Five-Spice Chicken Thighs with Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Tender chicken thighs marinated in five-spice powder, roasted with caramelized sweet potatoes. This chinese-inspired one pot (gluten-free) ready in about 45 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, five-spice powder, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp five-spice powder
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 cups cubed sweet potatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat 12 oz chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a bowl, mix 1 tbsp five-spice powder, 2 tbsp soy sauce, and 1 tbsp honey. Rub mixture evenly over chicken.
- Step 2: Toss 2 cups cubed sweet potatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet in a single layer.
- Step 3: Place chicken thighs skin-side up on the same baking sheet with sweet potatoes. Roast for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and sweet potatoes are tender.
- Step 4: Remove from oven, sprinkle with 1 tsp sesame seeds. Rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Five-Spice Chicken Thighs with Roasted Sweet Potatoes take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Five-Spice Chicken Thighs with Roasted Sweet Potatoes?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep five-spice powder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Five-Spice Chicken Thighs with Roasted Sweet Potatoes?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Five-Spice Chicken Thighs with Roasted Sweet Potatoes for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Five-Spice Chicken Thighs with Roasted Sweet Potatoes gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So flavorful and easy to make. I'll be making this again for dinner parties.
- ★★★★★
A new favorite! The five-spice blend is amazing and the chicken stays juicy. Roasting the potatoes with the chicken is genius.
- ★★★★★
My husband loved the chicken thighs, and the sweet potatoes were the perfect side. Easy one-pot meal!
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