Sassy Chopsticks

  • Flavorful Asian-inspired Recipes
  • Recipes
  • Pantry
  • How-To
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Pantry
  • How-To
  • About
  • Subscribe

subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Pantry
  • How-To
  • About
  • Subscribe

×
Home » Recipes » Chicken

Chinese Roast Chicken Recipe (Simple and Delicious)

Published: Sep 11, 2023 by Yuan

255 shares
  • Facebook11
  • Flipboard
  • X
Jump to Recipe

A mouth-watering roast chicken Chinese recipe that will bring flavor and excitement to your dinner table. Chinese cuisine has a long, interesting history, and there are many variations of roast chicken. This particular recipe adds some delicious Asian flavor while still being quick and easy to prepare. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with this delicious version of roast chicken. Making Chinese-style roast chicken at home is a flavorful and satisfying experience. Here's a simple recipe to guide you through the process:

Chinese roast chicken recipe
Jump To
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-step cooking instructions
  • Pro tips to make the perfect roast chicken Chinese recipe
  • Serving suggestions
  • Variations of this recipe
  • Storing and reheating
  • Conclusion
  • Chinese Roast Chicken Recipe (Simple and Delicious)
  • YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Ingredients

A whole chicken: Mine was about 5 pounds. For roast chicken, you'll want to use a whole chicken suitable for roasting. The "broiler" or "roaster" chicken is the most commonly used for roast chicken recipes. Choose an organic chicken if you can! Organic chicken is raised without the use of antibiotics or synthetic hormones, and it just tastes better. It has always been my favorite type of chicken.

ingredients

Marinade: Cooking oil, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, five-spice powder, minced garlic, light brown sugar. These simple, flavorful ingredients are a must-have for Chinese roast chicken! 

Honey: Honey has a natural sweet flavor that can enhance the taste of the chicken. I combine honey with the marinade(see above)  to create a flavorful basting mixture. When honey is brushed onto the chicken and exposed to high heat, it caramelizes, creating a glossy glaze.

Salt and black pepper: to taste

Step-by-step cooking instructions

Rinse the chicken under cold running water and pat it dry with paper towels. Remove any excess fat from the cavity and the skin. Season the outside of the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Chinese roast chicken recipe steps

In a bowl, combine the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oil, five-spice powder, minced garlic, light brown sugar, and oyster sauce (optional). Mix well to create the marinade.

Use toothpicks to poke the chicken skin a few times. Season the outside of the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Brush the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it coats the chicken inside and out for at least 10-15 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator before roasting. Add the fresh ginger slices to inside chicken's cavity.

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the chicken from the marinade and let any excess marinade drip off. Place chicken on a roasting rack in a roasting pan or a baking sheet. Wrapping the chicken wing tips and leg with foil before baking prevents the wingtips from burning or becoming overly crispy during the baking process. You can also tie the legs with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under the body. (optional, I did not.)

roasted chicken from side

Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for about 3 hours or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F. Baste the chicken with the remaining marinade and honey every 20  minutes to keep it moist and flavorful. Brush honey only over the chicken during the last few minutes of roasting.

roasted chicken

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes before carving. Carve the roast chicken into serving pieces. Serve with steamed rice and your favorite side dish. Enjoy your homemade Chinese-style roast chicken!

Pro tips to make the perfect roast chicken Chinese recipe

Making the perfect Chinese-style roast chicken requires attention to detail and some pro tips to enhance the flavors and achieve the best results. Here are some tips to help you master your roast chicken Chinese recipe:

roasted chicken 2
  • Use a Rack: Roast the chicken on a roasting rack placed in a pan. Elevating the chicken helps the heat circulate evenly, resulting in crispy skin.
  • Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken (near the thigh). The chicken is ready when it reaches 165°F (74°C). Avoid overcooking, as it can dry out the meat.
  • Rest the Chicken: Allow the roast chicken to rest for 10 minutes before carving, resulting in a juicier chicken.
  • Perfect Roasting Time: Roast the chicken at a moderately high temperature, such as 350°F to 425°F, to ensure crispy skin and even cooking.
    By following these pro tips, you'll be well on your way to creating a perfect Chinese-style roast chicken with rich flavors, crispy skin, and succulent meat. Enjoy this delicious and comforting dish alongside your favorite Chinese sides for a satisfying meal!

Serving suggestions

Here are some serving suggestions to pair with your roast chicken Chinese recipe:

Steamed rice: The tender and flavorful chicken pairs perfectly with the simplicity of white rice.

Chinese greens stir-fry: Prepare a vibrant stir-fry of Chinese greens like bok choy and gai lan (Chinese broccoli). Stir-fry the greens for a nutritious and colorful side dish.

Sweet and sour sauce: Offer a side of sweet and sour sauce as a dipping option for the roast chicken. The tangy and slightly sweet sauce complements the savory flavors of the chicken.

Fried rice: If you have leftover rice, transform it into delicious fried rice by adding diced vegetables, scrambled eggs, and a touch of soy sauce. Serve the roast chicken alongside the fried rice.

Potstickers: Serve roast chicken with a side of potstickers or spring rolls for a satisfying combination.

By combining the roast chicken with a variety of sides and condiments, you can create a well-balanced Chinese-inspired feast!

Variations of this recipe

Chinese-style roast chicken offers plenty of room for creativity. Here are a couple of ideas for different variations of Chinese roast chicken:

Chinese roast chicken far view

Char siu chicken: Marinate the chicken in a homemade or store-bought char siu sauce. Char siu sauce typically contains ingredients like soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, five-spice powder, and a touch of rice vinegar and red food coloring. The resulting chicken will have a sweet, savory flavor with a beautiful red glaze.

Spicy Sichuan chicken: Add heat by incorporating Sichuan peppercorns, dried red chili peppers, and chili oil into the marinade. The result will be a spicy and numbing Sichuan-style roast chicken.

Feel free to mix and match these variations or create your marinades using a combination of traditional Chinese ingredients and your favorite flavors.

Storing and reheating

Here's how to store and reheat it properly to enjoy your leftovers again.

Storing: Allow this juicy chicken to cool to room temperature. Once it has cooled, store the roast chicken in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic or aluminum foil. Place the sealed container or wrapped chicken in the refrigerator. Chinese roast chicken can typically be safely stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Reheating: You can reheat the leftover Chinese roast chicken in the preheated oven for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through at  350°F. The microwave heat-up method works, too: heat the chicken in short bursts (about 30 seconds) at a time until it's warmed through. Check between bursts to ensure even heating.

Conclusion

With just a few simple ingredients and minimal effort, this Chinese roast chicken recipe can be the star of your next dinner party. Its perfect balance of bold Asian flavors and easy preparation make it an ideal choice for any occasion, such as Chinese New Year! Go ahead and give this recipe a try – you won’t regret it! Share your experience below, and let me know about your version of this dish!

Chinese roast chicken recipe

Chinese Roast Chicken Recipe (Simple and Delicious)

This mouth-watering Chinese roast chicken recipe adds some delicious Asian flavor while still being easy to prepare.
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours hours
Total Time: 3 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 554kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken mine was 5 pounds
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • ¼ cup light soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 4 slices fresh ginger slices
  • 1 tablespoon honey for brushing
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Rinse the chicken under cold running water and pat it dry with paper towels. Remove any excess fat from the cavity and the skin. Season the outside of the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  • In a bowl, combine the light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, oil, five-spice powder, minced garlic, light brown sugar, and oyster sauce (optional). Mix well to create the marinade.
  • Use toothpicks to poke the chicken skin a few times. Season the outside of the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Brush the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it coats the chicken inside and out for at least 10-15 minutes or overnight in the refrigerator before roasting. Add the fresh ginger slices to inside chicken's cavity.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Remove the chicken from the marinade and let any excess marinade drip off. Place chicken on a roasting rack in a roasting pan or a baking sheet. Wrapping the chicken wing tips and leg with foil before baking prevents the wingtips from burning or becoming overly crispy during the baking process. You can also tie the legs with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under the body. (optional, I did not.)
  • Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for about 3 hours or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F. Baste the chicken with the remaining marinade and honey every 20 minutes to keep it moist and flavorful.
  • Brush honey only over the chicken during the last few minutes of roasting.
  • Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes before carving.
  • Carve the roast chicken into serving pieces. Serve with steamed rice and your favorite side dish. Enjoy your homemade Chinese-style roast chicken!

Nutrition

Calories: 554kcal | Carbohydrates: 12.7g | Protein: 41.6g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 9.3g | Cholesterol: 150mg | Sodium: 594mg | Potassium: 72mg | Fiber: 7.1g | Sugar: 5.5g | Vitamin A: -1IU | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment below, and tag me @sassychopsticks9 or tag #sassychopsticks9 on Instagram!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

  • A bowl of black sticky rice pudding garnished with mango slices and sprinkled with coconut flakes.
    Easy Black Rice Pudding: A Hearty, Delicious Dessert
  • A colorful strawberry banana smoothie in a clear glass, showcasing a blend of strawberries and bananas on a cutting board.
    Healthy Strawberry Banana Smoothie Without Yogurt
  • Close-up of warm red bean soup in a pretty blue and white color bowl 252.
    Easy Red Bean Soup Instant Pot Recipe You Must Try
  • A plate of lemon white chocolate cookies.
    5-Ingredient Lemon White Chocolate Cookies With Cake Mix

Comments

  1. Liza says

    October 15, 2023 at 6:49 pm

    5 stars
    LOVE the flavors of this gorgeous roast chicken. It's easy to make and so, so delicious. One of my family's new favorites!

    Reply
  2. Holly says

    October 15, 2023 at 7:02 pm

    5 stars
    Thank you for the great recipe. I am always looking for new ways to make roast chicken (it's my favorite) and this recipe was awesome.

    Reply
  3. justine says

    October 15, 2023 at 7:32 pm

    5 stars
    Skin turned out so crispy with tons of flavor, great recipe.

    Reply
  4. Caroline says

    October 15, 2023 at 7:36 pm

    5 stars
    This chicken has such tasty flavors - and so easy, too!

    Reply
  5. Michelle says

    October 16, 2023 at 9:59 am

    5 stars
    The chicken turned out perfectly juicy and tender and the glaze was amazing!

    Reply
  6. LISA BARR says

    June 18, 2025 at 3:18 pm

    Want to verify that it cooks at 350 degrees for 3 hours, right???

    Reply
    • Yuan says

      June 18, 2025 at 3:36 pm

      Yes, 3 hours at 350°F works for a larger chicken (around 5–6 lbs), but it’s best to check that the internal temp reaches 165°F. Thanks.

      Reply
5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




me

Hey there! Welcome to SassyChopsticks.com!

I'm Yuan, a writer, world traveler, web developer, and photographer based in the U.S. My journey has taken me across multiple countries, from Malaysia to England, before I settled in Tennessee, where I've called home for nearly two decades.

More about me →

Popular

  • Tuna kimbap on a brown cutting board with a few spinach leaves on the side.
    Spicy Tuna Kimbap Rolls – Quick & Tasty Recipe
  • Colorful stir-fried kung pao chicken with vegetables in a glossy sauce, served on a plate with chopsticks on the side.
    Panda Express Kung Pao Chicken: Easy Copycat Recipe
  • Cantaloupe slices on a cutting board.
    How to Cut a Cantaloupe: Simple Step-by-Step Guide
  • Baking soda in a clear glass with a silver spoon resting inside, ready for use in cooking or baking.
    Top 6 Baking Soda Substitutes for Easy Baking

Trending recipes

  • rolls
    Chinese Egg Rolls
  • stir fry Taiwanese spinach
    Stir Fry Taiwanese Spinach with Garlic
  • Creamy coconut shrimp buffet style
    Creamy Coconut Shrimp Buffet Style- Quick and Easy
  • Chinese sponge cake
    Chinese Sponge Cake Recipe (Chiffon Cake)

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Newsletter

Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.