Once the salt and pepper chicken is fried, you’ll be greeted by its irresistible golden appearance and the tender texture of the meat inside that will make your mouth water. When you take a bite, you’ll be conquered by the crunchy sensation and the rich flavors. Each mouthful is filled with the delightful taste of saltiness and a mild spiciness, making it truly unforgettable.
Ingredients for Salt and Pepper Chicken
| Chicken | half |
| Salt | 2g |
| Pepper powder | 2g |
| Cooking wine | 10g |
| Light soy sauce | 8g |
| Green pricklyash | 7g |
| Ginger | 10g |
| Green onion | 12g |
| Starch | 10g |
| Flour | 18g |
| Salt and pepper powder | 3g |
| Chili powder | 2g |
steps ：
1.First, prepare the ingredients. Clean half a chicken, remove the claws, and chop it into evenly sized small pieces. Place the chicken in a bowl filled with water. After washing, remove the chicken from the water and pat dry for marination.
2.In the bowl, add 2 grams of salt, 2 grams of ground black pepper, 10 grams of cooking wine, and 8 grams of light soy sauce. Add a pinch of Sichuan peppercorns and sliced ginger. Cut a section of spring onion into horseshoe-shaped slices and add them to the bowl. Stir well to evenly coat the chicken with the marinade. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.
3.Add a handful of cornstarch and a small handful of flour to the bowl. Also, add 3 grams of seasoned salt and 2 grams of chili powder. Mix well and set aside. After the marination time is over, remove the ginger and spring onion from the chicken. Pour the prepared flour mixture into the chicken and mix thoroughly. This will help lock in the moisture inside the chicken and make it crispy on the outside and tender inside. Once the ingredients are ready, we can move on to the next step of cooking.
4.Heat an adequate amount of oil in a pan until it reaches 50% hot. Gently place the chicken pieces into the pan one by one. Fry over medium-low heat for about 2 minutes, allowing the chicken to firm up. When all the chicken pieces float to the surface and turn golden brown, remove them from the pan.
5.Increase the oil temperature to 60% hot until it starts smoking. Re-fry the chicken pieces for about 30 seconds and then remove them from the pan to drain excess oil. This step ensures that the chicken is fully cooked and the surface becomes crispy. Finally, place the fried chicken in a serving dish and it is ready to be enjoyed.
Tips
1.Marination Time: Make sure to give the chicken pieces sufficient marination time, usually recommended for 10-15 minutes. This allows the flavors to fully penetrate the meat and enhance the taste.
2.Uniform Coating of Seasonings: Before coating the chicken with cornstarch and flour, ensure that the seasonings, seasoned salt, and chili powder are evenly sprinkled onto the chicken pieces. This ensures consistent flavors in every piece.
3.Oil Control Techniques: After frying the chicken, it is important to drain off excess oil. You can use a sieve or absorb the excess oil with kitchen paper. This helps reduce greasiness and improves the texture.
Regardless of whether it’s enjoyed as a snack or as part of a main course, salt and pepper chicken can provide unparalleled satisfaction and delight. It is more than just a culinary masterpiece; it is an indulgence. When savoring salt and pepper chicken, you will experience that distinctive flavor, as if transported to a realm of gastronomic bliss.