Air Fryer Char Siu Chicken

5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Char Siu Chicken brings all the sweet, savory, and smoky flavors of classic Chinese BBQ into an easy homemade recipe. The chicken turns juicy and flavorful inside while the air fryer creates beautifully caramelized edges on the outside.

Prep Time1

Cook Time15

Total Time1 15

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine: Asian, Chinese

Servings: portions

Calories: 683kcal

Author: Claudia

Ingredients

1 kg chicken thigh

Marinade

1 tbsp red yeast rice
1 tsp five spice powder
3 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp honey
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp pepper
3 tbsp white wine Chinese
1 tbsp red wine Chinese
1 tbsp sesame oil
4 garlic crushed

Instructions

In a bowl, combine red yeast powder, sugar, honey, soy sauce, pepper, Shaoxing wine, white cooking wine, sesame oil, and five spice powder (Images 1, 2). Add the crushed garlic and mix well (Image 3). Add a little red food coloring if you prefer a brighter color. Pour the marinade into a ziplock bag (Image 4).
Add the chicken thighs to the bag, seal tightly, and gently press the chicken so every piece is well coated with the char siu marinade (Images 5, 6). Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight for deeper flavor.
Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil. Place the marinated chicken in the basket and spray the top with oil (Image 7). Brush with honey or maltose mixed with a little marinade for a glossy, caramelized finish. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes (Image 8).
Flip the chicken, brush again (Images 9, 10), and air fry for another 5–6 minutes, or until cooked through. Let the char siu chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving with steamed rice (Images 11, 12).

Notes

Use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast – Chicken thighs stay juicier and more tender in the air fryer, while chicken breast can dry out more easily during roasting.
Marinate overnight for deeper flavor – While 1 hour works, overnight marination allows the chicken to absorb more of the sweet and savory char siu flavors.
Do not skip brushing with honey or maltose – Brushing the chicken during cooking helps create the glossy surface and delicious caramelized edges that make char siu so irresistible.
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket – Leave some space between the chicken pieces so the hot air can circulate properly and cook the chicken evenly.
Watch the last few minutes carefully – Because the marinade contains honey and sugar, the surface can caramelize quickly. Keep an eye on it near the end to prevent overly charred spots.
Let the chicken rest before slicing – Resting for about 5 minutes helps the juices redistribute so the meat stays moist and flavorful.
Boil and strain leftover marinade before using – If you want to drizzle the leftover char siu sauce over steamed rice or use it as a dipping sauce, bring it to a boil first and cook for a few minutes since it has been in contact with raw chicken. For a smoother sauce, strain it before serving to remove garlic bits and any small solids.

Nutrition