Char Siu Chicken
If you’ve ever craved that glossy, sweet-savory Chinese BBQ pork but wanted something quicker and easier at home, this Char Siu Chicken is your answer. It’s juicy, sticky, and packed with flavor — all thanks to a quick marinade of char siu sauce, soy, and a touch of rice wine. The best part? You don’t need fancy equipment or long prep times. Just marinate, pan-fry or roast, and you’ve got a dish that tastes like it came straight from a Hong Kong BBQ shop — but made in your own kitchen.
If you enjoyed making this airfryer char siu chicken and want to try the classic pork version, I’ve got you covered! My Airfryer Char Siu Pork recipe uses the same delicious sweet and savory glaze, but with juicy pork shoulder as the star. It’s just as easy, just as flavorful, and perfect if you’re craving the traditional version—check it out here!
Ingredients
- 3–4 Chicken thighs
- ½ tsp Sugar
- ½ tsp Five spice powder
- 2 tsp Soy sauce
- 1 tsp Oyster sauce
- 1.5 tbsp Char Siu sauce
- 2 slices Ginger
- 0.75 cup Water
- 1.5 cups Cooked Rice
- 1 egg (optional)
- Vegetables (optional)
Step by step instructions
- Marinate the chicken
In a bowl, combine the chicken thighs with char siu sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, five spice powder, sugar, and ginger. Mix well so the chicken is evenly coated. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes to soak in the flavors — but if you have more time, leaving it longer will only make it better. - Sear the chicken
Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add a little oil. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for about 3 minutes until the skin is golden and slightly crisp. Flip and sear the other side for another 2 minutes to lock in flavor. - Simmer with water
Pour in water directly into the pan. Cover with a lid and let the chicken cook for about 5 minutes. This step keeps the meat juicy while allowing the marinade to infuse deeper. - Reduce the sauce
Remove the lid and continue cooking until most of the liquid has evaporated and the sauce becomes thick, glossy, and coats the chicken beautifully. Stir occasionally so it doesn’t burn. - Slice and serve
Once the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened, remove it from the pan. Slice into bite-sized pieces and drizzle the remaining sauce over the top. Optional: Serve it over a bowl of hot rice with a fried egg and vegetables for the perfect comfort meal.
Char Siu Chicken
Ingredients
- 3-4 Chicken thighs
- 1/2 tsp Sugar
- 1/2 tsp Five spice powder
- 2 tsp Soy sauce
- 1 tsp Oyster Sauce
- 1.5 tbsp Char Siu Sauce
- 2 slices Ginger
- 0.75 cup Water
- 1.5 cups Cooked Rice
- 1 Egg (optional)
- Vegetables (optional
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the chicken thighs with char siu sauce, soy sauce, oyster sauce, five spice powder, sugar, and ginger. Mix well so the chicken is evenly coated. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes to soak in the flavors — but if you have more time, leaving it longer will only make it better.
- Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add a little oil. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for about 3 minutes until the skin is golden and slightly crisp. Flip and sear the other side for another 2 minutes to lock in flavor.
- Pour in water directly into the pan. Cover with a lid and let the chicken cook for about 5 minutes. This step keeps the meat juicy while allowing the marinade to infuse deeper.
- Remove the lid and continue cooking until most of the liquid has evaporated and the sauce becomes thick, glossy, and coats the chicken beautifully. Stir occasionally so it doesn’t burn.
- Once the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened, remove it from the pan. Slice into bite-sized pieces and drizzle the remaining sauce over the top. Optional: Serve it over a bowl of hot rice with a fried egg and vegetables for the perfect comfort meal.