Sticky Chinese 5 Spice Chicken
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Sometimes, you just crave a dinner that leaves your fingers sticky, in the best ways possible! This 5 spice chicken recipe creates the most tender, juicy chicken in an irresistible, tacky glaze. The best part? This full-of-flavor dish takes just 30 minutes to make.
The only thing better than a warm, sticky chicken masterpiece is when it takes just 30 minutes to make. Thanks to the wonders of pre-made Chinese 5 spice blend, crafting a flavorful, glaze-coated, tender chicken dish takes minimal effort and ingredients. This is what chicken dreams are made of!
What is Chinese 5 Spice?
The heart of this recipe lies in the delicious and complex spice blend. Chinese 5-spice comprises five key ingredients, each contributing a distinct flavor to result in a well-rounded blend.
- Star anise: imparts a subtle, licorice-like flavor – adding a delicate sweetness to the blend.
- Cloves offer a warm, earthy flavor that harmonizes with the other flavors.
- Chinese cinnamon, also known as cassia, adds a sweet, aromatic essence, lending depth to the blend.
- Sichuan pepper: provides a floral, almost citrusy aroma with a slight heat for a zesty kick.
- Fennel seeds: contribute a mild, herbal aroma and a touch of sweetness.
Fun fact: The name “Chinese 5 spice” doesn’t actually refer to the number of spices; you might even find blends that have variations on the traditional spices above. The number comes from the five flavors: sweet, pungent, sour, salty, and bitter.
Ingredients needed
- Marinade: Add dark soy sauce, sesame oil, Chinese 5 spice and garlic. Easy!
- Chicken: We love the juicy result we get from using chicken thighs, but you could use this to make wings or drumsticks, too!
- Glaze: honey creates the stickiness, balanced out with a dark soy sauce and rice vinegar.
- To serve: Sprinkle on some sesame seeds and sliced green onions or chives. You could use chili flakes for an additional kick!
How to make 5 spice chicken
This recipe is an ideal choice on busy nights when you want big flavor with little cook time.
- Marinate the 5 spice chicken: put the chicken in a bowl with the marinade and coat it. Leave it in the fridge for 30 minutes to 24 hours to soak in the flavor (you can do it the day before to save even more time!)
- Make the glaze: This is as easy as mixing together honey, soy sauce, and vinegar.
- Sear the chicken: Cook the chicken skin side down until the skin is perfectly crispy.
- Glaze the chicken: Now flip it over, drain any fat from the pan, and add the glaze.
- Serve: We loved this chicken with a side of rice sprinkled with some sesame seeds and chives or green onions.
What to serve with 5 spice chicken
Complete the meal by adding some basmati rice and vegetables!
To make the rice more fun, you could make coconut or cauliflower rice.
For side dishes, we would pair it with something green and fresh with an Asian influence, like Asian eggplant, Asian noodle salad or Asian coleslaw with Orange Sesame Dressing.
Recipe FAQs
Which Chinese five spice should I buy?
Your best bet will be to go to an Asian supermarket, but you can find high-quality blends in the Asian section of your supermarket. Check the ingredients to ensure it has the traditional five spices – it is okay if it has some extras, like ginger, nutmeg, or cardamom. As a general rule, avoid brands that include salt. If you’re able to smell them, check which appeals to you – the smell should be strong and aromatic with a light licorice smell.
Airtight containers help to preserve freshness, so avoid buying from open bulk bins if possible. If you want to buy it online, we recommend this one.
Which soy sauce should I use?
Dark soy sauce has a darker color and it’s thicker and a little bit sweeter than regular soy sauce. If you only have regular soy sauce, that’s totally fine too!
How long should I marinate the chicken?
This step adds to the depth of flavor, but if time is of the essence, it is fine to cook right away! If you have the time, we recommend at least 30 minutes but overnight is great to let it soak up the flavor.
Chinese 5 Spice Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon Chinese 5-spice
- 1 clove garlic (finely minced)
- 8 boneless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Sesame seeds and sliced green onions or chives (to serve)
The Glaze
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Instructions
- Mix the soy sauce, sesame oil, 5 spice, and garlic in a medium-sized baking dish. Add the chicken thighs and mix well so that they're all lightly coated in the marinade. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in your fridge for at least 30 minutes – or up to 24 hours.1 tablespoon Chinese 5-spice, 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce, 1 clove garlic, 8 boneless chicken thighs, 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- While the chicken is marinating, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, mix the honey, soy sauce, and rice vinegar.1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- Heat the oil in a large, non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs skin side down and cook until the skin is crispy and the thighs are mostly cooked through.1 tablespoon cooking oil
- Drain the fat from the pan. (If there is a lot, you might find it easier to remove the chicken and drain the fat into a bowl.) Flip the chicken thighs over and baste the tops with the glaze. Continue to cook the chicken, basting it a few more times, for 5 minutes, or until it is fully cooked. If there is any glaze left, pour it over top of the chicken.
- Serve the 5 spice chicken with some sesame seeds and sliced green onions over top.Sesame seeds and sliced green onions or chives
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
More Asian-influenced chicken recipes
For more inspiration, check out all of my dinner ideas!
I made this tonight, but I air fried my chicken thighs and reduced the sauce on the stove (thickened with cornstarch). I also subbed the rice vinegar for black vinegar. Absolutely delicious. Definitely adding this one to the rotation.
Great call on air frying this recipe!
This is perfect. The five spice flavors come out so good. I could make this every week. So much better than takeout
I loved your recipe and it is so yummy. Best side dish for a party. Quick easy and flavorful. Yummy glaze too.
The flavors were incredible and the chicken was so tender and juicy. I will definitely be making this again and again. It’s a new favorite in my household!
Yumilicious!!!
So happy to hear that you like the recipe!
Sticky glaze is the best, isn’t it?!!