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Samin Nosrat

Glazed Five-Spice Chicken

Aromatic, comforting chicken that bakes in under an hour.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
resting time 8 hours
Total Time 9 hours 23 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

For the Marinade:
  • 2 pounds chicken drumsticks, thighs, or a combination of the two
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar light brown sugar is fine too.
  • ¼ cup mirin
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 Tablespoon finely grated ginger
  • 4 cloves garlic finely grated
  • ½ teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
Garnishes:
  • ¼ cup coarsely chopped cilantro
  • 4 finely sliced scallions

Equipment

  • 9"x13" baking dish

Method
 

The day before you want to eat the chicken:
  1. Place chicken into a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag.
  2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, mirin, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, five-spice powder and cayenne, if using.
  3. Pour the marinade over the chicken.
  4. Seal the bag and place in the fridge overnight.
The day you are going to eat the chicken:
  1. Take the chicken out of the fridge about an hour before you put it in the oven, to bring it back up to room temperature.
  2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. Place the chicken skin side up in a 9"x13" baking dish.
  4. Pour the marinade over the chicken. If the marinade doesn't cover the bottom of the pan, add a few tablespoons of water until it does.
  5. Set a timer for 45 minutes.
  6. Place the pan in the oven and rotate it every 10 to 15 minutes.
  7. When 45 minutes have elapsed, crank the heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
  8. Cook for an additional 10 minutes, brushing the chicken with the marinade every 3 minutes or so to glaze it.
  9. Serve with cilantro and scallions scattered on top.
  10. Keeps in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.