Lightly battered crispy salt and pepper chicken with a chilli twist. These crispy bites are fantastic as a savoury snack or serve over rice as a delicious meal. Especially great with a Chinese tea or a can of cold drink. You can find salt and chilli chicken in all most all Chinese restaurants and takeout in UK. Its usually serve over a stir fry noodle or a steamed rice.
I love this dish when it is fresh cook, over a bed of steam rice. No one can resist the ultimate combination of aromatic spices and crisp chicken pieces and vegetables. Everyone who has tried this dish can tell you how tasty and addictive it can be. If you haven't try yet, I highly recommend to try at home.
When you make at home you can customize just how much spices, chilli and vegetables you want. Learn our simple tips and make your own salt and chilli chicken better than restaurant. You will find it much easier than you have imagined.
I've learned this recipe from our Chef, the time we used to open takeaway shop in London. My recipe is not exactly same like he used to make because I add some extra chilli and make some adjustment according to my taste. My friends and family really enjoyed this recipe whenever I make at home.
WHAT MAKES CRISPY SALT AND CHILLI CHICKEN SO SPECIAL:
- A perfect crowd pleasing dish, party snack, starter or go-to main meal.
- Outside batter is so light and super crispy, but the inner meat is so juicy and tender.
- So satisfying and addictive. Unstoppable to take another bite!
4 SIMPLE STEPS TO MAKE PERFECT SALT AND CHILLI CHICKEN:
You need only 4 simple steps to make this restaurant style dish.
- Marinate the chicken pieces with soy sauce, garlic, baking soda and sesame oil.
- Coat with corn starch to make it extra-crunchy coating.
- Deep fry until crispy golden brown.
- Toss with vegetables and seasoning spice mix.
Crispy Salt and Chilli Chicken
Ingredients
- 250 g Boneless chicken thigh
- 1 cup Corn starch (flour)
- ½ Sweet onion ( cut thin slices )
- ½ Green pepper ( cut thin slices )
- 2-3 Dry red chillies ( cut half and deseeded )
- 1 tsp Crushed chilli flakes
- 1 Fresh red Chilli ( cut thin slices )
- 2 Spring onions ( cut thin slices )
- 2-3 Garlic cloves ( chopped or sliced )
- Oil for frying ( Sunflower, canola, peanut or any neutral flavoured vegetable oil )
Marinade for chicken
- 1 tbsp Soy sauce
- 1 tsp Sesame oil
- ¼ tsp white pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic paste (finely grated garlic)
- ¼ tsp Baking Soda
Spice Mix
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper powder
- ¼ tsp Chinese five spices
- ¼ tsp Chicken powder (optional)
Instructions
- First of all, cut the chicken thigh into small bite size pieces. Mix the chicken pieces well with the soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic paste and baking soda. Set aside and marinate for at least 15 minutes. If you have more time you can let it sit for more time.
- Cut into half and deseed the dry red chillies. Cut all the vegetables into thin slices.
- In a small bowl, add all the spice mix ingredients, mix well and set aside.
- Coat the marinated chicken pieces with corn starch(flour). Make sure each chicken pieces separated and well coated. Toss the excess flour out before frying.
- Heat the oil to about 350°F. Deep fry the chicken pieces until crispy golden brown. Remove from oil and set aside.
- In a large wok or pan, drizzle 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, fry the garlic with medium heat for few seconds, then add the dry chilies and stir for few seconds. ( Dry chilies can burnt very quickly, you need to stir very quickly and add the next ingredients. )
- Follow with the crushed chillies and onion, pepper and fresh chilli slices. Stir well for 1 minute.
- Add the fried chicken pieces back in the wok, sprinkle the spice mix in. Toss well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Serve immediately!
- You can serve over steamed rice or stir fry noodle and make it a meal or serve on its own as a savoury snack. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you want to taste exactly like your favourite takeout, you can add chicken powder in the spice mix. But that is totally optional, you can skip it if you don't like chicken powder.
- You can adjust the amount of dry chillies, crushed chillies and fresh chilli according to your spice level.
- This recipe can serve up to 2 person as main meal Or up to 4 person as a side/appetizer.
I have many more other crispy chicken recipes that my friends and family enjoyed. You can find it here :
Bill Mac, NE England says
Made this for the first time and I have to say it is fantastic. Enjoyed by the whole family, great tasting with a nice kick of heat.
Khin says
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the recipe Bill. Thank you so much for sharing with us 😊
Lana says
This is such a gorgeous recipe however I can’t get the chicken quite as crispy as my local takeaway. Not sure what else to do hmm
Khin says
Hi Lana, thank you for trying out this recipe. If you wish to make it extra crispy, you can try the double frying method. Fry the coated chicken pieces with hot oil for 2-3 minutes then remove from oil and let it cool down for a few minutes. Then deep fry it again in hot oil for another 2-3 minutes or until crispy, then toss it with vegetables, salt, and pepper. Hope this helps
Nikki Swift says
I'm NEVER having takeout again. Such delicious recipes and so easy to make. Also very addictive! Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful recipes with us!
Khin says
You are most welcome. I am so glad that you enjoyed the recipe.
Emily says
Love this recipe, so easy and tastes amazing!!
The only issue I’ve had is that I’ve made this twice now and both times I haven’t managed to make the chicken as crispy as I’d like or as it looks in your photos, what may I be doing wrong??
Khin says
Do not overcrowd the pot and keep checking the temperature. What coating do you use? Is it corn flour or corn starch? Do not toss it for long when you mix fried chicken pieces and stir fried vegetables. Let me know if you have any question. Thank you Emily.
Dave says
Found myself craving salt and pepper chicken, my usual takeaway was closed, found this recipe tried it and it was actually amazing. so easy and crispy, will save me a fortune in the long run
Khin says
So glad that you enjoyed it Dave! Thank you so much for your feedback.
Lesley says
Is chicken powder..just chicken stock cube?
Khin says
Hi Lesley, chicken powder is a powder version of chicken stock cubes ( chicken bouillon ). Knorr or Jumbo Brand chicken powder available at Asian grocery stores.
Dave says
They are probably referring to the chicken seasoning that you buy in packets at an Asian market. If you are not a fan of msg you can get away with using a bouillon or stock cubes although they dont pack the punch of the packet powder
libby says
IT WAS SO GOOD AND DELCIOUS
libby says
very good!
Linda says
My favourite dish of all time.
Anne Mcluckie says
Made this last night and it tastes exactly the same as a takeaway.. Highly recommend this recipe.
Khin says
Yayy! So happy to hear Anne. Thank you so much for trying out and sharing comment for us. This means a lot.
Al says
Tried this tonight, and it was absolutely delicious! Added the chicken power to the spice mix for that "take away" flavour and it did just thay. Certainly adding this to my recipe book 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Christine says
Making this agin for the Third time my family love it , i have add a bit of the 5 spice to the marinade,
thanks KHIN
Cait says
Just made this! Amazing and by far my favourite recipe for this dish. Thanks khin
Khin says
My pleasure Cait! So glad that you enjoyed it!
mamie callinan says
What a dish.
Easy to make using the clear instructions. This dish had the taste buds bursting. Highly recommend this to anyone and everyone. Well done Khin and thank you for sharing. Looking forward to trying the next recipe.
Khin says
So happy to hear Mamie! Thank you so much for trying out this salt and chilli chicken recipe!
Shazzy says
Literally just finished eating this 5 minutes ago. Oh my god it was delicious. Tongue has a little tingle going on but I’m Scottish so chillis don’t appear in much of our food to be fair. Thank you so much for the recipe!
Khin says
Happy that you enjoyed Shazzy! Thank you so much for taking time and leaving lovely feedback.