Description
Succulent Chinese char siu chicken sizzles with bold marinade flavors, bringing authentic Asian street food straight to your grill. Caramelized edges and juicy meat invite you to savor this irresistible culinary journey through traditional Cantonese cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 4 chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) chicken stock
Marinade Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) rice wine
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) chinese five-spice powder
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sesame oil
Garnish and Finishing:
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) sesame seeds
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice wine, honey, five-spice powder, minced garlic, and sesame oil in a large mixing bowl to create a vibrant, aromatic marinade.
- Submerge chicken thighs completely in the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat, around 400°F, preparing for direct and indirect cooking zones.
- Remove chicken from marinade, reserving the liquid for basting. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to promote optimal grill caramelization.
- Place chicken on the hot grill, starting skin-side down. Grill for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy, then flip and continue cooking over indirect heat.
- Brush reserved marinade onto chicken during grilling, creating layers of glossy, rich flavor. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F, approximately 15-18 minutes total.
- Let grilled chicken rest for 5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and ensure maximum tenderness.
- Sprinkle chopped green onions and sesame seeds over the chicken for fresh, nutty garnish.
- Serve hot with lime wedges on the side, offering a bright, citrusy complement to the rich, savory char siu chicken.
Notes
- Ensure chicken thighs are at room temperature before grilling to promote even cooking and prevent tough, dry meat.
- Pat chicken completely dry with paper towels to achieve crispy, caramelized exterior that locks in juicy flavors.
- Adjust grill heat carefully to prevent burning, using indirect heat method helps maintain tender, succulent chicken texture.
- Consider alternative protein options like tofu or tempeh for vegetarian version, maintaining similar marinade and grilling technique.
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg