The Easy Soy Sauce–Braised Chicken Dinner My Family Requests All the Time

Name: The Easy Soy Sauce–Braised Chicken Dinner My Family Requests All the Time
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use half as much by volume; 1/4 teaspoon MSG, such as Aji-no-moto; 1 1/2 teaspoon five spice powder, divided; 6 tablespoons dark brown sugar (about 3 1/2 ounces; 90g), divided; 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper; 2 pounds (906g) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs; 2 tablespoons (30ml) neutral oil, such as vegetable; 8 scallions (5 1/2 ounces; 150g), green and white parts cut into 2-inch segments; One 2-inch piece ginger (1 ounce; 30g), peeled and thinly sliced; 5 medium cloves garlic (25g); 3 star anise; One 2-inch piece cassia bark or cinnamon stick; 1/4 cup (120ml) light soy sauce; 1/4 cup (60ml) Shaoxing wine; 1 1/2 cups (355ml) water