Authentic Cantonese Char Siu Air Fryer Chicken is a delicious fusion dish that combines the flavors of traditional Cantonese barbecue (Char Siu) with the convenience of modern air frying. The dish features tender chicken marinated in a savorysweet Char Siu sauce, then airfried to perfection, resulting in crispy skin and juicy, flavorful meat. It's a quick and easy way to enjoy a classic Chinese dish with a healthier twist, making it a favorite among home cooks looking for a tasty yet guiltfree meal option.

Ingredients:

1 whole chicken, opened up and cleaned
Salt
White pepper
Chicken bouillon powder
Sugar
Chinese fivespice powder
Soy sauce
Dark soy sauce
Sesame oil
Olive oil
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
1/2 tbsp cornstarch
For the glaze sauce:

1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
3 tsp char siu sauce
1 tsp hoisin sauce
Olive oil
Cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water)
Instructions:

Prepare the chicken by opening it up with a knife, washing it thoroughly, and cleaning out any excess fat or giblets.

In a bowl, combine salt, white pepper, chicken bouillon powder, sugar, and Chinese fivespice powder. Mix well.

Drizzle soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, and olive oil over the chicken. Add hoisin sauce and cornstarch. Rub the marinade into the chicken, making sure it's evenly coated. Let it marinate in the fridge for 36 hours.

Preheat the air fryer to 180 degrees Celsius (356 degrees Fahrenheit).

Place the marinated chicken in the air fryer basket, making sure it's in a single layer and not overcrowded. Air fry the chicken for about 20 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through.

While the chicken is air frying, prepare the glaze sauce. In a pan, heat water and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Add char siu sauce, hoisin sauce, and a drizzle of olive oil. Stir well.

Add the cornstarch slurry to the glaze sauce to thicken it. Stir constantly until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Set aside.

After 40 minutes of air frying, remove the chicken from the air fryer. Brush both sides of the chicken with the glaze sauce.

Place the glazed chicken back in the air fryer and air fry for another 2 minutes on each side to caramelize the glaze.

Remove the chicken from the air fryer, let it rest for a few minutes, then chop it into desired pieces.

Serve the Authentic Cantonese Char Siu Air Fryer Chicken hot, garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired. Enjoy!