Name: Char Siu Chicken for Easy Homemade Dinner Recipes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs; 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon soy sauce; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry); 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon sesame oil; Red food coloring (optional, for classic color)

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This Char Siu Chicken recipe brings bold, savory flavors to your table without the fuss of complicated prep. It’s a sweet and sticky twist on the classic pork char siu recipe, but with chicken – and a lot less waiting around. We’re talking about something that hits all the right notes for quick, satisfying Dinner Dishes. Whether you’re into Chicken Dishes Recipes, scouting for a new chicken dinner recipe, or secretly wish siu mai recipe flavors came in chicken form—this is for you. It’s one of those Chicken Recipes Dinner ideas that turns a boring evening into a homemade dinner win. Grab that bowl, whisk the marinade, and let the oven handle the magic. If you’ve got leftovers (unlikely), they’re even better the next day.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Char Siu Chicken Recipe
3) Ingredients for Char Siu Chicken
4) How to Make Char Siu Chicken
5) Tips for Making Char Siu Chicken
6) Making Char Siu Chicken Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Char Siu Chicken
8) Try these Main Course Recipes next!
9) Char Siu Chicken Recipe
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

Sticky-sweet chicken that brings takeout flavors home
No grill required—bakes perfectly in your oven
Prep ahead and marinate for best flavor
Family favorite that works with rice or noodles

2) Easy Char Siu Chicken Recipe

If you’re anything like me, weeknights get loud, fast. Between hungry faces and half-finished laundry, dinner needs to work hard without working me over. That’s where this Char Siu Chicken steps in. It checks all the boxes: juicy, flavorful, and it looks like I actually had a plan. Best part? It lives right in the homemade dinner recipes category I lean on when life isn’t playing fair.

The glaze is sticky and bold, and it clings to the chicken in the best way. That hoisin-honey combo makes it taste like something you’d get from a spot downtown, except you made it without changing out of sweatpants. It’s inspired by a classic pork char siu recipe, but let’s be real—chicken’s quicker, easier, and probably already in your fridge.

If you’re stocking up on Dinner Dishes, especially ones that double as Chicken Dishes Recipes, this one deserves a top spot. It even gives those siu mai recipe flavors a little nod with that five-spice blend. You’ll see. Just don’t skip the sesame oil.

3) Ingredients for Char Siu Chicken

Chicken Thighs: Boneless and skinless, these stay juicy and soak up flavor like a sponge. I always reach for thighs when I need that extra tenderness.

Hoisin Sauce: Thick, savory, and a little sweet, hoisin acts like the backbone of the marinade. Think BBQ sauce’s bold cousin with an Asian twist.

Honey: This gives the glaze that golden, sticky finish. It caramelizes during roasting, which makes the edges irresistible.

Soy Sauce: Adds depth and salt. I usually go with low sodium so the balance stays right and the other flavors still shine.

Oyster Sauce: Salty, rich, and just a little funky in the best way, this ingredient lifts the marinade up a notch.

Shaoxing Wine: Traditional and full of character. If it’s not in the cabinet, dry sherry does the trick.

Five-Spice Powder: Warm, sweet, and complex—this blend brings that unmistakable Chinese BBQ flavor we’re chasing here.

Garlic Powder: A little sharpness, a lot of charm. Garlic pulls everything together without being loud.

Sesame Oil: Toasted sesame oil finishes the marinade with that deep, nutty note I find myself craving more often than I’d like to admit.

Red Food Coloring: Totally optional, but if you want that bright red hue like the traditional pork char siu, this’ll get you there.

4) How to Make Char Siu Chicken

Step 1. Grab a mixing bowl. Toss in hoisin sauce, honey, soy sauce, oyster sauce, Shaoxing wine, five-spice powder, garlic powder, and sesame oil. Whisk till it’s smooth. If you’re going for that signature red, add a small drop of food coloring now.

Step 2. Place your chicken thighs in a zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over and give it a little massage. Let it chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes—or overnight if you’re a planner.

Step 3. When you’re ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with foil and top with a wire rack. This helps caramelize the glaze evenly and keeps cleanup easy.

Step 4. Lay the chicken on the rack. Bake for 20 minutes. Flip each piece carefully and brush with leftover marinade. Bake another 10 to 15 minutes until the edges char just enough.

Step 5. Let the chicken rest a few minutes. Slice it up or serve whole. Spoon any sticky bits from the pan on top—trust me, you want those.

5) Tips for Making Char Siu Chicken

Don’t skip the marinating time. Even 30 minutes makes a difference, but if you’ve got overnight, the flavor payoff is big. The marinade clings better and caramelizes more evenly once it soaks in.

Bake on a rack. I used to toss everything straight onto foil and hope for the best. A rack lifts the chicken just enough to crisp the edges and keeps that glaze from puddling. It’s worth the dishwashing.

Check your oven at the 30-minute mark. Not all ovens run the same. If the chicken edges look golden and sticky, it’s ready. If not, give it another few minutes. You want that glaze thick and dark—not burnt, just charred enough to make your kitchen smell incredible.

6) Making Char Siu Chicken Ahead of Time

Prepping ahead? Great move. You can marinate the chicken in the morning or the night before. Just keep it sealed and cold in the fridge.

When it’s go time, take the chicken out and let it sit at room temp for 10 minutes while the oven heats. That helps it cook more evenly and prevents it from seizing up.

I’ve even roasted it early, let it cool, and sliced it up for weekday lunches. It keeps that sweet-savory kick and pairs great with rice, wraps, or even a big crunchy salad. Another win for the homemade dinner recipes collection if you ask me.

7) Storing Leftover Char Siu Chicken

Leftovers? Lucky you. Let the chicken cool completely before sealing it in an airtight container. It’ll stay tasty in the fridge for up to four days.

I reheat mine in a skillet over medium heat. A splash of water and a lid brings it back to life without drying it out. The glaze melts again and does its thing.

If you’re freezing it, wrap the pieces individually so you can grab only what you need. It makes for quick meals later—another point for this chicken dinner recipe holding its own in the freezer.

8) Try these Main Course Recipes next!

9) Char Siu Chicken Recipe