This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my privacy policy.
This easy air fryer char siu chicken is juicy, glossy, and packed with that sweet and savory Cantonese BBQ flavor. Made with my homemade char siu sauce, it’s tender, caramelized, and so easy to make.
Air Fryer Chinese BBQ Chicken
This air fryer Chinese BBQ chicken actually came about right after I made my Char Siu Sauce. I had some leftover sauce and a few chicken thighs in the fridge, which turned out to be the perfect combo for a quick and easy dinner. So I marinated the chicken, let it sit for a bit, and popped it in the air fryer. The chicken turned perfectly caramelized and tender, just like Chinese BBQ Pork but lighter, easier, and made right in your air fryer.
If you’ve already made my char siu sauce, this recipe is basically a great chicken hack for easy dinners. It’s quick, flavorful, and proof that you don’t need a grill or oven to get that signature BBQ taste at home. And if you don’t have an air fryer, don’t worry, I also have an oven-baked version you can try my Char Siu Chicken. Pair it with steamed rice, noodles, or even tuck it into bao buns for a meal that’s comforting, satisfying, and packed with flavor.
Add This To Your Easy Meal Ideas
- Juicy, flavorful chicken. Boneless thighs stay tender inside while the outside caramelizes into that glossy, sweet, and savory finish you love from good Chinese BBQ.
- Just a few ingredients. All you need is chicken and my homemade char siu sauce, with a quick 30-minute marinade to soak up all that flavor.
- Air fryer convenience. No grill, no oven, no mess. The air fryer gives you perfectly charred edges and that BBQ-style glaze in under 15 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken thighs
- Char Siu Sauce
You can find all the ingredient details in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Pro Tip #1: Why I Use Boneless Chicken Thighs
I like using boneless chicken thighs because they stay juicy and flavorful even after air frying. The slight fat in the meat helps the sauce caramelize beautifully, giving you that perfect balance of tender inside and lightly charred edges outside. Plus, you have the chicken skin, which crisps up during the cooking process, making the chicken extra delicious! Bone-in chicken works too, but the marinade takes longer to soak in. And while chicken breast is an option, it doesn’t have skin or enough fat to give you that same juicy, glossy finish.
Pro Tip #2: Use My Homemade Char Siu Sauce
This recipe really shines when you use my homemade Char Siu Sauce. It’s sweet, savory, and full of umami flavor from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and five-spice. Plus, making it yourself lets you control how rich or sticky you want it to be.
Extra Tip: How To Debone Chicken Thighs Easily
If you only have bone-in chicken, don’t worry. Deboning them at home is simple and totally worth it for this recipe. Check out my step-by-step guide on How to Debone Chicken Thighs. It only takes a few minutes and helps the chicken cook evenly and soak up all that delicious marinade.
How To Make Air Fryer Char Siu Chicken
Place the chicken in a bowl, pour in about ⅓ cup of Char Siu Sauce, and mix it well so every piece is evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes so the flavors can soak in.
Pro Tip: If you’ve got the time, let the chicken marinate a little longer. The extra time helps the flavors soak in deeper, making the meat even more flavorful and tender.
Place the chicken in the air fryer basket skin side down, making sure they’re in a single layer so they cook evenly. Spoon some of the leftover marinade on top, then air fry at 190°C (375°F) for about 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, flip the chicken over and brush on the rest of the marinade. Air fry again at 190°C (375°F) for another 4 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and has those slightly charred, caramelized edges.
Pro Tip: If you want to turn the sauce into a glossy glaze, warm the char siu sauce in a small saucepan over low heat until it thickens slightly. You can use it later to drizzle over the chicken for that extra shiny, caramelized finish.
Once it’s done, sprinkle some sesame seeds on top and serve it with a bowl of steamed white rice. Simple, comforting, and so good every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can, but I highly recommend making my homemade char siu sauce instead. It’s fresher, has no additives, and gives you that real-deal sweet and savory BBQ flavor that bottled sauces just can’t match.
Since the has honey, it can brown quickly. The key is not to overload the sauce at the start. Brush or spoon half of it before air frying, then add the rest after flipping. If you notice it getting too dark, lower the temperature slightly or line the basket with foil to prevent burning.
Yes. Just marinate the chicken and freeze it raw in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to cook, thaw it overnight in the fridge and air fry as usual. It’s great for easy, make-ahead dinners.
Let the chicken cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through to bring back that fresh-off-the-grill taste.
This recipe is 382 calories per serving.
What To Serve With This Chicken Char Siu
For an easy and wholesome Chinese weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes:
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Air Fryer Recipes You Might Like
Air Fryer Char Siu Chicken
Ingredients
- 10.6 oz boneless chicken thighs, skin on or skinless
- ⅓ cup Char Siu Sauce
- sesame seeds, for garnishing
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken in ⅓ cup of Char Siu Sauce for at least 30 minutes.
- Place the chicken skin side down in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spoon over half of the leftover marinade and air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 10 minutes.
- Flip the chicken, spoon over the remaining marinade, and air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 4 minutes or until cooked through and slightly charred.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and serve with steamed white rice.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Delicious, and for once made with no substitutions because this is a GERD friendly recipe. (I admit the five spice powder from way back in the cabinet was pretty far out of date, probably bought by my late husband who thought Asian sauces and seasonings never went bad.) I’d like to make it with tofu for my vegetarian family, is there a good substitute for oyster sauce?
So glad you enjoyed it! For a vegetarian version, you can use vegetarian stir-fry sauce or mushroom stir-fry sauce instead of oyster sauce. They give a similar rich, savory flavor.
Ok
Hi Jonathan, thanks for trying my recipe! :)