Char Siu Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
40 mins
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Marinating Time
8 hrs
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Total Time
9 hrs
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Servings
4
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Calories
564 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Chinese
Char Siu Chicken
Description
This Char Siu Chicken recipe uses a marinade blending dark brown sugar, salt, five spice powder, white pepper, hoisin sauce, Shaoxing wine (or substitutes), soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and optional red food coloring. The chicken thighs are coated in this mixture and refrigerated overnight or for at least eight hours to absorb the complex flavors. Before roasting at 375°F, the chicken is brought to room temperature to cook evenly.
The roasting process caramelizes the marinade sugars, creating a shiny, sticky glaze that encases the chicken skin. This cooking method ensures the chicken remains juicy inside while developing characteristic charred edges. The optional red food coloring gives the classic bright red hue typical of Char Siu. The marinade’s combinations of aromatic spices and fermented sauces offer a deep, layered flavor typical of Cantonese barbecue.
Serve the chicken hot as a centerpiece with steamed rice or noodles. The leftover marinade can also be heated to create additional sauce to go with the dish. The recipe’s balance of sweet, savory, and spiced notes delivers an authentic barbecued chicken experience.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon five spice powder
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (can substitute clear rice wine, dry sherry, or beer)
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce light
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 5 drops red food coloring (optional)
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon maltose (can substitute honey or brown rice syrup)
Instructions
- Trim the excess fat from the chicken thighs and discard. Combine the dark brown sugar, salt, five spice powder, white pepper, hoisin sauce, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and red food coloring (if using) in a bowl to make the marinade (i.e. the BBQ sauce). Rub the chicken with the marinade in a large bowl or baking dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or at least 8 hours.
- About 2½ hours before you’d like to eat, take the chicken out of the refrigerator to come up to room temperature for even cooking. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and set a rack in the center of the oven.
- Line a sheet pan with heavy duty foil for easy clean-up, and place a sheet of parchment paper or non-stick foil on top. Evenly space the marinated chicken thighs on the sheet – they should not be touching each other. Reserve any remaining marinade.
- Transfer the chicken to your preheated oven, and roast for 30 minutes. Check on it every 15 minutes. If the chicken is starting to scorch or burn, tent it with aluminum foil and/or lower the oven temperature.
- While the chicken bakes, make your basting sauce. Pour the excess marinade into a small saucepan with the water. Heat the mixture to a simmer. Add the maltose (microwave the maltose for 15 seconds at a time until softened). Mix until the maltose melts into the marinade and turn off the heat.
- After 30 minutes, use a brush to baste the chicken with the cooked marinade. Continue roasting for another 5-10 minutes, and check the internal temperature of the chicken using an instant read thermometer. It’s done when it reaches 165°F (74°C) and/or when the juices run clear when the meat is pierced to the bone. Optionally, give the chicken one last basting and another minute in the oven for that extra char siu crust before serving.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 564 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 564kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 15g | 5% |
| Protein | 38g | 76% |
| Fat | 38g | 58% |
| Saturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8g | 47% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 222mg | 74% |
| Sodium | 1023mg | 43% |
| Potassium | 504mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 0.3g | 1% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 179IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 33mg | 3% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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