If you’re craving bold, comforting flavors, this Easy Char Siu Chicken With Sweet BBQ Glaze delivers everything you love about classic Chinese BBQ — without complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients. Juicy chicken thighs are coated in a sticky, savory-sweet glaze made with hoisin, honey, garlic, and fragrant five-spice, then cooked until beautifully caramelized. It’s an easy dinner recipe that feels special enough for guests but simple enough for busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Char Siu Chicken
- Big flavor, simple prep: A quick marinade does most of the work.
- Family-friendly: Sweet, savory, and aromatic without being spicy.
- Versatile: Perfect for rice bowls, noodles, wraps, or meal prep.
- Authentic-inspired: Classic char siu flavors adapted for home cooking.
This recipe brings that glossy, BBQ-style finish you expect from char siu — no grill or specialty equipment required.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you need to make this char siu chicken recipe at home:
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
These pantry-friendly ingredients combine to create a glaze that’s sweet, savory, slightly tangy, and deeply aromatic.
How to Make Char Siu Chicken (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Make the Marinade
In a medium bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, honey, oyster sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, five-spice powder, and minced garlic until smooth.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl or zip-top bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and toss until evenly coated. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 8 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Arrange the marinated chicken on a lined baking sheet. Roast for 20–25 minutes, turning once and brushing with extra marinade for a glossy finish.
Step 4: Caramelize the Glaze
For extra char siu-style caramelization, broil the chicken for 2–3 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing. Spoon any pan juices over the top for maximum flavor.
Tips & Variations
- Use chicken breasts: Swap thighs for breasts, but reduce cooking time slightly.
- Lower sodium: Choose low-sodium soy sauce to control salt levels.
- Extra glaze: Reserve a little marinade (before adding chicken) to brush on at the end.
- Air fryer option: Cook at 375°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Make it mild: This recipe is naturally mild and kid-friendly.
Easy Char Siu Chicken With Sweet BBQ Glaze
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Juicy boneless chicken thighs are coated in a sweet-savory Char Siu-style glaze made with hoisin, honey, garlic, and Chinese five-spice, then roasted and briefly broiled until glossy and caramelized. Perfect for weeknight dinner, rice bowls, noodles, or meal prep.
Ingredients
1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp oyster sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce (or low-sodium)
1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1/2 tsp sesame oil
Instructions
1. In a bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, honey, oyster sauce, soy sauce, Chinese five-spice, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and minced garlic until smooth.
2. Add chicken thighs to a bowl or zip-top bag. Pour marinade over chicken and toss to coat well. Marinate at least 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours refrigerated).
3. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment and lightly oil if needed.
4. Arrange chicken in a single layer on the baking sheet. Roast 20–25 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Brush with pan juices or extra reserved sauce for shine.
5. Broil 2–3 minutes at the end for caramelized edges, watching closely to prevent burning.
6. Rest 5 minutes, then slice. Serve over rice or noodles and drizzle with any pan juices.
Notes
For extra glaze: reserve 2–3 tablespoons of the sauce before adding chicken, then brush on during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Substitutions: maple syrup can replace honey; low-sodium soy helps reduce salt; if skipping oyster sauce, use 1 extra tablespoon hoisin plus 1 teaspoon soy sauce.
Storage: refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days in an airtight container. Reheat gently to keep chicken juicy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Chinese-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
Serving Ideas & Storage
Serve char siu chicken over steamed jasmine rice, fried rice, or lo mein noodles. It also works beautifully sliced into lettuce wraps or tucked into meal prep bowls with vegetables.
Storage:
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave to keep the chicken juicy.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~320 |
| Protein | 28g |
| Carbohydrates | 18g |
| Fat | 14g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Sodium | ~720mg |
Final Thoughts
This Easy Char Siu Chicken With Sweet BBQ Glaze proves that restaurant-quality flavor doesn’t have to be complicated. With simple ingredients and a quick cooking method, you can enjoy the comforting taste of Chinese BBQ right at home — perfect for weeknights, meal prep, or sharing with family.