Authentic Salt & Pepper Chicken
Published Date: 4/16/2026
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 2 cups vegetable oil, for frying
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno pepper, sliced
- 2 scallions, chopped
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the chicken pieces, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sesame oil. Toss to coat and let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- In a separate shallow dish, whisk together the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, sea salt, black pepper, and Chinese five-spice powder.
- Dredge the marinated chicken pieces in the dry mixture, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Shake off any excess powder.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or deep skillet to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Carefully drop the chicken pieces into the hot oil in batches. Fry for 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Carefully drain the hot oil from the wok, leaving just about one tablespoon. Return the wok to medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic, sliced jalapeno, and chopped scallions. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add the fried chicken back to the wok. Toss everything together for 1 minute before serving immediately.