Here is my latest recipe for oven-baked five-spice roast chicken thighs seasoned with garlic, honey, and five-spice powder. This roast chicken recipe requires just some simple ingredients, perfect for a quick, budget-friendly midweek meal.

I have been in New Zealand recently and realized that food is a universal language transcending all borders and cultures. It is an exciting experience to incorporate local ingredients and cooking techniques into my recipes while still utilizing the skills and flavors of Asian cooking.

I will provide more information about the five-spice powder in the later part of this article. Meanwhile, let me explain how to make this oven-baked five-spice roast chicken thigh recipe that will leave you craving more.

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a. Steps to prepare the Chinese five-spice chicken in the oven

Since I am cooking for a small family, I use only three chicken thighs in this recipe. However, if you need to make a larger quantity, scale up the recipe by multiplying the amount of each ingredient proportionally.

1. Gather your ingredients for the five-spice chicken

Here’s a breakdown of the major ingredients and how to prepare them.

1. Chicken. I prefer to use chicken thighs. Bone-in thighs will give a better presentation, but boneless chicken thighs are equally good. However, you can also use chicken breasts, wings, or whole chicken. Chicken thighs are popular in Chinese cuisine due to their tender texture and higher fat content.
2. Five-spice powder. The amount of five-spice powder in the recipe is perfect for my taste, but you can adjust it based on your preferences. Since the spice mix has no chili, there is a lot of flexibility in how much to use.
3. Garlic. I normally use freshly minced garlic to marinate the chicken, as it provides a fresh and intense flavor. However, garlic powder is a convenient option. Just keep in mind that the flavor is better with fresh garlic.
4. Ginger. You can incorporate ginger powder or juice into the marinade if you like ginger.
5. Other seasonings. I also include light soy sauce, oyster sauce, sesame oil, black pepper, and honey in the marinade. These ingredients are common in Cantonese-style cooking. However, for a unique twist, feel free to add other ingredients like fish sauce, dark soy sauce, Hoisin sauce, chili flakes, Sichuan peppercorns powder, or cumin powder.
6. Honey. Honey adds a touch of sweetness and helps caramelize the chicken. 

2. Marinate the chicken

1. Combine all the marinade ingredients in a small bowl. Mix them well until they are thoroughly combined.
2. Pat dry the chicken thighs with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
3. Rub the spice marinade all over the chicken in a large mixing bowl, making sure that the marinade is distributed evenly.
4. Keep the seasoned chicken in the fridge for at least two hours, preferably overnight. This will give the flavors time to penetrate the meat, resulting in a more flavorful and tender chicken.

3. Roast the chicken until it’s cooked through

1. To start the cooking process, preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F. Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge and let it come to room temperature before roasting. This step ensures even cooking and prevents the center of the chicken from being undercooked.
2. Next, line a roasting tray with a baking sheet, and place the chicken thighs with the skin side facing up on the tray. This will crisp up the chicken skin and become golden brown. You can also use an air fryer for cooking the chicken.
3. Apply some olive oil to the chicken. Roast the chicken for 25-30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 74°C/165°F to ensure it is cooked. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken thighs and your oven, so it’s best to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.

4. Serve and enjoy your delicious five-spice chicken with other dishes

Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute. 

Garnish with chopped green onions (spring onion), and enjoy your Chinese five-spice chicken with steamed Jasmine rice, salad, or stir-fried vegetables.

b. What is Chinese 5-spice powder?

Chinese five-spice powder is a blend of five different spices commonly used in Chinese cuisine. The traditional mix usually includes cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns, although regional variations exist. 

Five-spice powder is a ubiquitous ingredient found in most Asian markets. Nowadays, it is also readily available in most regular grocery stores. This versatile blend is easy to replicate at home by purchasing individual spices and blending them with your spice blender. Despite the ease of making your own, many households and Chinese restaurants still opt for the convenience of ready-made five-spice powder due to its widespread availability.

Five-spice powder had a distinctive and intricate flavor, making it an excellent seasoning for meats and vegetables. It is a great way to incorporate a touch of Asian-inspired flavor into other cuisines.

c. Relate recipes to the Chinese five-spice chicken

If you enjoyed this five-spice chicken recipe, try exploring other Chinese recipes on this food blog. 

• Wuxi-style braised pork ribs are coated with a deliciously savory sauce with five-spice powder as one of the main ingredients. 
• Beef noodle stir-fry is a satisfying meal made with thinly sliced beef from your preferred cut of steak. This quick and easy dish is sure to please everyone’s taste buds.

Continue to Content

Oven-baked Five Spice Chicken

Yield: 3 pieces

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Elevate your roasted chicken game with this flavorful five-spice chicken recipe. It's quick, easy, and perfect for midweek dinner.

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Ingredients

• 700g chicken thighs, skin on and bone in
• 2 tsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp oyster sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp clear honey
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1.5 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 tbsp garlic, minced

Instructions

1. Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Mix them well until they are thoroughly combined.
2. Pat dry the chicken thighs with a paper towel.
3. Rub the spice marinade all over the chicken in a large mixing bowl, making sure that the marinade is distributed evenly.
4. Keep the seasoned chicken in the fridge for at least two hours.
5. Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F. Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge and let it come to room temperature before baking. 
6. Next, line a roasting tray with a baking sheet, and place the chicken thighs with the skin side facing up on the tray. 
7. Apply some olive oil to the chicken. Roast the chicken for 25-30 minutes or until it reaches an internal temperature of 74°C/165°F to ensure it is cooked. 
8. Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute. 
9. Garnish with chopped green onions (spring onion), and enjoy.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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  Frontier Five Spice Powder, 1.92-Ounce Bottle

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 547Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 299mgSodium: 814mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 55g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix on 15/4/2023