Easy Salt and Pepper Chicken (30 Minutes)

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Easy Salt and Pepper Chicken (30 Minutes)

Golden chicken pieces with a lightly crispy coating, tossed with fragrant garlic, ginger, chilies, and green onions. This easy salt and pepper chicken recipe is ready in just 30 minutes without deep-frying! I let the chicken fry without moving it before flipping so it develops a light golden crust.

4.80 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Course Main Course

Cuisine Chinese

Servings

Calories per serving 250 kcal

Ingredients

1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
¼ cup cornstarch
⅓ cup vegetable oil or any neutral oil
1 teaspoon ginger thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves minced
1 large red chilli sliced
1 green onion finely chopped
½ teaspoon white granulated sugar
¾ tablespoon Shaoxing Cooking Wine or dry sherry

Chicken Marinade

1 tablespoon Shaoxing Cooking Wine or dry sherry
½ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Dice the chicken thighs into 1.5-inch pieces and transfer to a large bowl. Add the marinade ingredients, toss well, and marinate for 10-15 minutes.
Add the cornstarch to the marinated chicken and toss until evenly coated. Add 1-2 tablespoons more cornstarch if needed to cover any bare spots.
Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat to 350°F. Fry the chicken for 5-7 minutes total, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Let a golden crust form before flipping, then continue frying until the chicken is golden and lightly crisp and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Transfer the fried chicken to a wire rack to drain. If frying in batches, remove any browned bits and let the oil return to 350°F before adding the next batch.
Carefully remove excess oil, leaving 2 teaspoons in the pan. Reduce to low heat and let the pan cool slightly. Add the ginger, garlic, chili, green onions, and sugar. Sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant.
Return the chicken to the pan and add the Shaoxing wine. Toss briefly to combine, then remove from the heat. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste, if needed. Serve immediately.

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