Salt and Pepper Chicken Air Fryer Recipe – Healthy & Crispy

At Eminent Recipes, cooking is all about creating comforting, easy-to-make dishes that bring family and friends together. From quick weeknight meals to indulgent special-occasion recipes, I love sharing dishes that are both flavorful and approachable. This salt and pepper chicken recipe is a perfect example it combines simple ingredients with bold flavors, delivering a crispy, satisfying meal that anyone can enjoy at home, whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or yourself.

Salt and Pepper Chicken

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: ~45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

A popular Chinese-style fried chicken dish featuring crispy, golden chicken pieces tossed with a fragrant mix of salt, pepper, garlic, and chili. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or main course, this recipe can be made using deep frying or an air fryer for a healthier version.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (for 4 servings):

For the Chicken:

• 1 lb (450 g) boneless chicken thighs or wings, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon rice wine or dry sherry (optional)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon white pepper
• ½ cup cornstarch or potato starch
• Oil for deep frying or air frying

For the Seasoning:

•  1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1–2 fresh red chilies, thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional, balances flavor)
• 1–2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:
Step 1: Marinate Chicken
In a bowl, mix chicken with soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper. Marinate for 20–30 minutes.

Step 2: Coat Chicken
Toss marinated chicken in cornstarch or potato starch until evenly coated. Shake off excess.

Step 3: Cook Chicken
For deep frying: Heat oil to 350–375°F (175–190°C). Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and crispy, 4–6 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels.
For air frying: Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray chicken with oil and cook 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway through.

Step 4: Prepare Seasoning
In a small pan, briefly sauté garlic and chilies in a teaspoon of oil until fragrant.

Step 5: Toss Chicken
Immediately toss hot chicken with sautéed garlic, chilies, salt, white pepper, and sugar. Garnish with chopped green onions.

Notes

• Double-fry chicken for extra crunch.
• Adjust chili amount for preferred spice level.
• Serve immediately for best texture; leftover chicken can become soggy.
• Can be made with wings, drumettes, or boneless chicken pieces.

• Prep Time: 20–30 minutes
• Cook Time: 12–15 minutes (air fryer) / 20–25 minutes (deep fry)
• Category: Appetizer / Main Course
• Method: Fried / Air Fried
• Cuisine: Chinese

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Salt and pepper chicken is more than just a snack; it’s a versatile, family-friendly dish that fits any occasion. Quick to prepare and packed with flavor, it combines crispy golden chicken with aromatic garlic, chili, and perfectly balanced seasonings. Whether you’re making easy weeknight dinners or serving appetizers for guests, this salt and pepper chicken recipe delivers a satisfying crunch and bold taste. It’s customizable, simple, and sure to become a favorite in your home kitchen.

Ingredients for This Recipe

This salt and pepper chicken recipe uses a simple combination of fresh and pantry ingredients to create that irresistible crispy texture and bold flavor. Boneless chicken thighs or wings provide tender, juicy meat, while cornstarch ensures crunch. Seasonings like garlic, fresh chilies, salt, and white pepper give it the classic Chinese-style flavor. Soy sauce and sesame oil add depth and umami, making this dish perfectly balanced, easy to make, and suitable for any occasion.

🛒 Ingredients (for 4 servings)

For the Chicken:
1 lb (450 g) boneless chicken thighs or wings, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice wine or dry sherry (optional)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon white pepper
½ cup cornstarch or potato starch
Oil for deep frying or air frying

For the Seasoning:
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
1–2 fresh red chilies, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon sugar (optional, balances flavor)
1–2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)

How to Make This Recipe

Making salt and pepper chicken starts with marinating the chicken in soy sauce, sesame oil, and spices to infuse flavor. After coating the pieces in cornstarch for that signature crunch, the chicken is cooked using either deep frying or an air fryer for a healthier option. While the chicken cooks, sauté garlic and chilies to create a fragrant seasoning mix. Toss the hot chicken with the seasoning, garnish with green onions, and serve immediately for maximum crispiness and flavor.

🛒 Steps:
Step 1: Marinate chicken in soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper for 20–30 minutes.
Step 2: Coat chicken pieces in cornstarch or potato starch.
Step 3: Fry in hot oil at 350–375°F (175–190°C) until golden brown or air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes.
Step 4: Sauté garlic and chilies in a small pan until fragrant.
Step 5: Toss cooked chicken with garlic, chilies, salt, and white pepper. Garnish with green onions.
Step 6: Serve hot for crispy, flavorful salt and pepper chicken.

Expert Cooking Tips

For the crispiest salt and pepper chicken, double-fry the chicken or ensure the air fryer is preheated to high temperature. Using cornstarch or potato starch instead of flour creates a light, crunchy coating. Fresh chilies and garlic add aromatic depth, while white pepper and salt balance the flavor perfectly. Adjust the seasoning to taste, and serve immediately to maintain crunch. This recipe is versatile and can be made with wings, drumettes, or boneless chicken pieces for easy customization.

💡 Expert Tips:

• Double-fry chicken for extra crunch
• Use cornstarch for light, crispy coating
• Adjust chili amount for preferred spice level
• Serve immediately to retain texture
• Works with wings, drumettes, or boneless pieces
• Marinate chicken at least 20 minutes for maximum flavor

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This salt and pepper chicken recipe is a flavorful, quick, and family-friendly dish that delivers crispy, aromatic bites every time. Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions, it’s easy to make, customizable, and sure to impress anyone at your table. With simple ingredients and expert tips, you can recreate this Chinese-style favorite at home, enjoying bold flavors and satisfying crunch in every bite.