Description
This Char Siu Chicken Roast recipe offers a savory and slightly sweet twist on traditional Chinese BBQ with juicy, flavorful chicken thighs coated in a delicious marinade of soy sauces, honey, and Chinese five-spice powder. Roasted to perfection, this dish makes a great meal for any occasion, served with rice or noodles for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
300g (10.5 oz) chicken thighs (with skin-on, bone-in or boneless, depending on preference)
For the Marinade:
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp dark soy sauce (or kecap manis)
2 tbsp brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, pureed or grated
1-inch piece ginger, pureed or grated
1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
Pinch of white pepper
1 tsp red food coloring (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade: In a bowl, mix honey, soy sauces, oyster sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, five-spice powder, white pepper, and red food coloring (if using). Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is well combined.
- Marinate the Chicken: Coat the chicken thighs evenly with the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to develop.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top to allow air circulation around the chicken.
- Arrange the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade and arrange on the wire rack. Set aside the remaining marinade for later use.
- Roast the Chicken: Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the chicken is roasting, simmer the reserved marinade in a small saucepan over low heat for 3-5 minutes, thickening it into a glaze.
- Baste and Finish Roasting: After 20 minutes, brush the chicken with the thickened glaze, flip the chicken, and brush the other side. Continue roasting for another 15-20 minutes or until fully cooked and slightly charred.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with steamed rice, noodles, or your choice of sides.
Notes
For Extra Flavor: Marinating overnight yields the best flavor as the spices and sauces have more time to penetrate the chicken.
For Crispy Skin: If using skin-on chicken thighs, ensure they are placed skin-side up on the rack to get a crispy finish.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Chinese BBQ, Roasted Chicken
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 280 kcal