Juicy chicken thighs are coated in a sweet and savory char siu glaze with sticky, slightly charred edges. This easy air fryer char siu chicken recipe is ready in just 30 minutes, with the high heat caramelizing the glaze while the skin helps keep the chicken juicy.
Jump to:
Char siu, which means "fork roast" in Chinese, is a popular Cantonese barbecue dish from Guangdong, China, traditionally made with pork. Although char siu usually refers to the pork version, my char siu chicken uses chicken marinated and glazed in the same style of sweet, savory red sauce, with red fermented bean curd giving it its natural red color.
The homemade char siu sauce is my mother's recipe, and I love using it with chicken thighs for an easy meal-prep protein. I usually serve the chicken with steamed rice or noodles and leafy greens for lunch or dinner.
I found that brushing the chicken with a separate honey and hoisin basting sauce before air frying helps it develop a thicker, stickier glaze as it cooks.
Ingredients & Substitutes
Exact ingredient amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Skin-on Bone-in Chicken Thighs: I prefer chicken thighs because they stay juicy during high-heat air frying. If available, use boneless skin-on chicken thighs to save prep time and skip the deboning step. Avoid boneless skinless thighs or chicken breast, as they can dry out more easily without the protective skin.
Chicken Marinade
- Red Fermented Bean Curd: The key ingredient that gives char siu its natural red color and distinctive fermented savory flavor. Find it at Asian grocery stores or online. Don't substitute with red food coloring because it won't provide the same flavor.
- Hoisin Sauce: A thick, sweet and savory Chinese sauce that gives the marinade concentrated flavor and helps create the sticky glaze.
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens the marinade and helps the exterior caramelize during air frying. I prefer using light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar also works.
- Regular Soy Sauce: Adds savory saltiness that balances the sweetness of the marinade. Light soy sauce or low-sodium soy sauce also works. Avoid substituting with dark soy sauce as it's too thick and dark for this recipe.
- Honey: Helps give the char siu its glossy, sticky finish. Light corn syrup also works.
- Shaoxing Wine: Adds a savory, slightly sweet depth to the marinade. Dry sherry also works. For a non-alcoholic version, use low-sodium chicken broth.
- Chinese Five Spice Powder: Gives char siu its characteristic warm, aromatic flavor. Don't substitute with allspice, which has a different flavor profile.
Basting Sauce
- Honey
- Hoisin Sauce
- Red Fermented Bean Curd
Note: Asian ingredients are typically available at most Asian grocery stores or online.
Expert Tips
- Use skin-on chicken thighs. The skin protects the meat from the high heat, helping it stay juicy.
- Pat the chicken dry. Removing excess surface moisture helps the marinade cling better to the chicken.
- Marinate longer for more flavor. 15 minutes works, but overnight gives the marinade more time to flavor the chicken.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Leave space between the thighs so hot air can circulate and caramelize the glaze evenly.
- Don't flip the chicken. Keeping it skin-side up allows the sugary glaze to caramelize without sticking to the basket.
- Let the edges char slightly. A little charring adds the characteristic caramelized flavor of char siu.
Instructions
Below are step-by-step instructions on how to make air fryer char siu chicken:
- Make the marinade: In a large bowl, combine all the chicken marinade ingredients. Use a fork to mash the red fermented bean curd until mostly smooth. Set aside.
- Prepare and marinate the chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Debone each thigh by making small cuts around the bone with a sharp knife until it can be removed, keeping the skin intact. Add the chicken to the marinade and coat well. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or overnight for deeper flavor.
- Make the basting sauce: In a small bowl, combine the honey, hoisin sauce, and red fermented bean curd. Mash the bean curd with a fork until mostly smooth. Set aside.
- Prepare the air fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the marinated chicken skin-side up in a single layer without overlapping, working in batches if needed. Brush the skin generously with the basting sauce.
- Air fry the chicken: Air fry at 375°F for 9-10 minutes without flipping, until the glaze is caramelized with slightly charred edges and the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F with an instant-read thermometer.
- Rest and slice: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftover char siu chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Let the chicken cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe bag in a single layer for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen chicken overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat refrigerated chicken in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-6 minutes until hot, or microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Pairing Suggestions
Serve air fryer char siu chicken with:
- Steamed Rice: A simple side for the sweet and savory chicken.
- Garlic Bok Choy: A light vegetable side that complements the rich glaze.
- Egg Drop Soup: A light starter to round out the meal.
FAQ
No. I don't preheat the air fryer for this recipe. Add the chicken to the air fryer basket and cook it at 375°F as directed.
I don't recommend leaving it out. Red fermented bean curd gives the marinade its distinctive savory flavor and natural red color, so omitting it will noticeably change the flavor and appearance of the chicken.
Don't reuse any marinade or basting sauce that has come into contact with raw chicken unless you boil it thoroughly first. Otherwise, discard it to avoid cross-contamination.
More Like This
Check out my other chicken recipes:
📖 Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Char Siu Chicken (30 Minutes)
Ingredients
- 1 lb skin-on bone-in chicken thighs
Chicken Marinade
- ⅓ cup red fermented bean curd
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup regular soy sauce or light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice
Basting Sauce
- 1.5 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon red fermented bean curd
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all the chicken marinade ingredients. Use a fork to mash the red fermented bean curd until mostly smooth. Set aside.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Debone each thigh by making small cuts around the bone with a sharp knife until it can be removed, keeping the skin intact. Add the chicken to the marinade and coat well. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or overnight for deeper flavor.
- In a small bowl, combine the basting sauce ingredients. Mash the bean curd with a fork until mostly smooth. Set aside.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the marinated chicken skin-side up in a single layer without overlapping, working in batches if needed. Brush the skin generously with the basting sauce.
- Air fry at 375°F for 9-10 minutes without flipping, until the glaze is caramelized with slightly charred edges and the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F with an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.
Nanajee Travels
These air fryer char siu chicken thighs look amazing! 🍗 Tender, juicy, and coated in a sticky barbecue glaze, this dish is a breeze to make in just 30 minutes. Perfect for a family meal, and the baking method is a great option if you don't have an air fryer. So flavorful and easy to prepare! 😋
Christie Lai
Thank you so much for making my recipe and so glad your family liked it!
Lisa
Wow, this was delicious. The family said it was as good as eating in Chinatown. Your recipes are always hits!
Christie Lai
I am so pleased to read this! Truly. Thank you so much for making so many of my recipes, Lisa! I appreciate the kind support 🙂
eliza gunawan
i Just cooked my dinner with this recipe
taste good 👍👍
thank you for share this simple recipe for a good menu
christieathome
Thank you so much for making my recipe and for sharing this kind review Eliza! So happy you enjoyed it 🙂
Billie
Wow this was incredibly tasty and packed with flavor even though I only marinated for 15 minutes! Thank you. 5 stars is not enough!
christieathome
Thanks so much Billie for your kind comment! I'm so pleased to read this!