Salt and pepper chicken is a popular Chinese dish known for its bold and slightly spicy flavour. It’s typically made with boneless chicken bite-sized pieces seasoned with a mix of salt, pepper and other spices. You can use chicken wings instead of breasts if you prefer. But now there’s no need to use a deep fryer to get crispy and golden chicken as the air fryer works equally well. Using the air fryer means less mess and less calories compare to deep fat frying. This air fryer salt and pepper chicken is just so easy to prepare in advance for the week ahead. And it is a super healthy fake-away option too! I used a shop bought seasoning mix but you can easily make your own using a teaspoon of cornflour, a quarter teaspoon of salt, a quarter teaspoon of crushed Szechuan pepper, and a teaspoon of Chinese five-spice powder.
Enjoy a Chinese takeaway dish without the guilt, thanks to this healthier and cheaper recipe. Perfect for a quick and easy mid week lunch, a starter or a complete dinner that the whole family will enjoy. Learn how to make this simple and crispy Taiwanese salt and pepper chicken in the air fryer with minimal ingredients and effort. You could also add onions and bell peppers to this dish if you choose.
PREP 5 minutes
COOK 12 – 15 minutes
SERVES 2 people
KIT you will need an air fryer, a rolling pin and baking paper
Ingredients for air fryer salt and pepper chicken
2 chicken breasts
75g of fresh spinach leaves
1 packet of microwave brown rice
1 packet of salt and pepper seasoning mix
To serve:
A fresh red chilli, thinly sliced
Crispy fried onions
A handful of fresh parsley, chopped
Method
So start by laying your chicken breasts on some baking parchment and fold over the paper on top. And use a rolling pin to gently tenderise the chicken breasts.
Then spray some olive oil over the chicken and then season with the salt and pepper mixture.
So next put the seasoned chicken breasts in the air fryer basket on the crisper plates. And cook on 190c for around 12 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken is starting to brown the juices run clear.
Cook the rice in the microwave and whilst you wait, thinly slice a fresh red chilli.
So next carefully remove your chicken breasts from the air fryer and slice on a chopping board.
Add some fresh spinach leaves to your bowls and then add the brown rice on top. Then add the chicken and top with the sliced chilli, dried onion flakes and some chopped fresh parsley!
Similar recipes
If you love this air fryer salt and pepper chicken then you will also like my air fryer chicken goujons or the air fryer marry me chicken recipe.
So if you are still looking for more air fryer inspiration, then visit my Amazon shop front to order your copy of my best selling cookbooks.