If you love Asian food, you will go nuts over this Chinese Chicken! Made with the same Char Siu marinade as the ever popular Chinese Barbecue Pork (Char Siu), this recipe calls for Asian staples you might already have. BBQ it, pan fry, bake or broil/grill it. The smell when this is cooking is outrageous!
Try this with a side of Fried Rice and Asian Slaw, or Asian Mushroom Ramen Noodles!
If you’ve strolled through Chinese neighbourhoods, past Chinese BBQ shops with the bronzed, glistening ducks and Chinese Barbecue Pork hanging from hooks in the window dripping with sticky glaze, then the smell when this hits the hot pan will be familiar.
And even if you’re not familiar with that smell, you will just know, you will know that this is 100% lip smackingly delicious and a total crowd pleaser. 🙂
This Chinese Chicken is the chicken version of Chinese Barbecue Pork. The marinade is slightly adjusted to make it more suitable for chicken – mainly less sugar because there’s more surface area with chicken so I find the pork Char Siu marinade a bit too sweet and also easier to cook on the BBQ/stove without burning the marinade.
And I even added the tiniest drop of red food colouring to give it that warm reddish tinge that Chinese Barbecue Pork is so well known for. (Entirely 100000% utterly and completely optional 🙂 )
And speaking of optional – the skewers are totally optional too. I just used them to do something a bit different because it dawned on me that I had done the Thai Coconut Marinated Chicken recently that would look very similar once cooked. Plus, they are handy for turning the chicken. 🙂
The flavour of this chicken is classic Chinese – it has lovely depth of flavour, it’s sweet and savoury, and a hint of Chinese Five Spice Powder flavour that makes this distinctly Char Siu. This is terrific cooked in the oven or broiled/grilled, but hands down the best way is on the BBQ or stove. That caramelisation that you get on the surface is just gold. GOLD. – Nagi xx
PS If you make this, tell me in the comments below if you agree that the smell when this is cooking is outrageous!!!!
PPS If you haven’t made it yet but you want to, tell me in the comments below if you can tell just by looking at the photos that the smell when this is cooking is outrageous!!!!
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Chinese BBQ Chicken
Ingredients
Marinade:
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1 1/2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 2 tsp oyster sauce
- 1 ½ tbsp light soy sauce (or all purpose)
- 1/2 tsp Chinese five spice powder (Note 1)
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil (not critical)
- Few drops red food colouring , optional
Chicken:
- 750 g / 1.5lb chicken thigh fillets , skinless boneless (or breast)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 10 – 12 bamboo skewers , soaked in water for 1 hour (optional)
- Green onions / scallions , finely sliced, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Place Marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag or bowl and mix to combine.
- Add chicken and mix to coat. Marinade for 3 – 24 hours.
- Optional: Cut chicken into bite size or large pieces and thread onto skewers. Use 1 skewer for small pieces, 2 for large, like pictured in post.
- Heat half the oil in a heavy based skillet over medium high heat, or BBQ on medium (if using grill side, brush oil on bars).
- Remove chicken from marinade (RESERVE for basting) and place in the skillet – cook in 2 batches, don’t crowd the pan. Cook for 4 minutes then turn.
- Use the Marinade to baste the cooked side of the chicken. After 3 minutes, turn the chicken over so the basted side is now cooking again – cook for 1 minute.
- Baste the chicken, then turn again and cook for 45 sec – 1 min.
- Transfer chicken to a plate, cover loosely with foil and rest for 5 minutes.
- Serve, garnished with green onions / scallions if using!
Recipe Notes:
Grill/Broil: Preheat to medium high, then cook for 6 – 7 minutes on each side (watch carefully, will get dark brown spots and can burn easily due to sugar in marinade). 4. Nutrition per serving.
Nutrition Information:
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Chinese Chicken recipe video!
The ever popular Char Siu Chinese Barbecue Pork!
LIFE OF DOZER
When I feel sorry for him and let him on the couch, he certainly makes himself comfortable…..
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Hi Nagi – I made the pork version the other day – absolutely delicious. Is there a reason the marinade is cooked for the pork? is it because there’s more sugar? just curious. Will try this next!
I made this tonight in the Instant Pot. It was sooo good! I doubled the ingredients, added 1/4 cup of water and cooked frozen chicken for 28 minutes. Pulled the chicken out and added cornstarch and cold water mixture and put on saute to thicken sauce. It was amazing!!!! Hubby loved it and asked that it be added to my favorite recipes.
Glad you enjoyed this Stephanie!!! Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback! N x
We made it with a homemade Hoisin Sauce (https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/hoisin-sauce-substitute-52415261) and it was AMAZING! I am 13 years old and I cooked it completely by myself! 6 stars!
Fantastic to hear Trevor! Thanks for letting me know! N x ❤️
Left the thighs whole and dipped them back in the marinade every 15 mins, did them over water in the oven too, served it with sticky rice and chinese cabbage. It is now officially a beer night favourite.
Thank You for sharing Nagi, the hoisin makes a real difference to the usual all oyster.
If anyone wants a beer to go with it may I suggest Duvel Tripel, hoppy and crisp worked really well.
LOVE hearing that Peter!!! So glad you enjoyed it! N x
Hi Nag-
I just made this tonight- it is delicious! Your proportions of spices are perfect. And the smell while cooking is wonderful as you say. My wife and two boys all loved it. This will definitely be a redo for our family- as are several of your other recipes!
Thanks for all of your recipes and fun stories
-David
That’s terrific to hear David! So glad you enjoyed this, thank you for letting me know! N x
I just found your site and cannot wait to make so many of the recipes. I enjoy all cuisines.
Thank you Joanie! I do hope you try some – and love them! N x
What’s up,I read your blogs named “Chinese Chicken (Char Siu!) | RecipeTin Eats” regularly.Your story-telling style is witty, keep doing what you’re doing! And you can look our website about love spells.
I have just bought all the extra ingredients I needed and can’t wait to cook this for a change from a usual Sunday roast!! I just know it’s gonna be yummy 😊
Oooh…..I hope you love it! N xx
Wow, this is the simple but very healthy meal. I can’t wait to taste it. Just brilliabt recipe. Thanks for the awesome share. Keep posting like this way.
I’m so pleased you enjoyed it Dustin! N xx
Nag, I loved this recipe. I added some chili paste to it because my husband loves sweet and spicy dishes.
I marinated for 24 hours. It tastes like a dish you would get in a restaurant. Better ! Because it’s made with love. Thank you!!!
That’s so great to hear Anna! Thanks for sharing your feedback – N x
Hello there Miss Nagi!
I am going to make this re ipe for dinner this evening. I am going to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. I am not going to cut them up, but keep them whole and barbecue them. I promise to let you know what I think of them. Just husband and I. Probably serve them with rice. Again, as I said in past, I have not had any problems with any of your re pies. Also! The videos really, really help me.
Sincerely Bonnie
Nagi, I made this yesterday, wow, very, very good! My husband was happy with the recipe. Me too. I used all ingredients exactly in recipe. Glad I did. I keep my house pretty well stock since I don’t live near any grocery stores. Another slam dunk with another of your recipes. Your a great teacher and chef in my book.
I will be back!
p.s. My chicken looked just like yours in picture, and I cooked my chicken thighs outside grill. Oh, I love the pictures of your fur baby. He is adorable!
As Always, Sincerely, Bonnie
High praise!!! Thanks so much for the feedback Bonnie, so glad you enjoyed it! N xx
I use the same cut of chicken! I hope you love it Bonnie! N xx
Thanks for your fast reply Nagi,I will do that.your fried fish looks lovely as well will have to try it and the asparagus with it keep up your lovely recipes I so look forward to trying them.I hope you enjoyed your few days away .Rhonda.
Hi Nagi I was cooking this tonight for dinner but I have got as far as marinateing the chicken and I now have to go out tonight and tomorrow night will the chicken be ok marinating for that long or should I cook it tomorrow for the night after.
Thank you Rhonda
Hi Rhonda! I would pop it in the freezer then defrost on the counter on the day of cooking 🙂 But it’s not the end of the world if it stays in the marinade 2 days!
Dear Nagi, congratulations – another hit! I made this (no skewers, just boneless chicken thigh and breast chunks) for a lunch for 8 and it was a certainly a “crowd pleaser”, also popular with me the cook since it was so quick and easy to prepare! Thank you once again for sharing a delicious and simple recipe. Kind regards, Marg.
I’m so happy to hear that Marg! Thank you for taking the time to come back and let me know – N xx
If I triple the chicken thighs (4.5lbs.) do I also triple all the other ingredients for the marinade.
Yes! Use the recipe scaler by hovering over the Servings 🙂 N xx
Hi Nagi..from England!! Love your recipes..we’re having this on the bbq tonight. The other night I did the one pot chicken and rice, it was delicious!! Thank you so much for all this.
I hope you love it Linda! Stay safe – it is devastating to keep hearing such sad news from the UK 😭 N xx
Greetings from Ireland. Love love love your recipes. Quick tasty and easy.
Chinese chicken was delicious, thanks
WOO HOO! So pleased you enjoyed it Trudy! All the way from Sydney – Nagi xx
It has been quite a Nagi week.
The Chinese Chicken produced a fabulous aroma while it was cooking and tasted delicious when it was time to eat.
The Cinnamon Rolls were light and fluffy and the cream cheese topping was excellent.
The Tuna Pasta Bake certainly hit the spot on a cold day.
And what can we say about the Homemade Nutella ? Roasting the hazelnuts and then a few minutes in the Vitamix and wow!!!!
Best wishes to Dozer.
Lyn and David
Woah!!😂 I’m flattered, pleased you enjoyed them all and I wish I was your Neighbour!!! ❤️
Your BBQ Chicken is just the best as always. Another prize recipe to add to the collection. Thankyou Nagi.
Dozer is taking his resting time seriously I see. Hope the bandage is off soon – don’t lose his daisy!! 😀
It is disturbing how frequently I have to use it when I share a Dozer photo….
YESSS!!! So pleased to hear you enjoyed it Mary! N xx
Yum! Grilled this chicken up tonight on the BBQ. So freaking good! The sweetness of the five spice powder really shines through in this recipe.
Thanks again for another great recipe.
YES YES YES!!!!!!! N xx ❤️
Hope Dozer heals up fast… Gets back to “Pushing up Daisies!” Looking for 116 here for Father’s Day. (PHX) May have to grill these inside!!
116??????!!! YOWZER!!!