Easy Salt and Pepper Chicken (30 Minutes)
Craving crispy chicken without the hassle of deep-frying? This easy salt and pepper chicken is ready in just 30 minutes. Every bite is crispy, juicy, savory, and loaded with fragrant peppers.
Ingredients
- 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 large red chilli chopped
- 1 teaspoon ginger thinly sliced
- 1 green onion finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon white granulated sugar
- ¾ tablespoon Shaoxing Cooking Wine
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil or any neutral oil
- ¼ cup cornstarch
Chicken Marinade
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing Cooking Wine
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Dice the chicken thighs into 1.5-inch pieces and transfer to a large bowl. Toss with all the listed marinade ingredients and marinate for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add the cornstarch to the marinated chicken and toss until evenly coated. If any areas remain uncoated, add 1 to 2 tablespoons more cornstarch as needed. Shake off any excess cornstarch before frying.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat to 350°F. Fry the chicken in small batches for 5 to 7 minutes total, leaving it undisturbed until a golden crust forms before flipping. Fry until golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer the fried chicken to a wire cooling rack to drain. Between batches, remove any browned bits and let the oil return to 350°F before frying the next batch.
- Leave 2 teaspoons of oil in the pan and reduce to low heat. Sauté the ginger, garlic, chili, green onions, and sugar for 30 to 45 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the chicken and splash with Shaoxing wine. Toss quickly to combine, then remove from the heat. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste, if needed.
Enjoyed my recipe?Please leave a 5 star review (be kind)! Tag me on social media @christieathome as I'd love to see your creations!
Suggested Equipment & Products
Nutrition
Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 526mg | Potassium: 458mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 222IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg