Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe - Went Here 8 This (2024)

By Danielle on June 3, 2019, Updated February 24, 2024 33 Comments

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This Salt and Pepper Chicken recipe uses juicy chicken thighs, copious amount of butter (or duck fat), salt and garlic, and 2 different kinds of pepper! Roasted until crispy, the chicken thighs are on the table in an hour!

Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe - Went Here 8 This (1)

This recipe was originally posted in January 2017. It has been updated with improved photos and content.

Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, these super flavorful Salt and Pepper Chicken Thighs are just SO GOOD. They are so simple to make, only have a few ingredients, and taste just absolutely delicious.

Brushed with butter or duck fat, and coated with a mixture of garlic, salt and pepper, these are the thighs you need in your life. If you've ever had salt and pepper chicken in a Chinese restaurant, this is similar to that, only better (in my opinion LOL).

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Why This Recipe Works
Step By Step Instructions
Expert Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Recipe
💬 Comments

Why This Recipe Works

Chicken thighs are rubbed with butter (or duck fat), salt, garlic and pepper before roasting.
They are roasted until the skin is nice and crispy and the meat is juicy and tender, just like this Vietnamese Chicken.
The recipe takes very little prep time, with most of the time being hands-off cooking time.
There is an option to add a sprinkle of MSG, which brings out the flavor, however is not required. The recipe is still amazing without it. Buy MSG (affiliate link).
It's sooooo easy but soooooo delicious.

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Step By Step Instructions

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place a baking rack on top and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Combine the melted butter, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl and mix to combine.

Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe - Went Here 8 This (2)

Using a brush, slather the mixture on both sides of the chicken. You can also pour it over the thighs in a bowl and mix to coat the thighs. Either method works.

Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe - Went Here 8 This (3)

If you are using the MSG, this is when you would sprinkle it on. But like I said, it is optional if you don't have or prefer not to use it.

Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe - Went Here 8 This (4)

Place the chicken in the oven and roast, 30 minutes per side. If the skin isn't crisp enough when done, place the chicken under the broiler (skin side up) for a few minutes and crisp it up. Make sure to watch it so it doesn't burn.

Top it with diced Thai green chilies and serve hot. Try serving it with some of these Chinese favorites:

Chinese Fried Rice;
Wonton Noodle Soup;
Shrimp Lo Mein;
Mongolian Beef;
Twice Cooked Pork.

Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe - Went Here 8 This (5)

Expert Tips

The MSG is optional. If you don't have it or prefer not to use it, you can leave it out. However, it does help to enhance the flavor of the chicken.
Chicken legs can be substituted for chicken thighs. Follow the same instructions.
If the skin is not crispy enough, pop it under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp it up. Watch carefully to ensure it doesn't burn.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is salt and pepper chicken spicy? The pepper used in this recipe makes the chicken slightly spicy, but not overwhelmingly spicy. You can leave the diced Thai chilies off if you prefer less spice.
Can you freeze salt and pepper chicken? Technically yes. Store it in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one month. Thaw it in the fridge overnight. Heat it in a 400 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes, until heated through. Throw it under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp the skin if desired.

Rate the recipe and leave a comment to let me know how it turned out!

Recipe

Salt and Pepper Chicken

This Salt and Pepper Chicken recipe uses juicy chicken thighs, copious amount of butter (or duck fat), salt and garlic, and 2 different kinds of pepper!

4.91 from 20 votes

Print Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Chinese

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 473kcal

Author: Danielle Wolter

Ingredients

▢ 6 chicken thighs
▢ 2 teaspoons sea salt
▢ 2 teaspoons white pepper
▢ 2 teaspoons black pepper
▢ 3 tablespoons butter (or duck fat) melted
▢ 4 cloves garlic minced
▢ ¼ teaspoon MSG (optional)
▢ 1-2 Thai chilies (diced for garnish)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, place a baking rack on top.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
Mix the melted butter (or duck fat), black and white pepper, garlic cloves and sea salt in a bowl.
Coat the chicken with the mixture.Sprinkle with MSG (optional).
Place in the oven and cook for 30 minutes on each side. If necessary, place under broiler to crisp skin.
Garnish with green onion and diced Thai chilies.

Expert Tips:

The MSG is optional. If you don't have it or prefer not to use it, you can leave it out. However, it does help to enhance the flavor of the chicken.
Chicken legs can be substituted for chicken thighs. Follow the same instructions.
If the skin is not crispy enough, pop it under the broiler for a few minutes to crisp it up. Watch carefully to ensure it doesn't burn.

Nutrition

Tried this recipe?Mention @went_here_8_this or tag #wenthere8this!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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Yap
April 14, 2020 at 7:36 am
What should the temperature in the oven be for baking 30 mins on each side?
Reply
- Danielle
  April 14, 2020 at 11:31 am
  It should be 350F.
  Reply
Catalina
June 04, 2019 at 12:48 pm

So easy and so delicious! I should make this chicken this weekend!
Reply
- Danielle
  June 04, 2019 at 5:13 pm
  You totally should 😉
  Reply
Heidy L. McCallum
June 04, 2019 at 5:10 am

I made this the other day for the family and they loved every bite of it. Followed the instructions to a T---great instructions by the way.
Reply
- Danielle
  June 04, 2019 at 5:56 am
  That's so great to hear!
  Reply
Kylee
June 03, 2019 at 8:59 pm

This looks like an absolute winner! I am always looking for new ways to make a chicken dinner, this is my next one!
Reply
- Danielle
  June 04, 2019 at 3:47 am
  Hope you love it Kylee!
  Reply
Cheese Curd In Paradise
June 03, 2019 at 4:25 pm

These look packed with flavor and so delicious! There is nothing better than well-seasoned meat, and I can't wait to give this recipe a try!
Reply
- Danielle
  June 04, 2019 at 3:47 am
  I totally agree! Thanks Ashley 🙂
  Reply
  See Also
  Spicy Slow Cooker Beef Chili Recipe - Chowhound
Ramona
June 03, 2019 at 3:03 pm

This chicken looks insane! I love it and will try it as soon as tomorrow. I do not have the MSG so will skip that - I cannot wait, yummm.
Reply
- Danielle
  June 04, 2019 at 3:47 am
  Hope you love it Ramona!
  Reply
Vanessa
June 03, 2019 at 2:14 pm

This is such a great chicken to serve with a really flavorful side. It's so simple but really a star!
Reply
- Danielle
  June 04, 2019 at 3:46 am
  Thanks Vanessa!
  Reply
Toni
June 03, 2019 at 6:40 am

I really love how tasty this is! I can't wait to make it again!
Reply
- Danielle
  June 03, 2019 at 10:17 am
  So glad you liked it Toni!
  Reply
Kelly Anthony
June 03, 2019 at 6:15 am

I love that I can make one of my favorite restaurant meals at home. Cheaper and tastier sounds great to me!
Reply
- Danielle
  June 03, 2019 at 10:17 am
  Right? Plus you can eat it in you PJs!
  Reply
Heidy L. McCallum
June 03, 2019 at 6:04 am

This was a great recipe, we tried it the other day and it came out perfect! The chicken was so juicy and delish!
Reply
- Danielle
  June 03, 2019 at 10:16 am
  That's great to hear Heidy!
  Reply
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder
June 03, 2019 at 5:39 am

I absolutely love low maintenance recipe like this one. Hands on time is minimal, oven does most of the work and you end up with this super scrumptious and flavourful dinner! That's a winner in my book! And look at that crispy skin! Cannot wait to try it!
Reply
- Danielle
  June 03, 2019 at 5:58 am
  Right? That's the best thing about roasted chicken thighs...how easy it is to get that juicy perfection!
  Reply
Helene Goldnadel
June 03, 2019 at 5:18 am

For the one like me who is tired of eating the same chicken dish, this one deserves a well try
Reply
- Danielle
  June 03, 2019 at 5:57 am
  Hope you get a chance to try it Helene!
  Reply
Demeter
June 03, 2019 at 5:10 am

Wow, it really doesn't get any easier than this! Sounds perfectly full of flavor too.
Reply
- Danielle
  June 03, 2019 at 5:15 am
  Right? Super easy and super flavorful.
  Reply
Helen @ family-friends-food.com
June 03, 2019 at 4:30 am
These look great - just the sort of thing my family would love!
Reply
- Danielle
  June 03, 2019 at 5:14 am
  Thanks helen!
  Reply
G
November 13, 2018 at 12:44 am
The recipe says “cook time 30 minutes”, but then it says “cook for 30 minutes on each side”. I’m guessing it’s supposed to be 15 minutes on each side, but I’ve burned plenty of food before, so I’m nervous about this one.
Thanks.
Reply
- Danielle
  November 13, 2018 at 4:24 am
  Oh shoot. The cook time should be 30 minutes per side. Sometimes the recipe card I use plugs in the wrong time. I should have check that. I've updated the recipe!
  Reply
danielle
August 19, 2018 at 7:15 am

Loving the great flavors here! I get wings like this at a local chinese restaurant.
Reply
Thao @ In Good Flavor
November 02, 2017 at 7:01 pm
I'm afraid to use MSG, but man, it makes things taste good! These thighs look awesome! I've got my eyes on the crispy skin!!
Reply
- Danielle@wenthere8this
  November 03, 2017 at 3:50 am
  I know, MSG always makes me feel bad, but I LOVE the way it makes some food taste. I find if I drink a lot of water, it flushes out pretty quickly. The crispy skin on these is the best!
  Reply

Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe - Went Here 8 This (2024)

FAQs

What is salt and pepper chicken made of? ›

Our quick and easy version involves crushing sea salt flakes with Sichuan peppercorns using a pestle and mortar, then mixing this with cornflour and Chinese five-spice powder. The mixture is then tipped into a food bag along with the chicken, sealed and shaken together so the chicken is thoroughly coated.

Learn More ›

Is salt and pepper chicken unhealthy? ›

The healthiness of pepper chicken depends on how it is prepared and consumed. Pepper chicken can be a nutritious and flavorful dish if prepared using lean chicken and a balanced combination of ingredients. However, it can also be unhealthy if it contains excessive amounts of unhealthy fats, sodium, or added sugars.

Know More ›

How many calories in a Chinese salt and pepper chicken? ›

SALT 'N' PEPPER CHICKEN

Calories	Protein (g)	Fat (g)
270	11.83	17.42

View Details ›

When should you salt chicken? ›

The key is to salt ahead of time. Two to three hours ahead of time is great; one to two days is even better. A good rule of thumb: use 1 teaspoon kosher salt (I use Diamond Crystal) per pound of chicken. I store the salted chicken in the fridge in a 4-qt Pyrex bowl that has a lid.

Read The Full Story ›

What is Chinese salt and pepper seasoning made of? ›

What ingredients are in salt pepper seasoning? There are a few variations to salt and pepper seasoning, but at its most traditional it contains sea salt, ground white pepper, Chinese five spice, crushed chilli flakes, garlic powder, ground ginger and caster sugar.

Learn More Now ›

What is the healthiest thing to order at a Chinese restaurant? ›

Steamed Fish or Seafood

Steamed seafood is one of the healthiest options you could choose from a Chinese restaurant menu. Most fish options are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. This protein often comes with ginger and scallions, which will add flavor to the dish without adding calories or sodium.

Can you reheat Chinese Salt and pepper chicken? ›

How do I reheat Salt and Pepper Chicken? From chilled: Place in a microwave proof container with loosely fitting lid and heat for 4-7 minutes until piping hot. From frozen: Allow to defrost, and heat covered in the microwave for 3-5 minutes then stir. Cook for a further 5-7 minutes until piping hot.

How much protein is in Chinese Salt and pepper chicken? ›

Energy: 816 calories

Protein	65g
Carbs	36.5g
Fat	45.5g

How many carbs are in Chinese Salt and pepper chicken? ›

Nutritional Information

	Per Portion
Salt	1.3g
Total Carbohydrate	36g
Fibre	3.1g
Protein	28g

3 more rows

See Details ›

What do you soak chicken in before cooking? ›

Chicken Brine Ingredients

Salt: Kosher salt tenderizes the meat, helps it retain moisture, and adds flavor. Soy sauce: Soy sauce lends even more salt and flavor. Sugar: White sugar adds subtle sweetness and helps promote browning. Olive oil: Olive oil helps ensure moist and tender meat.

Learn More ›

Do I rinse chicken after salting? ›

You really don't have to. If the brine has spices and herbs floating around in it, try to scrape any of that stuff that may have stuck to the meat off before cooking. Other than that, just dry it off before you cook it. But you certainly don't need to rinse it.

Discover More ›

Can you eat a whole chicken a day? ›

Because the whole chicken is around 1,000 calories, that's still considered a low-calorie diet. It's doable [to lose weight], but it doesn't have my seal of approval as a healthy diet,” she added.

Explore More ›

What is pepper chicken made of? ›

Pepper chicken is a popular South Indian chicken preparation. Chicken is cooked with onions, curry leaves, green chillies till tender and tossed with freshly ground black pepper which gives its unique taste.

Know More ›

What makes chicken salt chicken? ›

There is a ship-load of salt but no chicken. There can be paprika, onion, citric acid, garlic, rice flour, pepper, celery seeds and something called "chicken flavour". This is generally made from hydrolysed vegetable protein.

What part of the chicken is in chicken salt? ›

Yep, most chicken salts are in fact vegan. Chicken salt ingredients normally consist of salt and various herbs and spices, so there are no chicken or other animal products within the product.

Read The Full Story ›

What is the difference between chicken salt and normal salt? ›

"Chicken salt" is a seasoning blend that is commonly used in Australia, New Zealand, and other countries, and it typically includes salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and other spices. While it may have some flavor and aroma benefits compared to regular salt, it is not necessarily healthier for low sodium patients.

Tell Me More ›

Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Recipe - Went Here 8 This (2024)

Why This Recipe Works

Step By Step Instructions

Expert Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipe

Salt and Pepper Chicken

Ingredients

Instructions

Expert Tips:

Nutrition

More Easy Main Dishes and Dinner Recipes

Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Reply

FAQs

What is salt and pepper chicken made of? ›

Do I rinse chicken after salting? ›