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Easy Chicken Char Siu (on the stove)

written by Marvellina Updated: February 29, 2024
7.6K
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Chicken char siu is a pleasant twist to the traditional Chinese pork char siu (Chinese BBQ pork). It can be easily prepared on the stove and is perfect for a weeknight meal.

Easy Chicken Char Siu (on the stove)

If you love the traditional Chinese BBQ pork (pork char siu), you will absolutely love this easy chicken char siu that can be prepared on the stove.

Cut of chicken to use

I don’t recommend using lean cut such as chicken breast as it is too dry. Here are my recommendations, but feel free to use whatever cut you wish:
1. Boneless skinless chicken thighs
2. You can also use bone-in pieces such as chicken wings, chicken drumsticks, leg quarters. If you use whole pieces, grilling them on the stove is better

Easy Chicken Char Siu (on the stove)

How to make chicken char siu on the stove

1. Mix all the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl. Have a taste and see if you like the taste. Adjust to your preference. Pour into a large plastic bag. Put the chicken thigh into the bag, push all the air out and seal the bag. Move and gently squeeze the chicken pieces to make sure the marinade coat the chicken. Lay the bag flat on a plate. Alternatively, you can marinate them in a large shallow bowl and cover with a plastic wrap. Put them in the fridge to let them marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight is best if you have the time

2. Preheat a large non-stick pan. You can also use a grill pan if you want. Add 1 Tbsp of cooking oil

3. Place the chicken thigh pieces and let them cook for about 8-10 minutes to let it brown a little bit

4. Then flip over and cook another 6-8 minutes. Check if the chicken is cooked through. The juice should run clear (no longer bloody). Remove the chicken pieces from the stove

5. Pour the marinade into the pan and bring it to a simmer and cook until it’s bubbly and reduce and thicken slightly since it has sugar and honey in the marinade


6. Add the chicken pieces back in and toss them in the sauce to make sure they are nicely coated in the sweet and sticky sauce

7. Let them rest for 5 minutes before cutting into slices and serve
Easy Chicken Char Siu (on the stove)

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Easy Chicken Char Siu (on the stove)

Easy Chicken Char Siu (on the stove)

Easy Chicken Char Siu (on the stove)

Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Servings 4 servings
4.9 from 7 reviews
REVIEW & RATE PRINT

Ingredients

  • 750 gr boneless skinless chicken thigh
  • 1 Tbsp oil

Marinade:

  • 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
  • 4 Tbsp honey
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp five spice powder
  • 2 Tbsp light brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 Tbsp Shaoxing wine
  • 1 cube red fermented beancurd (nam yue) see notes
  • 1 Tbsp red yeast rice powder optional
  • ¼ tsp ground pepper

Instructions
 

Marinade the chicken thighs:

  • Mix all the ingredients for the marinade in a bowl. Have a taste and see if you like the taste. Adjust to your preference. Pour into a large plastic bag. Put the chicken thigh into the bag, push all the air out and seal the bag. Move and gently squeeze the chicken pieces to make sure the marinade coat the chicken. Lay the bag flat on a plate and put them in the fridge to let them marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight is best if you have the time

Cooking:

  • Preheat a large non-stick pan. You can also use a grill pan if you want. Add 1 Tbsp of cooking oil. Place the chicken thigh pieces and let them cook for about 8-10 minutes to let it brown a little bit and then flip over and cook another 6-8 minutes. Check if the chicken is cooked through. The juice should run clear (no longer bloody). Remove the chicken pieces from the stove
  • Pour the marinade into the pan and bring it to a simmer and cook until it's bubbly and reduce and thicken slightly since it has sugar and honey in the marinade. Add the chicken pieces back in and toss them in the sauce to make sure they are nicely coated in the sweet and sticky sauce

Serving:

  • Let them rest for 5 minutes before cutting into slices and serve

RECOMMEDED TOOLS

Non stick pan with lid

Marv's Recipe Notes

You may skip this if you don't have any but you need to compensate for the savory taste the red fermented bean curd provides. You can adjust by adding a bit more soy sauce

*Nutrition facts are just estimates and calculated using online tools*

Nutrition Facts
Easy Chicken Char Siu (on the stove)
Serving Size
 
1 serving
Amount per Serving
Calories
379
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
12
g
18
%
Saturated Fat
 
2
g
13
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Cholesterol
 
178
mg
59
%
Sodium
 
557
mg
24
%
Potassium
 
539
mg
15
%
Carbohydrates
 
30
g
10
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
26
g
29
%
Protein
 
37
g
74
%
Vitamin A
 
49
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
36
mg
4
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how you like this recipe and consider rating it! Tag me @whattocooktoday I'd love to see your photos/videos on Instagram
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2 comments

Beverly DH August 7, 2022 - 5:09 pm

Thank you so much for this recipe. I’ve made it twice with absolutely delicious results! The nam yue was new to me and I’ll be experimenting with it in other dishes.

Reply
Marvellina August 7, 2022 - 8:46 pm

Hello! I’m happy to know that you enjoyed it 🙂 Nam yue is not the most common ingredient for sure but if you can find it in Asian store, you might like it, it’s almost like miso paste in some way 🙂

Reply
4.86 from 7 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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