FIVE-SPICE BBQ CHICKEN WITH CUCUMBER SALAD

Five-Spice BBQ Chicken with Cucumber Salad image

Five-spice powder, a Chinese pantry staple consisting of cinnamon, cloves, fennel, star anise and Sichuan peppercorns, is used in both a flavorful rub and sweet-and-savory hoisin sauce for this grilled chicken. Crisp cucumbers dressed in a sesame-ginger vinaigrette complete the dish.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

4 teaspoons vegetable oil, plus more for brushing
2 teaspoons packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons five-spice powder
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
2 chicken halves (3 1/2 to 4 pounds total)
3 1/4 teaspoons grated ginger
1 teaspoon grated garlic
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar (not seasoned)
3 1/2 teaspoons honey
1 1/4 teaspoons sesame oil
6 small cucumbers, cut into 2-inch spears

Steps:

Prepare a grill for indirect heat: For gas, preheat to medium high, then turn off the burners on one side and turn the other burners to medium low. For charcoal, once the coals ash over, push them to one side.
Mix 2 teaspoons vegetable oil, the brown sugar, 1 teaspoon five-spice powder, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Rub on the chicken. Grill skin-side down over direct heat until marked, about 5 minutes. Flip and move to the cooler side of the grill; cover and cook until a thermometer registers 165 degrees F in the thigh, 30 to 40 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add 3 teaspoons ginger, the garlic and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder and cook 2 minutes. Add the hoisin sauce, 1 tablespoon vinegar and 3 teaspoons honey; cook 1 minute. Remove from the heat and add 1 teaspoon sesame oil.
Toss the cucumbers with the remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon honey, 1/4 teaspoon each sesame oil and ginger, and salt to taste. Top the chicken with the sauce. Serve with the cucumbers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 531, Fat 29 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Cholesterol 142 milligrams, Sodium 1159 milligrams, Carbohydrate 23 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 46 grams