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Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken

Takeout salt and pepper chicken that's actually crispy. The five-spice is what makes it taste like the restaurant version - not just regular fried chicken with pepper.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice powder
  • 6 skinless chicken thigh fillets cut into quarters
  • 1 cup canola oil divided
  • 1 onion peeled and cut into large chunks
  • 1 red chili chopped into small pieces
  • 1 green chili chopped into small pieces
  • 2 garlic cloves peeled and minced
  • 3 spring onions scallions, roughly chopped

Instructions

  • Mix cornstarch, salt, pepper, and five-spice in bowl.
  • Coat chicken pieces in seasoned cornstarch mixture.
  • Heat oil in large pan over high heat until bubbling.
  • Fry chicken in batches 5-7 minutes until golden brown and 165F internal. Drain on paper towels.
  • In separate pan, heat 1 tbsp oil over medium-high.
  • Stir-fry onion and chilis 2-3 minutes until softened.
  • Add garlic and spring onions, cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add fried chicken to aromatics pan, toss 1 minute to combine.
  • Serve immediately with steamed rice.