Taiwanese Salt And Pepper Chicken

Published May 08, 2018 Updated Sep 30, 2024

Yan Su Ji (盐酥鸡)

Taiwanese salt and pepper chicken is a beloved street food that has gained popularity worldwide. The dish typically involves coating chicken pieces with a mixture of salt, ground pepper, and other seasonings, then deep fried until crispy. Called “Yan Su Ji” (盐酥鸡 or 咸酥鸡) in Chinese, this addictive and mouthwatering Taiwanese popcorn chicken is a night market top seller in many Asian countries, especially Taiwan. In Japan, a similar street snack called is chicken karaage, or Japanese fried chicken. Salt and pepper chicken is all about the tasty mix of salty salt and spicy pepper. It is typically garnished with fresh basil leaves and served with a sprinkle of pepper salt. Some versions even throw in ground cinnamon, or a bit of chili powder or cayenne powder for extra kick. What makes this appetizer so special is its crispy exterior, thanks to coating the chicken in cornstarch before frying. It keeps the chicken juicy inside and gives it a nice crunch on the outside. Whether you grab it from a street food stall in Taipei or make it at home, salt and pepper chicken brings together simple cooking and bold flavors that everyone loves. Other recipe variations include salt and pepper squid and salt and pepper shrimp.

Ingredients

My easy homemade recipe calls for the following main ingredients:

Chicken breast – you may also use boneless and skinless chicken thighs. Cornstarch – the coating of these crispy fried chicken nuggets typically consists of sweet potato starch or cornstarch. You may also use a combination of plain flour and starch. Thai basil leaves – Thai basil leaves (九层塔) are commonly used in Taiwanese recipes, for example: three cup chicken and three cup squid. If you cannot find fresh basil leaves, skip them but the finished dish just don’t taste quite as authentic.

Chicken Marinade Ingredients

The following items are key ingredients in the chicken marinade:

Ginger and garlic Soy sauce Rice wine – use clear Chinese rice wine for this recipe. Do not use Chinese Shaoxing wine. Pepper salt Sugar

Please refer to the recipe card below for further details on each ingredient. Shopping Guide: You may find bottled pepper salt at Asian supermarkets. Please note that pepper salt is not the same as Chinese five-spice powder. Pepper salt is specially formulated for Asian fried chicken bites, nuggets, or chicken cutlets. Depending on the brand, it typically includes salt, white and/or black pepper, MSG, or chicken bouillon powder. Sometimes, additional ground spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns are also included in the blend. I recommend Oriental Mascot Pepper Salt, made in Taiwan, which contains only salt and pepper.

The Secret Ingredient: Pepper Salt

This recipe is made from scratch, adapted from a Taiwanese cookbook. The soul of the dish lies in the pepper salt seasoning, which is available in a shaker at Chinese or Asian food stores. Pepper salt adds depth, enhancing flavor, and lend the iconic fragrance to the fried chicken. It transforms plain fried chicken bites into a richly seasoned and aromatic dish that’s both satisfying and addictive. Whether you prefer a subtle hint of spice or a more robust flavor punch, pepper salt is key to achieving the authentic taste of this beloved Taiwanese street food.

Helpful Tips For Home Cooks

Follow my insider tips below for the best and crispiest Taiwanese fried salt and pepper chicken:

Uniform size: To ensure even cooking, cut the chicken into equal-sized pieces. Single layer: For even deep frying, always arrange the chicken in a single layer. Fry in batches: Deep fry in batches to ensure you don’t crowd your wok or frying pan. This will ensure every single piece of chicken pieces are crispy and crunchy!

What To Serve With Salt And Pepper Chicken

For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes. I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.