Air Fryer Char Siu Chicken
Char Siu is one of my favorite dishes to make, and while it’s traditionally made with pork, this version swaps in chicken thighs for a quicker and perhaps slightly healthier twist. It’s an adaptation of my classic char siu pork recipe, but instead of roasting in the oven, we’re using the air fryer to keep
- Prep time
- 1 hr
- Cook time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 3 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 3 lb Skin-On Chicken Thighs
- 1/2 tsp Five Spice Powder
- 1/2 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 tbsp Hoisin Sauce
- 4 tbsp Honey
- 2 cubes Red Fermented Bean Curd
- 2 tbsp Red Fermented Bean Curd Sauce
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing Wine
- 1/4 tsp White Pepper
- 1 tbsp Oil
- 2 tbsp Water
- 2 tbsp Honey
- Green Onion
- Sesame Seeds
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Chicken Thighs:
- 2
Use skin-on chicken thighs for the best flavor and texture. Debone each thigh, trim excess fat, and feather the thicker parts so they cook evenly
- 3
Make the Marinade:
- 4
In a bowl, mix the red fermented bean curd (plus some of its liquid), five-spice powder, garlic powder, soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, sugar, Shaoxing wine, white pepper, and a small amount of oil until smooth. Add the chicken and coat thoroughly. Marinate overnight for the best flavor, or at least 1 hour if short on time
- 5
Air Fry the Chicken:
- 6
Preheat air fryer to 375F. Place the thighs skin-side up in a single layer and air fry for 10-12 minutes, depending on the thickness. Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165FThen brush on a glaze of honey and water to create a glossy, caramelized finish, and cook for another 1-2 minutes
- 7
Serve:
- 8
Let the chicken rest, then slice it into thick pieces. Serve with steamed rice and vegetables, and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds for a quick, flavorful meal. Enjoy!