Looking for a quick and tasty dish for lunch or dinner? Salt and Pepper Chicken is a great option! This delicious dish can be made very easily with just a few common ingredients. Just imagine the taste when the crispy fried chicken pieces are combined with the light spiciness of salt and pepper! In this post, we will see how you can easily make perfect Salt and Pepper Chicken at home.
Method
Preparing the Chicken
First, I diced the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces and placed them in a bowl. To give them that crispy, light coating, I dusted the chicken with cornflour and made sure each piece was evenly coated. This step is key to getting that classic crispy texture we all love in salt and pepper chicken.
Cooking the Chicken
In a large frying pan, I heated some spray oil over medium-high heat. Once the pan was hot, I added the coated chicken pieces, making sure they weren’t overcrowded so they could crisp up properly. I let the chicken cook without moving it too much, allowing a nice golden crust to form. After a few minutes, I flipped the pieces to ensure they were evenly cooked. Once they turned a beautiful golden brown and were cooked through, I transferred them to a plate and set them aside.
Stir-Frying the Vegetables and Making the Sauce
Using the same pan, I added a little more spray oil and tossed in half of the diced onion, red pepper, and green pepper, along with the crushed garlic. I sautéed everything until the vegetables softened slightly but still had a bit of crunch. Then, it was time to add the sauce! I poured in the rice vinegar, soy sauce, chili jam, honey, and the pack of chili garlic sauce, stirring everything together. As the sauce thickened and turned sticky, I added the cooked chicken back into the pan, stirring well to coat each piece in the flavorful sauce.
Preparing the Salt and Pepper Chips
While the chicken was cooking, I had my air fryer going with freshly cut potatoes. I let them cook for about 25 minutes until they were golden and crispy. Meanwhile, I used a wok to stir-fry the remaining half of the onion, red pepper, and green pepper with a splash of soy sauce. Once the chips were done, I tossed them into the wok, adding another splash of soy sauce and a sprinkle of my homemade salt and pepper seasoning. I stirred everything together, making sure the chips were evenly coated in the delicious seasoning blend.
Final Touches and Plating
To bring it all together, I served the crispy salt and pepper chicken alongside the seasoned chips, some Mayflower curry sauce, and a side of broccoli. For an extra punch of flavor, I sprinkled a little more salt and pepper seasoning on top just before serving. The result? A homemade Chinese-inspired dish that’s packed with flavor, has the perfect crunch, and is sure to satisfy any takeaway cravings!
Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Large frying pan or wok
- Mixing bowls
- Air fryer (or oven if preferred)
- Measuring spoons
- Sharp knife
- Chopping board
Ingredients
- Chicken:
- 320 g diced chicken breast
- 1 diced onion save half for the chips
- 1 diced red and green pepper save half for the chips
- 2 crushed garlic cloves
- 2 chopped spring onions
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- Spray oil
- Sauce:
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp chili jam
- 1 tbsp honey
- Small pack of chili garlic sauce
- Salt and Pepper Seasoning:
- This makes extra, so store it for next time!
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp sweetener
- 0.5 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp chili flakes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp white pepper
- 0.5 tsp Chinese five-spice
- Chips:
- 2 medium potatoes cut into chips
- Spray oil
- Splash of soy sauce
Instructions
- Coat the Chicken: Add your diced chicken to a bowl with cornflour. Give it a good mix to ensure all pieces are evenly coated.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large frying pan with some spray oil. Add the chicken and let it cook without moving too much. Once golden and cooked through, set it aside.
- Prepare the Veggies: In the same pan, fry the diced peppers, onion, and garlic until softened.
- Make the Sauce: Once the veggies are soft, add the rice vinegar, soy sauce, chili jam, honey, and chili garlic sauce. Let it simmer until it turns sticky.
- Combine: Stir the cooked chicken into the sauce, ensuring it’s well coated in all that deliciousness!
- Prepare the Chips: While the chicken is cooking, add the cut potatoes to your air fryer. Cook at 200°C for about 25 minutes, shaking halfway through.
- Season the Chips: In a wok, fry the remaining diced onion and peppers with a splash of soy sauce. Once the chips are done, toss them into the wok with a sprinkle of the salt and pepper seasoning.
- Serve: Plate up the chicken and chips with a side of broccoli and a spoonful of Mayflower curry sauce.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair this dish with a side of egg-fried rice for a complete meal.
- Add a fresh cucumber salad to balance out the spice.
- Drizzle extra soy sauce or sweet chili sauce if you like it saucier.
Fun Fact
Did you know that salt and pepper dishes are a Cantonese creation, often found in Hong Kong street food stalls? The seasoning mix gives that bold, addictive flavor we all love!
Conclusion
This Salt and Pepper Chicken recipe is a game-changer! It’s easy, flavorful, and tastes like your favorite takeaway—if not better! Plus, you can customize it to suit your spice tolerance and dietary needs. Give it a go, and let me know how it turns out! Happy cooking!
FAQ’s
What is Salt and Pepper Chicken?
This is a popular dish often found in Chinese cuisine. It features crispy, fried chicken seasoned with a flavorful mix of salt, pepper, and often other spices like Chinese five-spice. It’s a flavorful alternative to typical takeout.
Can Salt and Pepper Chicken be made in an air fryer?
Yes, air fryers are a very popular method for making this dish. This is due to the air fryer’s ability to crisp the chicken using less oil.
Can Salt and Pepper Chicken be frozen and reheated?
Yes, cooked Salt and Pepper Chicken can be frozen in an airtight container. When reheating, it’s best to use a pan or an air fryer to maintain crispiness.