Description
This Char Siu Chicken recipe offers a deliciously sticky and savory Chinese barbecue flavor made easy with a simple marinade and stove-top cooking. Tender boneless chicken thighs are marinated in a mixture of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, and Chinese five-spice powder, then pan-fried with vegetable oil to caramelized perfection. Garnished with green onions and sesame seeds, this dish is perfect served over steamed rice or noodles for a quick and flavorful weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
Marinade
- 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 and Garnish
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, minced garlic, grated ginger, and Chinese five-spice powder. Whisk together until well blended.
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the cut chicken thigh pieces to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse, ideally up to 2 hours.
- Heat the Pan: Place a large skillet or frying pan over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. Let the oil heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Cook the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, reserving the marinade. Add the chicken pieces to the hot pan in a single layer without overcrowding. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
- Simmer the Sauce: Pour the reserved marinade into the pan with the chicken. Allow it to simmer and reduce slightly, coating the chicken pieces in a sticky glaze. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Garnish and Serve: Transfer the Char Siu chicken to a serving plate. Sprinkle sliced green onions and sesame seeds over the top. Serve hot with steamed rice or your choice of sides.
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour or overnight.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breast, but thighs remain juicier and more flavorful.
- If you prefer, finish cooking the chicken under a broiler for 1-2 minutes to achieve a caramelized exterior.
- Adjust the honey amount for more sweetness or balance with a splash of rice vinegar for tang.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Keywords: Char Siu, Chinese BBQ Chicken, Hoisin Chicken Recipe, Asian Chicken Stir Fry, Five-Spice Chicken