Salt and Pepper Chicken – A Crispy, Flavorful Dish with Bold Seasoning

Salt and Pepper Chicken is a Chinese-inspired dish that’s packed with bold, savory flavors. The chicken is marinated in a blend of soy sauce, garlic, and rice wine, then coated in a crispy cornstarch batter and fried until golden brown. Tossed in a simple yet powerful mix of salt and pepper, this dish is incredibly delicious and easy to make. It’s perfect for a weeknight meal or as part of a larger spread for family gatherings or special occasions. The combination of crispy chicken and vibrant seasoning is a flavor-packed experience.

Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  
  

• 1 egg
  
  

• ¾ cup cornstarch
  
  

• Vegetable oil (for frying)
  
  

• ½ tsp salt
  
  

• ½ tsp pepper
  
  

• 2 tbsp green onions, chopped
  
  

For the Marinade:

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
  
  

• 1 tsp salt
  
  

• 2 tsp brown sugar
  
  

• 2 tbsp water
  
  

• 1 tbsp rice wine
  
  

• ¼ tsp baking soda
  
  

• 2 tbsp soy sauce
  
  

Directions:

1. Prepare the marinade: In a large bowl, combine the garlic, salt, brown sugar, water, rice wine, baking soda, and soy sauce. Stir well to dissolve the sugar and mix the ingredients.
   
   

2. Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.
   
   

3. Prepare the coating: In a separate bowl, beat the egg with a fork. Add cornstarch to another bowl and set both aside.
   
   

4. Coat the chicken: After marinating, drain the chicken from the marinade. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg wash and then coat it thoroughly with cornstarch.
   
   

5. Fry the chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Remove from the oil and place the chicken on paper towels to drain excess oil.
   
   

6. Season and serve: After all the chicken is fried, return it to the pan. Toss the chicken in a mixture of salt and pepper, adjusting to taste. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve hot.
   
   

Nutritional Value (per serving):

• Calories: 262 kcal
  
  

• Carbohydrates: 13g
  
  

• Protein: 28g
  
  

• Fat: 12g
  
  

• Saturated Fat: 2g
  
  

• Cholesterol: 75mg
  
  

• Sodium: 911mg
  
  

• Potassium: 480mg
  
  

• Fiber: 1g
  
  

• Sugar: 3g