Cooking and Meal Prep Recipes Low-Carb Chinese Five Spice Chicken By Laura Dolson Laura Dolson Laura Dolson is a health and food writer who develops low-carb and gluten-free recipes for home cooks. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 10, 2022 Reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by nutrition and exercise professionals. Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN Reviewed by Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN LinkedIn Twitter Kristy is a licensed registered dietitian nutritionist and trained culinary professional. She has worked in a variety of settings, including MSKCC and Rouge Tomate. Learn about our Review Board Print mccun934 / Getty Images (128 ratings) Total Time: 55 min Prep Time: 10 min Cook Time: 45 min Servings: 6 (1 thigh each) Nutrition Highlights (per serving) 232 calories 18g fat 2g carbs 16g protein Show Nutrition Label Hide Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings: 6 (1 thigh each) Amount per serving Calories 232 % Daily Value* Total Fat 18g 23% Saturated Fat 4g 20% Cholesterol 81mg 27% Sodium 1082mg 47% Total Carbohydrate 2g 1% Dietary Fiber 0g 0% Total Sugars 0g Includes 0g Added Sugars 0% Protein 16g Vitamin D 0mcg 0% Calcium 15mg 1% Iron 1mg 6% Potassium 239mg 5% *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. This low-carb Chinese five spice chicken recipe is a favorite to grill but it can also be baked. And yes, it's incredibly low in carbohydrates. Chinese five spice is a flavorful spice blend you can get in the supermarket. This combination of spices has been shown to have antioxidant properties that may help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Take note, the chicken must marinate for at least 1 hour (though preferably overnight), so plan accordingly. Ingredients 6 medium chicken thighs 1/3 cup soy sauce 1/4 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon garlic powder 2 teaspoons five spice powder 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated 1 tablespoon dry sherry Preparation In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, five spice powder, ginger, and sherry. Place the chicken in a large plastic or ceramic container with a lid, and pour the marinade over all the pieces, turning until all the pieces are coated evenly. Cover and marinate for at least 1 hour, but preferably several hours (up to overnight). Once marinaded, bake chicken in a 375F oven (basting once or twice) for about 45 minutes or until done. Variations and Substitutions For a leaner recipe, opt for boneless and skinless chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs. Note that this will change the fat count of the recipe and you may need to adjust the cooking time. If you prefer, you can also use two fresh cloves of garlic (pressed or minced) in place of the garlic powder. While this recipe calls for baking the chicken, it's also delicious when grilled. Cooking and Serving Tips A favorite side dish for this chicken is an Asian broccoli stir fry. Save any leftover chicken in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to three days. Rate this Recipe You've already rated this recipe. Thanks for your rating! 1 Source Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Bi X, Soong YY, Lim SW, Henry CJ. Evaluation of antioxidant capacity of Chinese five-spice ingredients. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2015;66(3):289-292. doi:10.3109/09637486.2015.1007452 By Laura Dolson Laura Dolson is a health and food writer who develops low-carb and gluten-free recipes for home cooks. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit