Grilled glazed five-spice chicken is sweet, tangy, and brimming with flavor.
Chicken on the grill is a staple at our house during the summer. Variety is the key to keeping the meals from being boring. Lemon garlic chicken is an all-purpose recipe that goes with anything. This tequila lime version could be made into tacos or rice bowls.
Elements
Chicken Breast: We use one large chicken breast, sliced in half. Chicken thighs would also be delicious.
Five Spice Powder: I love the flavor of five-spice powder. It was first used in this chicken green bean stir-fry. Since then, I have used it for flavorful sheet-pan dinners and even glazed carrots! I currently have this brand.
Orange Juice or Pineapple Juice: Either orange juice or pineapple juice makes a delicious base for the glaze.
Soy Sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory, salty element to balance the sweet flavors.
Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness.
Ketchup: Adds a tangy flavor and makes the sauce a little thicker for easier glazing.
Ginger & Garlic: Either fresh or ground ginger and garlic will work here. Fresh is always delicious, but the powdered varieties blend nicely into the glaze.
Preparation
Slice your chicken breast in half. Rub the chicken all over with the five-spice powder. The chicken can be grilled immediately or placed in the refrigerator for a few hours to wait for dinner. The flavor works itself nicely into the chicken either way.
In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients to make the glaze.
Add the chicken to your preheated grill. Sear the chicken on both sides on direct heat. Pull the chicken off the direct heat to finish. Use a small brush to start the glazing process once the chicken is off the direct heat. The sweet glaze would burn if we were to glaze the chicken immediately after placing it on the grill. Brush the chicken on both sides to completely coat the chicken.
Let the grilled glazed five-spice chicken rest for a few minutes, then dig in. We recently enjoyed it with roasted green beans and the skillet corn recipe I shared last week.
Grilled Glazed Five-Spice Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast sliced in half
- 1 tsp five spice powder
- 2 Tbsp orange juice or pineapple juice
- 1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp fresh ginger grated
- 1 large garlic clove minced or grated
Instructions
- Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breast all over with five-spice powder. Rub the chicken to cover the whole surface. The chicken can be used immediately or rest in the refrigerator for a few hours until you are ready to grill.
- Stir together orange juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, ginger, and garlic. Set aside.
- Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side until browned and nearly cooked through. The time will depend on the thickness of the chicken. Move the chicken off the direct heat. Brush the chicken with the marinade on both sides.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes. Serve and enjoy.