Salt and Pepper Crispy Chicken is a deliciously crispy and juicy dish that combines the perfect balance of salty and spicy flavors. The crispy texture on the outside and the juicy chicken inside make this dish absolutely irresistible. It’s a classic Chinese recipe that’s simple to make at home and is perfect for a weeknight dinner or as a snack paired with a cold drink. This dish is sure to be a family favorite!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
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1 tbsp light soy sauce
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1 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
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1 tbsp garlic, grated
For the Salt and Pepper Mix:
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1 tbsp Sichuan peppercorns
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1 tbsp black peppercorns
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1 tbsp sea salt
Other Ingredients:
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400g (14 oz) chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
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1 cup cornstarch
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1 tsp baking powder
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1 medium onion, diced
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2 red Thai chilies, chopped
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2 green onions, sliced
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3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
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2 tbsp vegetable oil (for cooking)
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Oil for frying
Directions
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Marinate the Chicken:
In a large bowl, mix the chicken with light soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, and garlic. Let it marinate for 10-15 minutes. -
Prepare the Salt and Pepper Mix:
Toast the Sichuan peppercorns and black peppercorns in a frying pan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Use a mortar and pestle to grind them into a fine powder. Add sea salt and mix well. -
Coat the Chicken:
In another large bowl, combine cornstarch and baking powder. Add the marinated chicken and mix well, ensuring each piece is coated with the cornstarch. Shake off any excess. -
Fry the Chicken:
Heat enough oil in a wok or deep fryer to submerge the chicken pieces. Check the oil temperature with a wooden chopstick; when small bubbles rise quickly, the oil is ready. Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels. -
Cook the Vegetables:
In a clean wok, heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and stir fry for about 15 seconds until fragrant. Add diced onions and stir for 2 minutes until softened. Then add the red Thai chilies and green onions, and stir-fry for another 1 minute. Add about 1 tsp of the salt and pepper mix and stir well. -
Assemble the Dish:
Add the fried chicken pieces into the wok and mix everything together. Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt and pepper mix if necessary. -
Serve:
Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with extra green onions and salt and pepper mix. Serve immediately!
Nutrients
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Calories: Approximately 450-500 kcal per serving
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Fat: 30-35g
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Saturated Fat: 5-7g
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Cholesterol: 90-110mg
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Sodium: 700-900mg
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Total Carbohydrates: 30-35g
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Sugars: 5-7g
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Protein: 25-30g
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Vitamin A: 10% of the daily value
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Vitamin C: 20% of the daily value
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Calcium: 4-6% of the daily value
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Iron: 8-10% of the daily value
Why Salt and Pepper Crispy Chicken is So Irresistible
The magic of Salt and Pepper Crispy Chicken lies in its texture and the perfect balance of flavors. The crispy coating, achieved by deep frying the chicken, provides a satisfying crunch that contrasts wonderfully with the tender and juicy chicken inside. The marinade, which includes light soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, and garlic, imparts a deep savory flavor that penetrates the chicken. Once fried, the chicken is seasoned with a salt and pepper mix, featuring Sichuan peppercorns and black peppercorns, which bring a unique, aromatic spice that is both bold and complex.
The addition of Thai chilies, onions, and green onions provides not only color but also layers of flavor, making every bite a delightful experience. The salty, spicy, and savory components come together to create a dish that is bursting with flavor in every bite. Whether eaten alone or paired with a refreshing drink, Salt and Pepper Crispy Chicken is an unforgettable treat.
The Role of Sichuan Peppercorns in the Dish
A key element of this recipe is the use of Sichuan peppercorns. These peppercorns are known for their unique flavor profile, offering a numbing sensation on the tongue, a characteristic known as “mala” in Chinese cuisine. This numbing effect, combined with the heat from the black peppercorns and Thai chilies, creates an exciting and complex flavor profile that is a hallmark of Sichuan-style cooking. The Sichuan peppercorns bring a refreshing heat that is more intense than traditional black pepper, offering a burst of flavor that enhances the overall dish.
By toasting the peppercorns and grinding them into a fine powder, you unlock their full potential, allowing them to infuse the chicken with their distinctive flavor. The combination of Sichuan peppercorns and black pepper creates a spiced heat that adds depth to the dish without overpowering the other flavors.
The Perfect Marinade for Tender Chicken
The marinade for this dish, which includes soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine, and garlic, is an essential step for ensuring that the chicken is flavorful and tender. The soy sauce adds a salty umami flavor, while the Chinese cooking wine imparts a slightly sweet, aromatic undertone that enhances the overall taste. The garlic adds a savory depth that complements the other ingredients, while the marinating process allows the flavors to penetrate the chicken.
Allowing the chicken to marinate for at least 10-15 minutes helps to infuse the meat with the flavors, ensuring that every piece of chicken is well-seasoned. This step is essential for balancing the saltiness of the soy sauce and the richness of the garlic, giving the chicken a deliciously savory base before it is fried to crispy perfection.
The Crispy Coating
The cornstarch and baking powder mixture is responsible for the crispy coating that makes Salt and Pepper Crispy Chicken so delightful. When fried, the cornstarch creates a light, crisp exterior that locks in the chicken’s moisture, resulting in a crunchy shell that contrasts beautifully with the juicy chicken inside. The addition of baking powder helps to make the coating even lighter and airier, ensuring that the texture is as delicate as it is crispy.
The key to achieving the perfect crispiness is in the frying process. The chicken pieces must be fried in batches, ensuring that each piece has enough room to cook evenly and develop a golden, crispy exterior. The frying time is short—about 3-4 minutes—so that the chicken remains tender and juicy on the inside, while the outside achieves the perfect crunch.
The Vegetables: Onions, Green Onions, and Thai Chilies
In addition to the crispy chicken, the dish is enhanced with sautéed vegetables like onions, green onions, and Thai chilies. The onions add a mild sweetness and depth of flavor, while the green onions provide a fresh, slightly sharp bite that balances the richness of the fried chicken. The Thai chilies bring heat, adding a spicy kick that complements the peppercorns and rounds out the flavor profile.
The vegetables are sautéed quickly to soften them and release their natural flavors. They’re then tossed with the fried chicken and seasoned with the salt and pepper mix. The combination of vegetables with the crispy chicken creates a vibrant, flavorful dish that’s as visually appealing as it is tasty.
Frying and the Art of Deep Frying
Frying is the key to achieving the signature crispy texture of Salt and Pepper Crispy Chicken. Deep frying the chicken pieces in hot oil ensures that the coating becomes golden and crispy while the chicken cooks through. The oil temperature should be maintained at around 350°F to ensure that the chicken fries evenly and doesn’t absorb too much oil. To check if the oil is at the right temperature, dip a wooden chopstick into the oil—if small bubbles quickly form around it, the oil is ready.
The chicken should be fried in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which could result in uneven cooking and less crispy chicken. Frying the chicken for 3-4 minutes ensures that the exterior becomes crisp while the interior remains moist and tender. After frying, draining the chicken on paper towels helps to remove any excess oil, ensuring that the finished dish is light and crispy.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Salt and Pepper Crispy Chicken can be served as a main dish or as a tasty snack. It pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes, including steamed rice, sautéed greens, or a simple cucumber salad to balance out the heat and richness of the chicken. For a more substantial meal, serve it with a bowl of miso soup or a hot and sour soup to complement the flavors of the dish.
To drink, this dish pairs well with a cold beverage, such as iced tea or a crisp beer, which helps to cut through the richness of the fried chicken and enhances the overall eating experience. The combination of salty, spicy, and crispy flavors makes this dish a great accompaniment to light, refreshing drinks.
Why This Dish is a Family Favorite
Salt and Pepper Crispy Chicken is a crowd-pleasing dish that is sure to be loved by both adults and children. The combination of crispy chicken, aromatic spices, and fresh vegetables makes it a flavorful meal that everyone can enjoy. It’s a dish that’s easy to make at home and is perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something quick, flavorful, and satisfying. Whether served on its own or as part of a larger spread, this dish is versatile and can be paired with many other sides to suit your family’s tastes.
Conclusion
Salt and Pepper Crispy Chicken is a perfect blend of flavors and textures, offering a crispy exterior and juicy interior with a delightful combination of salty and spicy elements. This dish brings together the bold flavors of Sichuan peppercorns, black pepper, and Thai chilies, creating a complex and satisfying taste. The marinated chicken is fried to golden perfection and paired with sautéed vegetables for an added depth of flavor. Whether enjoyed as a weeknight dinner or a snack with drinks, this dish is a versatile, easy-to-make, and utterly delicious treat that’s sure to become a family favorite.