Description
Char Siu Chicken Thighs are tender, juicy, and bursting with savory, sweet, and umami flavors. Marinated in a rich, flavorful sauce and baked to perfection, this dish brings the delicious taste of Chinese barbecue right to your kitchen in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
1 tablespoon dark soy sauce or Kecap Manis
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cloves garlic, pureed or grated
1-inch ginger, pureed or grated
1 teaspoon Chinese Five Spice powder
Pinch of white pepper
1 teaspoon red food coloring (optional)
For the Main:
300 grams chicken thighs, fatty cuts preferred
Instructions
- In a large bowl or zipper bag, whisk together honey, light soy sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce or Kecap Manis, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, Chinese Five Spice powder, white pepper, and red food coloring (if using). Stir until fully combined.
- Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover or seal the bowl or bag and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, ideally overnight for deeper flavor.
- Once marinated, remove the chicken thighs from the refrigerator and let them rest at room temperature for 15–20 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Arrange the chicken thighs on a lined baking tray, leaving space between each piece. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and slightly caramelized.
- After baking, let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving warm.
Notes
If you don’t have dark soy sauce or Kecap Manis, you can substitute with regular soy sauce and add a little more sugar to replicate the sweetness and richness.
For a spicier version, add a teaspoon of chili paste or red pepper flakes to the marinade.
If you prefer grilling, cook the marinated chicken thighs on a preheated grill for 5-7 minutes per side.
For a vegetarian option, replace chicken with tofu or tempeh and follow the same marinating and cooking instructions.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven to maintain the glaze.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
