Chinese five-spice chicken is a delicious dish that bakes chicken thighs with an aromatic and flavorful Chinese spice blend. This dish features a flavorful marinade made with five-spice powder, a staple in Chinese cooking. The unique spice blend creates a unique and complex taste.
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This easy recipe is perfect for anyone looking to bring flavor to their dinner table. I promise it will become one of your favorite recipes. Let's dive into the ingredients and steps to create this mouthwatering dish!
Simple ingredients
- Chicken thighs: I used bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Chicken thighs are super flavorful and juicy and remain tender when cooked. Their higher fat content compared to chicken breasts helps them stay moist during cooking, making them ideal for absorbing the flavors of the Chinese marinade and spices.
- Oil
- Minced garlic: It adds aromatic flavor to the dish as it cooks.
- Five-spice powder: Five-spice powder is the star seasoning in this recipe. It typically includes a blend of star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds. This spice mix adds a complex, warm, and slightly sweet flavor characteristic of many Chinese dishes.
- Dark brown sugar: Dark brown sugar adds sweetness and caramelizes the chicken, giving it a beautiful golden-brown color and slightly sticky texture.
- Light soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty, umami flavor to this recipe.
- Dark soy sauce: Dark soy sauce is thicker, darker, and slightly sweeter than regular soy sauce. I mainly use it to add a rich color to the chicken.
- Shaoxing wine: Shaoxing wine is a Chinese cooking wine with a complex, slightly sweet flavor.
- Rice vinegar: Rice vinegar adds a mild acidity that helps to balance the rich and savory flavors.
- Salt and black pepper: to taste
- Roasted sesame seeds: for garnish.
Step-by-step cooking instructions
Combine the spices: In a small mixing bowl, mix the cooking oil, minced garlic, five-spice powder, dark brown sugar, both soy sauces, Shaoxing wine, rice vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed, then pour the mixture into a plastic bag. This will be the spice blend that gives the chicken its signature flavor.
Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken thigh pieces in a plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it is well coated. Seal the bag, removing any excess air, and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, preferably for 2 hours to overnight, to allow the flavors to infuse.
Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the marinated chicken thighs on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, with chicken skin side up. This allows the heat to circulate evenly around the chicken, ensuring a golden brown, crispy skin.
Roast the chicken: Cook the chicken thighs in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes. Brush a layer of the remaining marinade sauce on the chicken thighs. Turn the oven temperature to 400 degrees F for an additional 5 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Once done, the thickest part of the thigh should reach 165 degrees F.
Rest the chicken: Once the chicken reaches the proper internal temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Serve and garnish: Sprinkle roasted sesame seeds on top of the chicken thighs for garnish. Serve the chicken thighs with steamed white rice and your favorite green vegetables. Enjoy!
Tips and variations
Here are some tips and variations to enhance your Chinese five-spice chicken:
- Slow cooker option: For an easy dinner, you can prepare this five-spice chicken in a slow cooker. After marinating, place the chicken in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Chicken legs: You can use the same marinade sauce on the chicken legs for some delicious Chinese five-spice chicken drumsticks!
- Spice marinade: If you prefer a stronger flavor, increase the amount of five-spice powder and soy sauce.
- Leftover ideas: Use leftover chicken in salads, noodles, or braise stew.
- Marinating time: The longer you marinate, the more intense the flavor. Overnight marinating is ideal.
- Cooking time: Adjust cooking times based on the size of your chicken pieces. Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness.
Final thoughts
Chinese five-spice chicken is packed with flavor and incredibly versatile. It can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for weeknight dinners. With the juicy and succulent chicken, this dish will surely become a favorite in your household.
Try this recipe today, and don't forget to check out my other latest recipes for more cooking inspiration! Happy cooking!
Chinese Five Spice Chicken: Family Favorite Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken thighs bone-in, skin-on
- 2 teaspoons cooking oil
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- a pinch of dark soy sauce
- 1.5 tablespoons Shaoxing cooking wine
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- salt and black pepper to taste
- green onion roasted sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions
- Combine the spices: In a small mixing bowl, mix the cooking oil, minced garlic, five-spice powder, dark brown sugar, both soy sauces, Shaoxing wine, rice vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed, then pour the mixture into a plastic bag. This will be the spice blend that gives the chicken its signature flavor.
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken thigh pieces in a plastic bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it is well coated. Seal the bag, removing any excess air, and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, preferably for 2 hours to overnight, to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Place the marinated chicken thighs on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, with chicken skin side up. This allows the heat to circulate evenly around the chicken, ensuring a golden brown, crispy skin.
- Roast the chicken: Cook the chicken thighs in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes. Brush a layer of the remaining marinade sauce on the chicken thighs. Turn the oven temperature to 400 degrees F for an additional 5 minutes. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Once done, the thickest part of the thigh should reach 165 degrees F.
- Rest the chicken: Once the chicken reaches the proper internal temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Serve and garnish: Sprinkle roasted sesame seeds on top of the chicken thighs for garnish. Serve the chicken thighs with steamed white rice and your favorite green vegetables. Enjoy!
Gloria says
You can never have too many delicious chicken recipes to draw from. This sounds awesome. What a great way to enjoy 5 spice blend.
Adriana says
I cook chicken often and my family always asks for different flavors.
Made this recipe for five spice chicken and it was a winner. Thanks for the detailed instructions ❤️
Kathryn says
We loved all of these flavors and it made the chicken so delicious. Loved it over rice and served veggies for a perfect meal. Will be making this again for dinner!
Bernice says
This was an excellent chicken marinade. We enjoyed it so much that I made a few more freezer bags full of marinated chicken for the freezer. They'll come in handy on a busy night!
Jacqueline. says
The flavours in this marinade are fabulous. Tastiest roast chicken thighs I have ever made!
Leslie says
I love all the flavor in this Chinese Five Spice Chicken recipe! This one is a staple!
Tammy says
This is such a delicious and flavorful meal. I love the warmth of the spices...perfect for rice bowls and make-ahead meals!
Ashley says
My family loved this easy chicken thigh recipe. I thought ahead and marinated the chicken overnight and man, it was so flavorful. Thanks for the great recipe!
Veronika says
I forgot how much I like this spice, it gave the chicken so much delicious flavor and I loved the addition of the cooking wine as well. Thanks for the recipe!
Jordan says
Thank you for the slow cooker option! I've been looking for some summery dinner ideas that don't require me using the oven or stovetop and this was perfect. Boyfriend loved it too!