Chinese Roast Chicken
Using pantry staples like soy sauce and five-spice powder, this Chinese roast chicken recipe delivers amazing results with minimal effort.
Equipment
- paper towels
- baking tray
- aluminium foil
- large bowl or ziplock bag
Ingredients
- 2 chicken legs drumstick and thigh attached
- 1.5 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/4 tsp five-spice powder
- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
Instructions
- Pat the chicken legs dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin. Make a few shallow slits on the thickest part of each leg for even cooking and better marinade absorption.
- In a small bowl, mix light soy sauce, five-spice powder, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and cooking oil until well combined.
- Place the chicken legs in a large bowl or ziplock bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and massage it into the skin and slits. Cover the bowl or seal the bag and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with foil for easy cleanup. Arrange the marinated chicken legs skin-side up on the tray.
- Roast the chicken in the oven for 30 minutes. Then, switch to the broil setting and increase temperature to 200 C and broil for an additional 10 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
- To check if chicken is fully cooked, insert a sharp knife into the flesh. Clear juices should run out.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Chinese-Style Roast Chicken - Quick FAQ
1. What ingredients do I need for Chinese-style roast chicken? You only need a few basics: light soy sauce, five-spice powder (or cinnamon), hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and a whole chicken. 2. Can I make this roast chicken without five-spice powder? Yes. Use cinnamon powder instead — it was in the original version and gives a warm, aromatic flavour. 3. How long do I need to marinate the chicken? At least 30 minutes works, but 2–4 hours makes the flavours deeper. Overnight is even better. 4. What does five-spice powder do in roast chicken? Five-spice adds warmth, sweetness, and depth from spices like star anise and cloves. A little goes a long way. 5. Why add hoisin sauce to roast chicken? Hoisin sauce contains sugar, which helps the chicken caramelise beautifully and creates a golden, flavour-packed skin. 6. How do I make the chicken skin crispy? Roast first, then broil for the last 10 minutes. This dries the skin and makes it thin, crisp, and shatteringly crunchy. 7. How do I know if my roast chicken is cooked through? Pierce the thickest part of the thigh. If clear juices run out and the meat pulls away easily, it’s done. 8. Can I make this recipe with chicken parts instead of a whole chicken? Yes. Drumsticks, thighs, or wings work well. Reduce cooking time so they don’t dry out. 9. What should I serve with Chinese-style roast chicken? Steamed rice, simple stir-fried greens, noodles, or even roasted vegetables pair beautifully with this savoury, aromatic chicken. 10. How do I store leftover roast chicken? Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days. Reheat in the airfryer or oven to restore crispiness.
1. What ingredients do I need for Chinese-style roast chicken? You only need a few basics: light soy sauce, five-spice powder (or cinnamon), hoisin sauce, sesame oil, and a whole chicken. 2. Can I make this roast chicken without five-spice powder? Yes. Use cinnamon powder instead — it was in the original version and gives a warm, aromatic flavour. 3. How long do I need to marinate the chicken? At least 30 minutes works, but 2–4 hours makes the flavours deeper. Overnight is even better. 4. What does five-spice powder do in roast chicken? Five-spice adds warmth, sweetness, and depth from spices like star anise and cloves. A little goes a long way. 5. Why add hoisin sauce to roast chicken? Hoisin sauce contains sugar, which helps the chicken caramelise beautifully and creates a golden, flavour-packed skin. 6. How do I make the chicken skin crispy? Roast first, then broil for the last 10 minutes. This dries the skin and makes it thin, crisp, and shatteringly crunchy. 7. How do I know if my roast chicken is cooked through? Pierce the thickest part of the thigh. If clear juices run out and the meat pulls away easily, it’s done. 8. Can I make this recipe with chicken parts instead of a whole chicken? Yes. Drumsticks, thighs, or wings work well. Reduce cooking time so they don’t dry out. 9. What should I serve with Chinese-style roast chicken? Steamed rice, simple stir-fried greens, noodles, or even roasted vegetables pair beautifully with this savoury, aromatic chicken. 10. How do I store leftover roast chicken? Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days. Reheat in the airfryer or oven to restore crispiness.