These chicken thighs roast to a golden brown perfection atop fennel, apple, red onion and sweet potato. What’s even better than that is it only uses one pan to get the job done. Exotic in aroma and warm to the senses, Chinese Five Spice is a rich spice blend that’s used in a basting sauce for these Five Spice Roasted Chicken Thighs.
These’s a bit of a chill out in the early mornings when I take the boys out for their daily run at the park. As I walk around and watch the sunrise I contemplate upcoming days and meals, the holidays and family. Holidays always bring back fond memories of my mom’s big family get togethers and all the relatives singing, drinking and laughing. And eating. 🙂 We have a large Irish family.
Anybody else doing that? I mean, it’s rare that San Diego gets cool, but it makes me think that a cup of hot Mexican Hot Chocolate is in order and definitely easy, comfort food meals. While comfort food can mean added calories, sometimes it doesn’t have to.
That to me means more roasted vegetables and meals that are either one pan, done in the pressure cooker or the slow cooker. There are lots of them I’m sharing with you this season and many more that are in the works. This one has a bit of a twist with the wonderful Chinese Five spice blend.
The warm spices in the blend are perfect for Fall, and to switch up the usual fare, I thought a Chinese influence on delicious roasted chicken thighs was perfect. The spices in the blend are star anise, clove, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper (Szechuan) and fennel seeds. Most of these are used in the typical Fall and Winter baking so they are not that big of a surprise.
To make this complete I roasted the chicken on a bed of Fall vegetables, namely fennel, apples, red onion and sweet potatoes. I add a pinch of red pepper flakes, but feel free to omit if you like.
The vegetables get savory, caramelized and reach a nice sweetness. Paired with the delicious chicken it’s a wonderful dinner. I use bone-in skin on chicken thighs. I think they have a richer flavor than a chicken breast, but by all means use a chicken breast. I love them, too!
I keep the skin on when roasting chicken because the skin renders it’s fat and bastes the chicken, keeping it moist. When serving I take the skin off and dig in!
Halfway through roasting I baste again with the chicken broth, butter, honey and Five Spice mixture to ensure a flavorful and golden brown texture. Enjoy!
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 fennel bulb with feathery stalks
- 1 in large sweet potato peeled and cut into 1/4-. slices
- 1 in medium red onion cut lengthwise into 1/3-.-wide slices
- 2 large Honey Crisp apples (See Note 1)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- pinch red pepper flakes
- 4 in bone-skin-on chicken thighs (1.5 lbs total)
- Basting sauce:
- 1/4 cup chicken stock
- 2 tbsp butter melted
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 1/2 tsp Chinese Five Spice powder
- 1/4 tsp soy sauce
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut off fennel stalks and set aside feathery leaves. Trim base of bulb and tough outer layers. Halve bulb lengthwise, cut out core in a V, and cut bulb lengthwise into slim wedges.
Brush olive oil on a large rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and arrange fennel, sweet potatoes, onion and apples in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt, black and red pepper flakes.
- Arrange chicken on top, skin side up. In a small bowl, combine chicken stock, butter, honey, Chinese Five Spice powder, soy sauce. Brush half of sauce onto chicken.
Roast 15 minutes, then baste again with sauce and any pan juices (use a bulb baster or wide spoon). Continue to roast until chicken is nicely browned and no longer pink at bone (cut to test or 165°F), 15 to 20 minutes more. Baste everything again and scatter reserved fennel leaves on top.
1. Honey Crisp or other firm/tart apples, unpeeled, cored, sliced into 1/4-inch wedges
I just made the Five Spice Roasted Chicken Thighs! Omg Kevin, this is delicious! I didn’t add the fennel since my Husband is not a fan. Added carrots! This will be a frequent recipe for sure. Thank you! I love your recipes!
Reading comments like this make my morning. Thanks so much for letting me know Ellen! 🙂
I made a big batch of my own 5-spice powder recently and have been looking for ideas on where to sprinkle it! GREG
I love a cook who makes their own spice blends, way to go Greg! Roast on buddy! 🙂
This chicken sounds (and looks!) amazing, Kevin! I love the use of Five Spice here. And the honey! And the fact that you double baste this bad boy while it’s cooking. I would be all about this one for dinner! I know it doesn’t get *that* cold out in San Diego, so if you need me to bottle up some cold weather and send it over then I’m happy to do that. They’re calling for 5-7″ of snow this coming weekend. Time to go find my snow shovel and get the snow blower ready!
Thanks Dave, appreciate it. It’s funny how just a little basting can take a dish to another level. That flavor roasts in and coats it beautifully. 5-7″ of snow… good grief, time to bust out the blower and build Robbie that snowman!
This sounds wonderful, Kevin! Five-spice seasoning is one that I love, but often forget about. It and the other warming spices must just sing in this and I love that it’s simple enough to whip up on a weeknight. We’d eat the leftovers cold from the fridge the next day too.
The Chinese Five Spice blend goes so well with this veggie and apple medley. Gotta love quick, tasty and no hassle clean up! Thanks Marissa. 🙂
Perfect meal for the chilly weather here too Kevin! I bet those thighs are so nice and juicy!! And I love all the delicious veggies and apples underneath! Can’t wait to try!
Juicy indeed, and you could just take the skin off after if you don’t like it, right? I rather it be moist first and the spice mix with the veggies are really fantastic. Thanks Mary Ann!
It’s been cool here in the Bay too. It’s funny how quickly you get used to a more temperate climate – back east a late November day in the upper 50s/low 60s would be like an Indian summer. Now I have to bundle up to go outside, lol! Roast chicken is always a favorite and I’m loving the warm 5-spice you’ve used in this dish – what a wonderful touch! Paired with the sweet potatoes and apples and you’ve got one incredible dish!
Hi Kathleen! I remember growing up in San Francisco (the Sunset district) and the fog, wind and cold. I almost died when I came here to San Diego and the warm weather. This roast chicken would easily warm things up and the the addition of the apples is so good! Stay warm. 🙂
Hey Kevin, I love a good chicken tray bake. Also, good call on using bone-in chicken, much better flavour. Plus, the colour on the chicken is brilliant, perfect on a cold night for sure!
I figure the minor trouble to deal with bone and skin you need not eat after roasting makes it worth it. So much flavor and keeps things moist. Thanks Matt!
Hey Kevin! I’m all for roasting vegs and meats together! And, of course, only one pan to wash! With the holidays coming and so much to do this is a great way to be a little less stressed and still enjoy a wonderful meal! Glad you and Dave were able to get away for a few days!
Yes Dorothy! I so agree and this is a tasty one, but it’s the aroma that gets me! I love a meal that tastes as good as it smells. 😉
I’m definitely contemplating the weeks ahead and planning what I’m going to make (and eat). We are having a get together at our place in a couple of weeks and the menu planning is under way. It’s always great to have one pan dishes to make things a lot easier. Lots of times I tend to overthink things and some of the best meals (or things in general) are often ones that happen quickly. Love the combo here with the chicken, five spice and veg. So perfect ’cause it’s super cold around here. Snow in the forecast and this recipe would be something I would love to make, curl up with and enjoy. Pinned! Happy Monday!
Yeah, getting back into the swing of things after being gone a week today I need ot hit the notebook for meal planning and then shop. No snow her , but we’ve had rain and it’s so needed and nice to hear. 😉 Thanks Dawn and have a great Monday!
We love five spice powder at our house. It is so warm and spicy, perfect with chicken. This looks like a weeknight wonder to me!
It will do the trick Karen and it has a super quick clean up. Win, win!
It got reaaaaally cold here, so I am definitely craving comfort food. BUT, I’m with you, comfort food doesn’t have to mean overly heavy and fattening! I’m TOTALLY digging these chicken thighs, Kevin! I mean, what’s not to love?! Made in ONE pan, loaded with 5 spice flavor and packed with veggies!?! GIMME dat!! Pinned! Cheers, buddy!
P.S. yay to chicken thigh twinning!
Portland area was quite cold too, but we had a great time. Meals like this are always welcome, especially if out and about… walking into the kitchen and smelling this should do the trick! Thanks Chey!
It took me many years to appreciate the powerful flavour of five spice – maybe I was in my late twenties? – but now I’m completely fine with it. Great one-pan meal you have here, especially those vegetables. I have a serious craving for vegetables!
Chinese Five Spice has such an exotic aroma, I love it, and with the fennel and apple the veggies round it out nicely. Looking forward to being transported via your post adventures this afternoon. 🙂