Five-Spice Herb-Roasted Chicken

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Chicken thighs roasted with a fragrant blend of five traditional spices and fresh herbs, resulting in juicy, aromatic meat with a golden crust. This asian-inspired grilling ready in about 60 minutes pairs chicken thighs, cumin, coriander for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 4, 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.

★ 4.5 (13 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 380 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat 1.5 pounds chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon coriander, 2 whole star anise, 1/2 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns, and 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds. Crush the spices with a mortar and pestle until finely ground.
  3. Step 3: Mix 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary (chopped), 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 minced garlic cloves, and the ground spice blend. Rub evenly over the chicken thighs.
  4. Step 4: Arrange chicken skin-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Roast for 35-40 minutes until the skin is crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring moist, flavorful meat.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Five-Spice Herb-Roasted Chicken take to make?

Total time is about 60 minutes (20 min prep + 40 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 Herb-Roasted Chicken?

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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Five-Spice Herb-Roasted Chicken?

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 Herb-Roasted Chicken for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.

What goes well with Five-Spice Herb-Roasted Chicken?

Asian grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes