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Char Siu Chicken Recipe – Easy Homemade Takeout in 30 Minutes

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Sticky, glossy, and outrageously flavorful, this easy char siu chicken recipe brings classic Chinese BBQ flavor to your kitchen in just 30 minutes. Juicy chicken thighs are marinated in a sweet-savory sauce and broiled for a caramelized finish—perfect for weeknights or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce (regular or low-sodium)
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional, for extra caramelization)
  • 1 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine or dry sherry (or apple juice for non-alcoholic)
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1/2 tsp ground white pepper (or black pepper)
  • Few drops red food coloring (optional)
  • Sliced green onions (for garnish, optional)
  • Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
  • Extra honey or reserved marinade for brushing (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a medium mixing bowl, combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine or dry sherry, sesame oil, Chinese five-spice powder, minced garlic, white pepper, and red food coloring (if using). Whisk until smooth.
  2. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Place in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour in the marinade and toss to coat well.
  3. Marinate chicken for 20-30 minutes at room temperature (or up to 24 hours in the fridge).
  4. Preheat oven broiler to high (or oven to 475°F if no broiler). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Spray with nonstick spray.
  5. Remove chicken from marinade (shake off excess, but do not wipe off). Reserve extra marinade for basting.
  6. Arrange chicken in a single layer on the rack. Broil about 6 inches from the heat for 7-8 minutes.
  7. Flip chicken, brush with reserved marinade, and broil another 7-8 minutes, or until cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
  8. For extra caramelization, broil an additional 1-2 minutes per side, brushing with more marinade or honey as desired.
  9. Let chicken rest 3-5 minutes before slicing. Slice into strips and arrange on a platter. Drizzle with pan juices.
  10. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve hot over rice, noodles, or veggies.

Notes

For best results, use chicken thighs for juiciness. Marinate at least 20 minutes, but longer is better. Watch closely under the broiler to prevent burning. For gluten-free, use tamari and check sauces. Double the marinade for extra sauce (boil before serving if it touched raw chicken). Leftovers are great for meal prep and can be frozen.

Nutrition

Keywords: char siu chicken, Chinese BBQ chicken, easy takeout chicken, homemade char siu, broiled chicken thighs, Asian chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, meal prep chicken

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/char-siu-chicken-recipe-easy-homemade-takeout-in-30-minutes/