Hunan-Style Roast Chicken with Chinese Broccoli and Spiced Marinade
Roast chicken marinated with fragrant Hunan spices paired with tender Chinese broccoli stir-fried in garlic and dried chillies. This chinese-inspired chicken ready in about 75 minutes blends cleaned and patted dry whole chicken, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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
- 3 lbs, cleaned and patted dry whole chicken
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine
- 2 tbsp, minced ginger
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 5, broken into pieces dried red chillies
- 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder
- 12 oz, trimmed Chinese broccoli (gai lan)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp Shaoxing wine, 2 tbsp minced ginger, 4 minced garlic cloves, 5 broken dried red chillies, 1 tsp Chinese five-spice powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper to create a marinade. Rub this mixture all over the 3 lb whole chicken, inside and out. Marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight in the fridge.
- Step 2: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place the marinated chicken on a roasting rack in a baking tray. Roast for 50-60 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 3: While the chicken roasts, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and 5 broken dried red chillies. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 12 oz trimmed Chinese broccoli to the skillet and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes until the stems are tender but still crisp. Season with a pinch of salt. Serve the roast chicken sliced alongside the Chinese broccoli.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Hunan-Style Roast Chicken with Chinese Broccoli and Spiced Marinade take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 min cook). A small batch typically covers several meals in the week — store as the recipe directs.
How do I store leftover Hunan-Style Roast Chicken with Chinese Broccoli and Spiced Marinade?
Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5–7 days. Most sauces freeze well for up to 2 months — portion into small containers or freezer bags so you can thaw only what you need. Stir before serving; cream- or yogurt-based sauces may separate on standing.
Can I substitute ingredients in Hunan-Style Roast Chicken with Chinese Broccoli and Spiced Marinade?
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 Hunan-Style Roast Chicken with Chinese Broccoli and Spiced Marinade 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 Hunan-Style Roast Chicken with Chinese Broccoli and Spiced Marinade?
Chinese chicken 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.
