Aromatic Five Spice Chicken Thighs in the Air Fryer: A 30-Minute Asian-Inspired Feast

Introduction

Embark on a culinary journey to the Far East with our Five Spice Chicken Thighs Air Fryer recipe! This dish marries the complex, aromatic flavors of Chinese five spice powder with the convenience and health benefits of air frying. Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s an ideal choice for a quick yet exotic weeknight dinner that will transport your taste buds to the streets of Beijing.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and exotic: Ready in just 30 minutes
• Healthier option: Uses minimal oil while delivering authentic Asian flavor
• Versatile: Great on its own, with rice, or in a stir-fry
• Impressive: A restaurant-quality dish that’s surprisingly simple to make

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs total)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons Chinese five spice powder
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional for serving: sliced green onions, sesame seeds

For the dipping sauce:

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Cosori Air Fryer, 5.8QT
• Meat Thermometer
• Mixing Bowls Set

Pro Tip: The Cosori Air Fryer ensures perfectly crispy skin while infusing the chicken with the aromatic five spice blend, creating a harmony of flavors and textures!

Instructions

1. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix vegetable oil, five spice powder, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then rub them thoroughly with the spice mixture, making sure to get some under the skin.
4. Place the seasoned chicken thighs in the air fryer basket, skin side up, ensuring they don’t overlap.
5. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip the chicken thighs.
6. Cook for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden brown and crispy.
7. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dipping sauce by whisking together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and sesame oil in a small bowl.
8. Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
9. Garnish with sliced green onions and sesame seeds if desired, and serve with the dipping sauce on the side.

Tips for Success

• For maximum flavor, prepare the spice mixture in advance and marinate the chicken for up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary for the best results.
• Adjust the amount of five spice powder to your taste preference. Start with less if you’re new to this flavor profile.

Variations

• Spicy Five Spice: Add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the spice mixture for a kick of heat.
• Orange Five Spice: Add 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the spice mixture for a citrusy twist.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 340
• Protein: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fat: 25g
• Fiber: 0.5g

Serving Suggestions

Serve these Five Spice Chicken Thighs with steamed jasmine rice and stir-fried bok choy for a complete, Asian-inspired meal. For an extra special presentation, use these elegant White and Gold Serving Platters.

Storage and Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container like these Glass Food Storage Containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-6 minutes, or until heated through.

Related Recipes

If you enjoyed this Five Spice Chicken Thighs Air Fryer recipe, you might also like these recipes from our Air Fryer Chicken collection:

• Air Fryer Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

For more delicious air fryer chicken recipes, check out our Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Round-up Post or explore our Air Fryer Chicken Breast Round-up Post for a variety of air fryer chicken dishes.

Five Spice Chicken Thighs Air Fryer Conclusion

We hope this Five Spice Chicken Thighs Air Fryer recipe brings the exciting flavors of Chinese cuisine to your dinner table! It’s a perfect example of how air frying can create exotic, restaurant-quality meals with minimal effort and time. Don’t forget to share your five spice creations with us on social media and let us know your favorite way to serve these aromatic chicken thighs.

Happy air frying!

This recipe is part of our Air Fryer Chicken series. Discover more air fryer chicken recipes in our [Link to Air Fryer Chicken Round-up Post] or explore all our air fryer chicken collections in our [Link to Master Air Fryer Chicken Round-up Post].

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