Char Siu Chicken: A Quick and Flavorful Dinner Recipe
Char Siu Chicken offers a quick and flavorful dinner option featuring tender, marinated chicken thighs infused with a classic combination of soy sauce, honey, hoisin, garlic, and Chinese five-spice powder. This recipe balances sweet and savory notes and is finished with a perfect oven bake for juicy, caramelized results, garnished with green onions and sesame seeds.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
Cooking
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Garnish
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and Chinese five-spice powder until well combined, creating a flavorful marinade base.
- Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken thigh pieces to the marinade and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to get it ready for baking the chicken after searing.
- Sear the chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken pieces and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, searing them until they achieve a light brown color that locks in juiciness.
- Bake the chicken: Transfer the skillet with the seared chicken into the preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and the marinade thickens into a sticky glaze.
- Finish and garnish: Remove the skillet from the oven carefully. Sprinkle the cooked Char Siu Chicken with sliced green onions and sesame seeds to add color and texture.
- Serve: Plate the chicken immediately, ideally over steamed rice, to enjoy the full spectrum of flavors and textures.
Notes
- For a more intense flavor, marinate the chicken for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator before cooking.
- If an oven-safe skillet is not available, transfer the seared chicken to a baking dish before placing in the oven.
- Adjust the cooking time if using chicken breast pieces, as they may cook faster and become dry.
- Steamed rice pairs perfectly with this dish to balance the rich flavors.
Keywords: Char Siu Chicken, Chinese Chicken Recipe, Oven Baked Chicken, Easy Dinner, Honey Garlic Chicken, Hoisin Sauce Chicken
