This five spice chicken is one of those recipes I keep coming back to on busy weeknights. Why? Because it's bold, sticky-sweet, and packed with flavor that tastes like it came from your favorite takeout spot.
What Is Five Spice Chicken?
Five spice chicken is a Chinese-inspired dish seasoned with Chinese five spice powder, which is a warm and aromatic spice blend made from star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds.
The marinade also features umami-rich sauces like soy sauce, hoisin, and oyster sauce, which creates deep layers of sweet, salty, and spiced flavor.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Big flavor with barely any effort: The marinade is simple to make and you probably have most ingredients in your pantry already.
- The air fryer does the heavy lifting: You get beautifully caramelized, slightly crispy edges without a greasy pan or a hot oven heating up your whole kitchen.
- That dipping sauce is everything: The honey hoisin dipping sauce is insanely good and works well with the chicken.
Equipment You'll Need
- Air fryer
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Large mixing bowl
- Meat thermometer
- Small bowl for dipping sauce
Ingredients for Five Spice Chicken
Main Ingredients
- Chicken thighs: Boneless and skinless thighs stay juicy and tender during air frying and soak up the marinade beautifully
- Soy sauce
- Dark soy sauce: Deeper in color and slightly thicker than regular soy sauce.
- Hoisin sauce: A thick, slightly sweet and tangy Chinese sauce that acts as the backbone of the marinade.
- Honey
- Oyster sauce: Adds a savory, subtly briny richness that rounds out all the bold flavors in the marinade.
- Garlic
- Red chili flakes
- Chinese five spice powder: The star of the show — a warm, complex spice blend of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds.
Dipping Sauce
- Honey
- Hoisin sauce
- Soy sauce
- Chinese five spice powder
Customizations
- Make it spicier: Add an extra pinch of red chili flakes to the marinade or a small drizzle of chili oil into the dipping sauce.
- Swap the protein: Use boneless chicken breasts, chicken drumsticks, or even tofu if you want to go the plant-based route.
- Make it gluten-free: Swap the soy sauce for tamari and use a gluten-free hoisin sauce — most other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
- Go extra with the dipping sauce: Stir in a little sesame oil or a pinch of grated ginger for an extra layer of flavor that takes the sauce to the next level.
How to Make Five Spice Chicken
Prep and Marinate the Chicken
Using a sharp knife, debone the chicken thighs if needed and trim any excess fat.
In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs with soy sauce, dark soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, oyster sauce, minced garlic, red chili flakes, and Chinese five spice powder. Mix well until every piece is evenly coated.
Marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate overnight if you have the time.
Air Fry the Chicken
Preheat your air fryer to 425°F for a few minutes. Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer, cooking in batches if needed — don't stack or overlap or you'll lose that gorgeous caramelization.
Air fry for 11–14 minutes until the chicken is browned, slightly caramelized, and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F or higher.
Make the Dipping Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, whisk together the honey, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and Chinese five spice powder in a small bowl until smooth and well combined. Set aside until ready to serve.
Rest and Serve the Five Spice Chicken
Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Serve over steamed rice with your favorite veggies and the dipping sauce on the side.
Storage
Store leftover five spice chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes or microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
You can also store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Tips to Make the Perfect Five Spice Chicken
- Don't rush the marinade: Even 15 minutes makes a difference but overnight gives the best results.
- Single layer is non-negotiable: Crowding the air fryer traps steam and you lose that beautiful caramelized crust.
- Let it rest before slicing: It's tempting to cut right in, but giving the chicken a few minutes to rest keeps the juices locked in and the meat tender instead of dry.
- Go dark with the soy: Don't skip the dark soy sauce. It's what gives the chicken that deep, rich color and a more complex savory flavor that regular soy sauce just can't replicate on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I cook this five spice chicken on the stove or in the oven?
Absolutely! To pan-fry or grill, sear the marinated chicken thighs on each side for 4–6 minutes over medium-high heat until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. For the oven, bake at 400°F for 25–30 minutes until fully cooked through.
Can I use bone-in chicken thighs instead?
Yes, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time. Bone-in thighs will take longer — about 20–25 minutes in the air fryer at 400°F, 30–35 minutes in the oven, or 6–8 minutes per side on the stove or grill. Always use a meat thermometer and cook to an internal temperature of 165°F.
What does Chinese five spice taste like?
Chinese five spice powder has a warm, complex, and slightly sweet flavor with notes of anise (think a mild licorice), cinnamon, and a subtle heat from the Sichuan pepper.
Can I marinate the five spice chicken overnight?
Yes, and I actually recommend it if you have the time! Marinating overnight in the refrigerator gives the chicken more time to absorb all those bold, complex flavors and results in a more deeply seasoned, tender bite.
Where can I find Chinese five spice powder?
Chinese five spice powder is widely available at most major grocery stores in the spice aisle or the Asian foods section. You can also find it online like Amazon.
Related Recipes You'll Love
- Honey Butter Chicken
- Honey Garlic Chicken
- Harissa Honey Chicken
- Teriyaki Chicken
- Chicken Bulgogi
- Hot Honey Sriracha Chicken
Five Spice Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken thighs boneless and skinless
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1.5 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
Dipping Sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
- 2 teaspoon soy sauce
- ⅛ teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, debone the chicken thighs and trim any excess fat.1.5 pounds chicken thighs
- In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs with soy sauce, dark soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, oyster sauce, minced garlic, red chili flakes, and Chinese five spice powder. Mix well until evenly coated and marinate for at least 15 minutes, or overnight for best results.2 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon dark soy sauce, 2 tablespoon hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 3 cloves garlic, ½ teaspoon red chili flakes, 1.5 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
- Preheat your air fryer to 425°F for a few minutes. Add the chicken thighs in a single layer, cooking in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Air fry for 11–14 minutes until browned and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F or higher.See recipe notes below for other cooking methods.
- While the chicken cooks, make the dipping sauce by combining honey, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and Chinese five spice powder. Stir until well mixed.1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce, 2 teaspoon soy sauce, ⅛ teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
- Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with rice, veggies, and the dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
- Pan-Fry or Grill: Sear the chicken on each side for 4–6 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Oven: Bake at 400°F for 25–30 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Anita says
Amazingly yummy 😋
Herman says
Thank you!!
Carol says
The flavours, quick and easy
Herman says
So glad you liked it!
Alexis says
I made this recipe for my family with a small adjustment and all I have to say is wow!!! This recipe is so simple and quick. I used a honey replacement for a healthier option then doubled the sauce to use half of it as a sauce for rice noodles. I will definitely be making this again and more of your recipes. Thank you!
Herman says
So glad you liked it! honey is great here too, thanks for the review!
Trish says
Yum