Air Fryer Char Siu Chicken. Tender juicy chicken thighs air fried in the best and most delicious barbecue sticky glaze! Ready in 30 minutes! If you don't own an air fryer, I share how to bake this dish in the oven in the recipe card below.
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What is Char Siu Chicken?
"Char Siu" (aka "Cha Siu") in Chinese means "fork roast" in English and it's a BBQ pork dish that originates from Guangdong, China. It's a popular pork dish in Cantonese cuisine. In Chinese culture, the words "char siu" is usually in reference to the Chinese BBQ pork version. Char Siu Chicken is simply the chicken version. Both are marinated and glazed in the same sweet, sticky, savory red sauce made of red fermented bean curd and a soy sauce honey mixture. Then roasted at high temperatures in the oven or air fryer.
This delicious main dish can be served over steamed rice, noodles with leafy greens like cabbage. I love this quick easy recipe for chicken and I make it all the time. The sauce is actually my mother's recipe that I am sharing with you! I love to serve this Chinese BBQ chicken with white rice and vegetables.
Ingredients
Please scroll down to the below Recipe card for full measurements:
Note: Most Asian grocery stores will carry these ingredients. You may find some at your select grocery store or online, like on Amazon.
- Chicken thighs with skin: I prefer using chicken thighs for this recipe for a higher fat content, so you'll have juicy chicken. You can also substitute with boneless skinless chicken thighs but please reduce the cooking time to 6-8 minutes. I also share how to air fry other cuts of chicken in the recipe card below.
Marinade & Basting Ingredients:
- Red fermented bean curd: This offers that natural red color. My version is made without red food coloring. Most Asian grocery stores or select online retailers, like Amazon, will carry this ingredient.
- Hoisin sauce: This adds a caramelized sweetness to our sauce. It's often used in Chinese cooking, think of it like a Chinese BBQ sauce. Do not confuse this sauce with Oyster sauce despite the similar texture and color. Oyster sauce is saltier and not sweet.
- Brown sugar: The brown sugar gives the meat that sugary sweet taste and helps the skin become charred.
- Regular soy sauce: or substitute with low sodium soy sauce or light soy sauce. If you’re gluten-free, substitute with tamari sauce, coconut aminos or a gluten-free soy sauce of your choice. Avoid using dark soy sauce.
- Honey: The honey is another helpful sweetener which helps the crispy skin char.
- Shaoxing wine or dry sherry wine: A wonderful cooking wine often used in Chinese cuisine. If you can't find this ingredient, replace with any broth of your choice.
- Chinese five spice: This spice is fragrant and is commonly made with cinnamon, fennel seeds, star anise, and cloves. The fifth spice usually varies between white pepper, ginger or Sichuan peppercorns. Popularly used in Chinese roast meats.
Basting Sauce:
- Honey
- Hoisin
- Red fermented bean curd
How to make Air Fryer Char Siu Chicken
Create Chicken Marinade
In a large bowl, combine marinade ingredients. Use a fork to help you smash the fermented red bean curd. Set aside.
Marinate Chicken
Pat dry chicken thighs with clean paper towels. Debone chicken thighs leaving skin on. Transfer thighs to a large bowl or into a Ziplock bag. Pour marinade over thighs. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap or seal your ziplock bag ensuring any air is squeezed out. Marinate for at least 15 minutes in the fridge. For the best result, marinate overnight.
Create Basting Sauce
In a separate small bowl, combine basting sauce ingredients. Set aside.
Place Chicken in Air Fryer
Spray air fryer basket with cooking oil or cooking spray. Place marinated chicken skin side up in a single layer in air fryer basket. Do not overlap. You may need to air fry in batches. Brush basting sauce on top of the chicken skin.
Air Fry Chicken
Air fry for 9-10 minutes in total at 375 degrees F. No flipping needed. Cook until an internal temperature of 165F or juices run clear.
Remove Chicken From Air Fryer
The chicken should come out looking a bit charred on the edges.
Slice Chicken
Remove from air fryer, slice into pieces and enjoy!
Storage & Reheating
This air fryer char siu chicken will last up to 4 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
To reheat, air fry again at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes until warm throughout or microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Expert Tips
- For best results, marinate the chicken overnight.
- Don't overload the air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, place the chicken thighs in a single layer giving each piece enough space.
- Use a digital cooking thermometer to know when chicken is done cooking.
- Allow the skin to char just a bit. This gives the chicken additional flavor.
FAQ
Can I bake this instead of using the air fryer method?
Yes! Preheat oven to 425 F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking sheet with aluminum foil, parchment paper or lightly grease baking sheet with oil. Place chicken skin side up on top and baste with basting sauce. Bake for 20-23 minutes on the middle wire rack. Until you reach an internal temperature of 165F, or juices run clear. The skin should be slightly charred.
Can I substitute the fermented red bean curd with red food colouring?
Yes! But only add just enough to see a shade of red and do not replace with the full amount.
Can I use the leftover marinade for other dishes?
Yes, feel free to use it as a marinade for other meats. You can also boil and simmer the marinade over high heat until it bubbles and use as a finishing sauce.
Are there other ways I can enjoy this meat?
Yes, there are a few other ways to enjoy these delicious, marinated chicken thighs:
- Fried rice
- Soup Noodles
- Noodle stir fry
- Bao Buns
Other Chicken recipes you may like!
- Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken
- Maple Soy Glazed Chicken
- Soy Hoisin Chicken Thighs
- Chicken Adobo
- Mongolian Chicken
- Lemongrass Chicken
📖 Recipe
Quick & Easy Air Fryer Char Siu Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs with skin on
Marinade:
- ⅓ cup red fermented bean curd
- ¼ cup hoisin sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup regular soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or sub with Dry Sherry wine, or any broth of choice for non-alcoholic version
- 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 Marinade ingredients as listed above. Use a fork to help you dissolve the fermented red bean curd. Set aside.
- In a separate small bowl, combine Basting Sauce ingredients as listed above. Set aside.
- Pat dry chicken thighs with clean paper towels. Debone chicken thighs leaving skin on. Transfer to a large bowl or resealable bag.
- Pour marinade over chicken thighs. Marinate for at least 15 minutes in the fridge. For the best result, marinate overnight.
- Place marinated chicken skin side up in a single layer in air fryer basket. Do not overlap. You may need to air fry in batches. Brush basting sauce on top of chicken skin. Tip: For easy cleanup, line the base of the basket with parchment paper but ensure the paper does not touch the heating element to avoid any burning or possible fires. If you don't have parchment paper, you can use aluminum foil.If you don't own an air fryer, I share baking instructions below in the Notes section.
- Air fry for 9-10 minutes in total at 375 degrees F until an internal temperature of 165F or until juices run clear (no flipping needed). There should be slight char marks. Note: Depending on the size of your chicken thighs and air fryer model, the cooking time can range so check your chicken at around the 9 minute mark. Mine was done at 9 minutes. If you like less charring, reduce air frying time.
- Remove chicken from air fryer to slice and enjoy!
Notes
To Bake
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with oil. Place chicken skin side up on top and baste with basting sauce. Bake for 20 minutes. Until you reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F or juices run clear.Air Frying Instructions for Other Cuts of Chicken
- Skinless boneless chicken breast: preheat air fryer at 375 F. Air fry chicken breast for 6 minutes, flip over and air fry on the other side between 3-8 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 155-160 F and remove chicken from air fryer so that the residual heat can continue to cook it through. Chicken is safe to eat at 165 degrees F, but I prefer to remove my chicken from the air fryer at a slightly lower temperature so the residual heat to finish it off.
- Chicken wings: Air fry for 8 minutes at 400 degrees F on one side. Flip the wings over and air fry for 4-5 minutes on the other side. Cook until an internal temperature is 165 F or until juices run clear and meat is cooked through. If not cooked through, air fry for another minute.
- Chicken drumsticks: Air fry on one side at 375 F for 9-10 minutes and flip over and air fry for another 9-10 minutes.
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!
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 🙂