelming the other flavors, giving a slight kick to the marinade and rounding out the taste.
• Red Food Coloring (Optional): Traditionally used to give Char Siu Chicken its vibrant red color, adding a little food coloring will give your dish that authentic, glossy finish. But if you prefer to skip it, your chicken will still taste incredible!
• Water: Just enough to help thin the marinade and ensure it coats the chicken evenly, allowing the flavors to soak in beautifully.

How to Make Char Siu Chicken

Serving Suggestions for Juicy and Tender Char Siu Chicken

• Serve with Steamed Rice: There’s something magical about the pairing of tender Char Siu Chicken with a bowl of perfectly steamed rice. The rice soaks up all that delicious marinade and glaze, making every bite a little moment of heaven. I love using jasmine rice—it’s fragrant and slightly sticky, making it the ideal companion for this juicy chicken. Add a sprinkle of sesame seeds or chopped scallions on top for a burst of color and freshness.
• Pair with a Crisp Cucumber Salad: Balance out the richness of the Char Siu Chicken with a cool, crunchy cucumber salad. Toss thin slices of cucumber with a little rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a pinch of sugar. The crispness of the cucumber and the tangy dressing will cut through the sweetness of the chicken, offering a refreshing contrast that’s just perfect!
• Make a Char Siu Chicken Bao: If you’re feeling adventurous, why not turn your Char Siu Chicken into the star of a bao bun? Soft, pillowy bao buns stuffed with slices of the tender chicken, pickled vegetables, and a drizzle of the marinade glaze—trust me, it’s a bite-sized version of heaven. You can even serve them as appetizers for your next dinner party!

How to Store Juicy and Tender Char Siu Chicken

When you’ve got leftovers of that juicy, tender Char Siu Chicken (and trust me, it happens because it’s just that good), you’ll want to keep it as fresh and flavorful as possible. The first thing to remember is to let the chicken cool down completely before storing it. This helps prevent excess moisture from building up inside the container, which could make the chicken soggy. Once it’s cooled, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It’ll keep for about 3 to 4 days, so you’ve got plenty of time to enjoy those amazing leftovers.

If you want to extend its shelf life, freezing Char Siu Chicken is a great option. Just wrap the pieces tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. When stored this way, the chicken can stay good for up to 3 months. To reheat, you can either thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in the oven or microwave, or pop it straight into a 350°F oven from frozen, covering it with foil to keep it moist.

For those of us who love the idea of keeping the glaze as sticky and delicious as possible, don’t forget to save a little bit of that marinade glaze. If you’re storing leftovers, simply pour some of the glaze over the chicken before refrigerating or freezing. This will ensure that the chicken stays as flavorful and saucy as the day you made it!

Conclusion

And there you have it—your guide to making the most delicious, juicy, and tender Char Siu Chicken at home! From that perfect marinade to the slow roasting process, every step is designed to bring out all those incredible flavors. The sweet, savory, and slightly spicy glaze is the real star, and when it caramelizes during cooking, it creates that irresistible glossy finish that you just can’t beat.

Whether you decide to serve your Char Siu Chicken with fluffy jasmine rice, pair it with a refreshing cucumber salad, or get creative with bao buns, this dish is sure to become a new favorite in your kitchen. And the best part? You can always store those leftovers (if they last long enough) for later—so you can enjoy that deliciousness again and again.

I hope this recipe brings a little extra joy to your kitchen and your table! If you make this Char Siu Chicken, I’d love to hear how it turned out. Feel free to share any thoughts, questions, or even a cooking mishap—I’m always here to chat. Happy cooking, and don’t forget to savor every bite!

Print Recipe

Juicy and Tender Char Siu Chicken

Author: Daniel Carter Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Intermediate Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 25 mins Rest Time 5 mins Total Time 45 mins

Calories: 400

Description

Succulent, tender chicken glazed with a savory-sweet Char Siu marinade, bursting with rich flavors of honey, soy, and five-spice. Its caramelized, slightly smoky edges make each bite irresistible—perfectly balancing sweet and savory in every mouthful!

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

• 1 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce

• 2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon ground white pepper

• ¹⁄₄ teaspoon red food coloring (optional)

• 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. Place the chicken thighs on a clean cutting board and pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Cut the chicken thighs into smaller pieces or leave them whole, depending on your preference for cooking.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, combine soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, honey, brown sugar, oyster sauce, Chinese five-spice powder, sesame oil, minced garlic, white pepper, and red food coloring (if using).
4. Whisk the ingredients together until the sugar has dissolved and the marinade is smooth and well combined.
5. Place the chicken pieces into a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish.
6. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are fully coated.
7. Seal the bag or cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for best results.
8. Preheat your grill or oven to medium heat (around 375°F).
9. If using a grill, lightly oil the grill grates to prevent the chicken from sticking.
10. If using the oven, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and place a wire rack on top.
11. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess marinade to drip off.
12. If grilling, place the chicken on the preheated grill and cook for about 6-8 minutes per side or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
13. If baking, arrange the marinated chicken on the wire rack over the baking sheet and bake for about 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
14. During the last few minutes of cooking, brush the chicken with any remaining marinade to enhance flavor and create a glossy finish.
15. While the chicken cooks, heat the 2 tablespoons of water in a small saucepan over medium heat.
16. Once the water is simmering, stir in any leftover marinade to create a glaze.
17. Allow the glaze to cook for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
18. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill or oven and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
19. Drizzle the glaze over the chicken just before serving for an extra layer of flavor.
20. Serve the juicy and tender char siu chicken with your favorite side dishes.

Note

• Patting the chicken dry before marinating helps the marinade adhere better.
• For extra tenderness, marinate the chicken overnight.
• If you prefer a slightly sweeter glaze, add more honey or brown sugar to the marinade.
• To make the dish spicier, add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the marinade.
• For a smokier flavor, you can grill the chicken over wood chips or charcoal.

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