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.
This 5-spice chicken is one of those recipes that delivers big flavor with surprisingly little effort. Tender chicken thighs are coated in a simple Chinese 5-spice marinade, then glazed until sticky, glossy, and completely irresistible.
The magic is in the balance of flavors. Chinese 5-spice brings warmth and depth, while dark soy sauce adds richness, and sesame oil contributes a subtle nuttiness. As the chicken cooks, a quick honey glaze creates that beautiful sticky coating that makes every bite so satisfying.
I love making this recipe on busy nights because it’s ready in about 30 minutes and uses just a handful of ingredients. Finished with sesame seeds and green onions, it’s the kind of simple dinner that tastes like you put in far more effort than you actually did.
Chinese 5-Spice
Chinese 5-spice is what gives this chicken its incredible depth of flavor. Traditional blends typically include star anise, cloves, cassia cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel seeds, creating a balance of sweet, warm, earthy, citrusy, and subtly spicy notes. Despite the name, “5 spice” doesn’t refer to the number of ingredients; it refers to the five flavor elements the blend is meant to represent: sweet, pungent, sour, salty, and bitter.
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.
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!