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Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 756 reviews

Salt and Pepper Chicken is a flavorful, crispy Chinese-inspired dish featuring tender bite-sized chicken pieces marinated in a savory mixture, coated in cornstarch, and deep-fried to golden perfection. Finished with a simple sprinkle of salt, pepper, and fresh green onions, it delivers a perfect balance of crunch and aromatic seasoning, ideal as an appetizer or main course.

Ingredients

Scale

Marinade

  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 2 tsp Brown Sugar
  • 2 Tbsp Water
  • 1 Tbsp Rice Wine
  • 1/4 tsp Baking Soda
  • 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 3 cloves Garlic, minced

Chicken Coating

  • 1 lb Chicken Breast, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 Egg
  • 3/4 cup Cornstarch

Seasoning and Garnish

  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper
  • 2 Tbsp Green Onions, chopped
  • Vegetable Oil, for frying

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Marinade: Mix all marinade ingredients including salt, brown sugar, water, rice wine, baking soda, soy sauce, and minced garlic in a large bowl until well combined. Add chicken pieces to the marinade and stir to coat well. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
  2. Coat the Chicken: In a separate bowl, beat the egg with a fork. Drain excess marinade from the chicken, then toss the chicken pieces in the beaten egg until fully coated.
  3. Add Cornstarch Coating: Transfer the egg-coated chicken into a bowl with cornstarch. Toss thoroughly to ensure every piece is completely covered with a thin, even layer of cornstarch for optimum crispiness.
  4. Deep-Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a wok over medium-high heat. Use enough oil to fully submerge the chicken pieces. Once the oil is hot, fry the chicken in batches, cooking each until golden brown and cooked through on all sides. Remove fried chicken with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Repeat until all chicken is fried.
  5. Combine and Season: Drain the oil from the wok, then return all the fried chicken back into the wok. Toss the chicken over heat just to warm evenly. Remove from heat and immediately sprinkle with salt and pepper, tossing to distribute the seasoning. Garnish with chopped green onions before serving.

Notes

  • Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to achieve a crispy texture; test by dropping a small bit of cornstarch into the oil—it should sizzle immediately.
  • Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can lower oil temperature and result in soggy chicken.
  • Drain excess marinade before coating in egg to prevent the batter from becoming too wet.
  • This recipe works well with other cuts such as chicken thighs for juicier results.
  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of chili powder or five-spice powder to the seasoning mixture.

Keywords: Salt and Pepper Chicken, Chinese fried chicken, crispy chicken, marinated chicken, Asian appetizer, fried chicken recipe

Find it online: https://lieblingsmahlzeit.com/salt-and-pepper-chicken-recipe/