Crispy Salt and Chilli Chicken Recipe

If you love bold flavors and irresistible textures, this Crispy Salt and Chilli Chicken Recipe is an absolute winner to add to your recipe collection. Imagine tender chicken thigh pieces perfectly marinated, coated in a crunchy layer of corn starch, and fried until golden and crispy. Then they are tossed with a fiery mix of dry chillies, fresh peppers, and fragrant garlic, delivering a mouthwatering fusion of heat and savory goodness in every bite. This dish is a standout crowd-pleaser that balances crispy, spicy, and salty elements flawlessly, making it your new go-to for quick weeknight dinners or exciting snacks!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Getting this Crispy Salt and Chilli Chicken Recipe just right is all about using simple, familiar ingredients that pack vibrant taste, texture, and color. Each component plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor and that signature crispiness.

• 250 g Boneless chicken thigh: Juicy and flavorful, perfect for tender, crispy bites.
• 1 cup Corn starch (flour): Creates the irresistibly crunchy coating.
• ½ Sweet onion (cut thin slices): Adds a mild sweetness and slight crunch.
• ½ Green pepper (cut thin slices): Brings fresh, vibrant color and gentle heat.
• 2-3 Dry red chillies (cut half and deseeded): Infuses smoky spiciness without overpowering.
• 1 tsp Crushed chilli flakes: Packs extra kick to wake up your taste buds.
• 1 Fresh red Chilli (cut thin slices): Adds bright heat and a pop of color.
• 2 Spring onions (cut thin slices): Offers a mild oniony freshness as a finishing touch.
• 2-3 Garlic cloves (chopped or sliced): Boosts aroma and depth of flavor.
• Oil for frying: Use sunflower, canola, peanut, or any neutral-flavored vegetable oil for perfect frying.
• 1 tbsp Soy sauce: Adds savory umami and saltiness to the marinade.
• 1 tsp Sesame oil: Introduces a subtle nutty note.
• ¼ tsp White pepper: Gives gentle heat with a fragrant twist.
• 1 tsp Garlic paste (finely grated garlic): Intensifies the garlic flavor in the marinade.
• ¼ tsp Baking soda: Helps tenderize the chicken for extra juiciness.
• ½ tsp Salt: Essential for seasoning throughout.
• ½ tsp Black pepper powder: Adds warmth and spice.
• ¼ tsp Chinese five spices: Lends complexity with sweet, savory, and aromatic notes.
• ¼ tsp Chicken powder (optional): Enhances savory depth if you like that extra punch.

How to Make Crispy Salt and Chilli Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Begin by cutting your boneless chicken thigh into small bite-sized pieces that will cook evenly and stay juicy. Toss the pieces in soy sauce, sesame oil, freshly grated garlic paste, and baking soda, which not only flavors the meat but tenderizes it beautifully. Set this aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes—it’s worth the wait for that deep infusion of taste.

Step 2: Prepare Your Veggies and Chillies

While the chicken takes a soak in its marinade, slice your vegetables thinly—the sweet onion, green pepper, and fresh red chilli all need to be just right for quick cooking and retaining their crisp texture. Don’t forget to carefully halve and deseed the dry red chillies; they bring smoky heat without bitterness.

Step 3: Mix the Spice Blend

Create your magic dust by combining salt, black pepper, white pepper, crushed chilli flakes, Chinese five spices, and optional chicken powder in a small bowl. This spice mix will heighten every bite once tossed with the crispy chicken, so give it a good stir and set it aside for later.

Step 4: Coat the Chicken

Take your marinated chicken pieces and gently coat them with corn starch, ensuring each piece is fully covered but separated from one another. This step is key to achieving that perfect golden crust when fried. Shake off any excess flour before moving on.

Step 5: Deep Fry to Crispy Perfection

Heat your chosen neutral oil to about 350°F and carefully drop in the chicken pieces. Fry them until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and crispy on the outside, which usually takes just a few minutes. Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels to keep that crunch intact.

Step 6: Sizzle the Aromatics

In a large wok or pan, add a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium heat. Quickly fry the garlic until fragrant, then immediately toss in the dry red chillies, stirring swiftly to prevent burning. This stage builds the smoky, spicy flavor base that makes this Crispy Salt and Chilli Chicken Recipe so addictive.

Step 7: Stir-Fry the Veggies and Fresh Chillies

Add your sliced onions, green pepper, fresh red chillies, and crushed chilli flakes to the pan. Stir-fry everything together for about a minute, just long enough to soften the veggies slightly while keeping their bite and vibrant colors.

Step 8: Combine Chicken and Spice Mix

Return the crispy chicken to the wok and sprinkle your prepared spice mix over the top. Toss everything vigorously so that every piece of chicken is evenly coated and infused with the fragrant, spicy seasoning.

Step 9: Serve Immediately

This dish is at its absolute best fresh and hot, straight from the pan—crispy, spicy, and bursting with flavor.

Step 10: Enjoy Your Meal

The beauty of this Crispy Salt and Chilli Chicken Recipe is how versatile it is. Serve it up over steamed rice or toss it with stir-fried noodles for a satisfying meal, or enjoy it all by itself as a savory snack that’s wildly moreish!

How to Serve Crispy Salt and Chilli Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

Brighten up your plating with a sprinkle of freshly sliced spring onions or a handful of chopped fresh coriander. These garnishes add a burst of color and a fresh, herbal finish that perfectly balances the dish’s spices and crisp textures.

Side Dishes

While the chicken is star of the show, pairing it with simple steamed jasmine rice or fragrant fried rice helps soak up every bit of that delicious sauce. Alternatively, light vegetable stir-fries or even crunchy Asian slaws complement the dish’s heat and crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, serve your Crispy Salt and Chilli Chicken Recipe in lettuce cups for a fresh, hand-held bite, or pile it onto a bed of noodles topped with roasted peanuts and pickled vegetables to create a layered textural experience.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container and refrigerate. The chicken will keep well for up to 2 days, though for optimal crunch, try to enjoy it sooner rather than later.

Freezing

This recipe doesn’t freeze as well because the crisp coating can become soggy upon thawing. If necessary, freeze the cooked chicken separately on a tray before transferring to a freezer-safe bag, and re-fry briefly after thawing to regain some crispness.

Reheating

When reheating, aim to use an oven or air fryer at a medium-high temperature to restore the crisp texture rather than microwaving, which can make the chicken rubbery and lose its delightful crunch.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breast instead of thigh?

Absolutely! While thigh meat is juicier and more forgiving during frying, chicken breast can work if sliced thinly and not overcooked. Just keep an eye on cooking time to avoid dryness.

What can I substitute for corn starch?

If you don’t have corn starch, potato starch or rice flour can be good alternatives for the crispy coating, though corn starch tends to give the lightest, crunchiest result.

How spicy is this Crispy Salt and Chilli Chicken Recipe?

The heat level is customizable. Using fewer dry chillies and less crushed chilli flakes will mellow the dish; add more if you crave serious spice!

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes, just swap the soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari and double-check your spices to avoid gluten-containing additives. Corn starch is naturally gluten-free, so it’s a great choice here.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

It can be, though best enjoyed fresh. For meal prep, cook the chicken and veggies separately and combine right before eating to keep the crispiness and flavors vibrant.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about this Crispy Salt and Chilli Chicken Recipe. It’s quick, packed with flavor, and hits all the right notes with its crispy texture and lively spices. I can’t encourage you enough to try making it at home—you’ll love how effortlessly it turns simple ingredients into a show-stopping dish that everyone will rave about. Dive in, have fun with it, and enjoy every delicious bite!

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