Servings
Font
Back
Chinese BBQ Chicken
5 from 84 votes

Chinese BBQ Chicken

Chinese BBQ Chicken uses a savory marinade featuring garlic, brown sugar, honey, and a combination of hoisin, oyster, and soy sauces complemented by Chinese five-spice powder. Marinated chicken thighs are cooked in a skillet or on a grill, basted in the marinade during cooking to develop a caramelized crust. The dish offers balanced sweet, savory, and fragrant notes characteristic of Chinese-style barbecue.

Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4
Calories: 366 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Ingredients

Marinade:
  • 2 garlic minced, cloves
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tbsp honey
  • 1 1/2 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 2 tsp oyster sauce
  • 1 ½ tbsp soy sauce or all purpose, light
  • 1/2 tsp Chinese five spice powder
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil (not critical)
  • red food colouring optional, few drops
Chicken:
  • 750 g / 1.5lb chicken thigh fillet , skinless boneless (or breast)
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 10 – 12 bamboo skewers , soaked in water for 1 hour (optional)
  • green onions finely sliced, for garnish (optional, or scallions

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place Marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag or bowl and mix to combine.
  2. Add chicken and mix to coat. Marinade for 3 – 24 hours.
  3. Optional: Cut chicken into bite size or large pieces and thread onto skewers. Use 1 skewer for small pieces, 2 for large, like pictured in post.
  4. Heat half the oil in a heavy based skillet over medium high heat, or BBQ on medium (if using grill side, brush oil on bars).
  5. Remove chicken from marinade (RESERVE for basting) and place in the skillet - cook in 2 batches, don't crowd the pan. Cook for 4 minutes then turn.
  6. Use the Marinade to baste the cooked side of the chicken. After 3 minutes, turn the chicken over so the basted side is now cooking again - cook for 1 minute.
  7. Baste the chicken, then turn again and cook for 45 sec - 1 min.
  8. Transfer chicken to a plate, cover loosely with foil and rest for 5 minutes.
  9. Serve, garnished with green onions / scallions if using!

Notes

  • Chinese five-spice powder is readily available in most supermarkets and enhances the marinade’s aroma; if unavailable, hoisin sauce alone provides some of this flavor.
  • Chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness, but chicken breast can be used with good results due to marinade caramelization.
  • For oven cooking, bake at 220°C (425°F) for 18 to 20 minutes, turning once to ensure even cooking.
  • Grilling requires close attention to prevent burning from the sugar in the marinade; medium heat and timely turning help control charring.

Nutrition Information

Serving 201g Calories 366cal (18%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 366

% Daily Value*

Serving 201g
Calories 366cal 18%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.