One of my favorite recipes for chicken leg quarters is Char Siu Chicken. The blend of sweet and savory flavors, along with the vibrant red color, makes it an absolute poultry delight.
INGREDIENTS
- 2.5 lbs Chicken Leg Quarters (4 pieces)
- 3 tbsp Hoisin Sauce
- 2 tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 tbsp Sesame Oil
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing Wine
- 1 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 2 tbsp Honey
- ½ tsp Chinese Five Spice
- 1 tsp Granulated Garlic
- ½ tsp White Pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Remove the chicken leg quarters from the package and pat them dry with a paper towel. Trim off any excess fat or skin and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, honey, Chinese five spice, granulated garlic, and white pepper. Whisk everything together until fully combined.
- Add the chicken quarters to the bowl and massage the sauce into the chicken, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
- Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours, ideally 24 hours for maximum flavor.
- Preheat your smoker to 325°F (163°C). Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting any excess sauce drip off.
- Place the chicken leg quarters on the smoker and cook for 30 minutes.
- After 30 minutes, brush the chicken with the remaining Char Siu sauce, then continue cooking.
- Once the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C), apply a second layer of sauce and continue cooking until the chicken’s internal temperature hits 190-200°F (88-93°C).
Notes:
- Serving size: 1 chicken leg quarter with sauce.
Nutrition (per serving):
- Calories: 583 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 44g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 237mg
- Sodium: 878mg
- Potassium: 550mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 12g
- Vitamin A: 190 IU
- Vitamin C: 1mg
- Calcium: 33mg
- Iron: 2mg
