CHAR SIU CHICKEN (WHOLE)

[gary s]

Char Siu Chicken (Whole)

It’s been several weeks since I’ve done any Char Siu. I had a chicken that has been thawing in the fridge, so I thought   “Why Not”.

(My First Whole Char Siu Chicken)

Mixed up my Marinade –

The marinade

1/2 cup hoisin sauce

1/4 cup brandy (or rum or bourbon)

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

4 tablespoons Sriracha

2 tablespoons powdered ginger

2 tablespoons powdered onion

1 tablespoon powdered garlic

1/4 tablespoon five spice powder

1 teaspoon red food coloring

1 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Put all ingredients into a sauce pan, stir and warm till everything is completely mixed.

I used a 2 gallon Zip Lock Bag sitting in a metal bowel (can’t be too careful sure don’t want to clean up a char siu mess). Placed the whole chicken in the bag and poured the marinade in. Squeezed out all the air, closed it up and in the fridge till tonight, so the flavor really has a chance to soak in.

I use about 2/3rds of the Marinade and save the rest for the finishing glaze.

NOTE:  To cool down the marinade I added about 10 ice cubes.

Cooked chicken at 300° for an hour and a half on my grill. (Still limited to what I can do with one hand)

The Verdict ---- It was good, not great for me. My wife said it was just right.

It didn’t think the penetration was enough. (8 hours in the marinade) This was the first time doing a whole chicken. Probably overnight or in a vacuum tumbler or canister would be great.  I should have halved the chicken, or leg quarters or thighs would have been better,

Flavor was great, just not enough of it.

Trusty Chicken Holder

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• gary s
• Jun 18, 2016

Chicken after 8 hours in marinade

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• gary s
• Jun 18, 2016

About an hour in

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• gary s
• Jun 18, 2016

After 1.5 hours

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• gary s
• Jun 18, 2016

Sorry  no plated pics,  doing this one handed

On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the best I would give it a 7

 

[b-one]

Looks pretty tasty!:drool I haven't read what's up with your other hand?

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Looks like a tasty bird Gary, nice smoke ! Thumbs Up

 

[lovethemeats]

That bird looks good. Making me hungry for some.

 

[chef jimmyj]

Looks good from here. I have not tried a whole bird but boneless thighs come out great. From my experience, marinade needs a couple days. I tumble 2-3 hours. If you really want through and through, Inject. The Grill Beast Injector has been in my arsenal since November and has more than paid for itself...JJ

 

[lovethemeats]

Following what JJ said. I'm a big fan of injecting meats. Have never brined a bird for the smoker. Mine always come out juicy enough. If i want crispy skin then i follow it up in the oven for a few. But I'm not much of a skin person. Other people in my house are. Never had complaints. But then who does when its free.

 

[SmokinAl]

That bird sure looks good Gary!

Nice job!

Al

 

[gary s]

Looks pretty tasty!

I haven't read what's up with your other hand?

Thanks      I had to have bone spurs removed from my thumb joint. Start rehab next week

Gary

 

[Bearcarver]

Wow!!

Easily the Best One handed smoker in Texas!!

Looks Great Gary!

------------

My Appearance scale says it's a "10".

Bear

 

[gary s]

 
Wow!!

Easily the Best One handed smoker in Texas!!

Looks Great Gary!

------------

My Appearance scale says it's a "10".

Bear

Thanks Buddy,  I'll be glad when I'm back being a two handed smoker.  Though I may have to have another surgery to fix my pointer finger 

Gary

 

[chef jimmyj]

 
Thanks      I had to have bone spurs removed from my thumb joint. Start rehab next week

Gary

REHAB FOR YOUR THUMB AND HAND!?! I shutter to think the " Home " exercises they may suggest you do in a Private setting...

...JJ

 

[bdskelly]

Is that a redbird?  point B

 

[tropics]

 

 
Thanks      I had to have bone spurs removed from my thumb joint. Start rehab next week

Gary

REHAB FOR YOUR THUMB AND HAND!?! I shutter to think the " Home " exercises they may suggest you do in a Private setting...

...JJ

 

[tropics]

Gary that sure is pretty,I can see one spinning on my new toy real soon. Thanks for sharing Points 

Richie

 

[gary s]

 
Is that a redbird?  point B

Oh yeah ----- good eye   

and thanks

Gary

 

[gary s]

 
REHAB FOR YOUR THUMB AND HAND!?! I shutter to think the " Home " exercises they may suggest you do in a Private setting...

...JJ

My Therapist  is Female ---  Maybe I can get her to show me

Gary

 

[disco]

That bird looks great. I suspect your wife is right and it was perfect.

I hope your hand goes well!

Points for a great smoke.

Disco

 

[gary s]

 
That bird looks great. I suspect your wife is right and it was perfect.

I hope your hand goes well!

Points for a great smoke.

Disco

Thank you Disco, It would have been about right for most folks, 

Usually the way I judge the right amount of heat for me is after a bite or two a bead of sweat pops out on my forehead, nose starts running and eyes tear up   Then it's just Right

 

[GaryHibbert]

Hey Gary. 

I've only done char siu once, but I wasn't happy with the flavor penetration.  I marinated it for about 24 hours, and the flavor was not really noticeable past the first 1/4 inch.  JJ's probably right about using the tumbler, and next time I'll try marinating for 3 days or so.

 That poor yard bird looks like its blushing, but some time on the grill sure gave it some nice color.  Looks really good.

Gary

 

[gary s]

 
Hey Gary. 

I've only done char siu once, but I wasn't happy with the flavor penetration.  I marinated it for about 24 hours, and the flavor was not really noticeable past the first 1/4 inch.  JJ's probably right about using the tumbler, and next time I'll try marinating for 3 days or so.

 That poor yard bird looks like its blushing, but some time on the grill sure gave it some nice color.  Looks really good.

Gary

Thanks Gary Much Appreciated

Gary