EASY Air Fryer Char Siu Chicken – Chinese BBQ Chicken 🍗 | Delicious and Simple Recipe

Char Siu Chicken, or Chinese BBQ chicken, is a flavorful, tender, and juicy dish that is a favorite at Chinese restaurants. While it’s often cooked in a traditional oven or on a grill, the Air Fryer makes this dish even easier and quicker to prepare. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make EASY Air Fryer Char Siu Chicken that’s just as delicious as the restaurant version, but with less mess and time.

Why Char Siu Chicken?

Char Siu (叉烧) is a popular Cantonese dish where pork or chicken is marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, then roasted until it’s beautifully caramelized. The marinade gives the chicken its signature deep red color and mouthwatering flavor. Traditionally, it’s cooked in a wood-fired oven, but the air fryer can produce just as much of that crispy, juicy texture in a fraction of the time!

This recipe uses chicken breasts or thighs, but you can use whichever part of the chicken you prefer. The air fryer ensures the chicken remains tender on the inside while achieving that perfect caramelized finish on the outside. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep!

Ingredients:

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
2 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 tbsp sesame oil
1/4 tsp red food coloring (optional, for the classic Char Siu red color)
1 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for a thicker glaze)

Instructions:

Prepare the Marinade:
- In a bowl, mix together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, rice wine (or dry sherry), five-spice powder, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil. If you’d like the traditional red color, add a few drops of red food coloring to the mixture.
Marinate the Chicken:
- Place your chicken breasts or thighs into a resealable plastic bag or shallow dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor).
Preheat the Air Fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
Cook the Chicken:
- Remove the chicken from the marinade (reserve the marinade for glazing) and place it in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray or brush it with a little oil.
- Air fry the chicken at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and have a golden, crispy exterior.
Glaze the Chicken:
- While the chicken is cooking, pour the reserved marinade into a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer over medium heat. If you’d like a thicker glaze, stir in cornstarch and cook until it’s slightly thickened.
- Once the chicken is cooked, brush the glaze over the chicken to give it a shiny, sweet finish.
Serve:
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or a side of your choice.

Tips for the Perfect Char Siu Chicken:

Marinating Time: The longer you let the chicken marinate, the more flavor it will absorb. Aim for at least 30 minutes, but if you have time, marinate overnight for maximum flavor.
Adjust the Spice: Chinese five-spice powder can be strong for some people. If you prefer a more subtle flavor, reduce the amount to 1/2 teaspoon.
Check for Doneness: Every air fryer is different, so be sure to check the internal temperature of your chicken to make sure it’s fully cooked. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Make it Crispy: For extra crispy skin, brush the chicken with a little oil before air frying, and don’t skip the flipping step.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Quick & Easy: The air fryer cooks the chicken quickly while giving it a perfectly caramelized and crispy exterior.
Healthy Option: Air frying uses less oil than traditional frying methods, making it a healthier choice.
Delicious: The marinade is a sweet and savory combination of hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, and five-spice powder, which infuses the chicken with incredible flavor.
Versatile: Serve with rice, noodles, or vegetables, or even slice it up for sandwiches or wraps!

Final Thoughts:

Air fryer Char Siu Chicken is the perfect way to enjoy this classic Chinese BBQ dish at home without all the hassle. It’s a flavorful, juicy, and crispy meal that’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner and impressive enough for guests. With minimal ingredients and effort, you can make a dish that tastes like it’s from your favorite Chinese restaurant.

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#CharSiuChicken #ChineseBBQChicken #AirFryerRecipes #EasyDinner #MealPrep #HealthyRecipes #AsianCuisine #QuickMeals #FoodLovers #CookingAtHome

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