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    Home » Chicken

    Salt and Pepper Chicken Nuggets - The Most Delicious Recipe

    Jul 19, 2020 · By Tu · Last updated: Oct 3, 2022 · 5 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Lets make the most delicious salt and pepper chicken nuggets with one secret ingredient that nobody could've figured out. This chicken nuggets recipe is the closest replica of all Chinese restaurants' recipes.

    salt and pepper chicken recipe

    If you love Chinese food, you know this famous dish. And I swear the moment I figure out the secret ingredient that makes it as it is, I almost burst into tears. It was not like that, but a little exaggerating is needed for this amazing salt and pepper chicken nuggets recipe.

    Two different components make this salt and pepper recipe taste amazing.

    1. The right amount of salt & pepper together with the secret ingredient.
    2. The dipping sauce.

    Yup, you read it right. If you ate this dish without lime & pepper dipping sauce, you've ever truly experienced it to the fullest.


    What's part of chicken did I used?

    Well, there is no secret that I am in love with dark meat chicken. Therefore, I'm using boneless chicken thighs in this recipe.

    However, if you are not a big fan of dark meat, you can always switch out for chicken breast. But be aware of cooking time; the breast part requires less time than the thigh meat.

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    Chicken substitution

    This recipe can use other types of meat or seafood: shrimp, fish nuggets, turkey nuggets, etc. The number of other ingredients should stay the same; no need for adjustment.

    salt and pepper chicken recipe

    The secret ingredient

    So what is the secret ingredient I'm bragging about besides those two key ingredients: salt and pepper? It is cinnamon powder.

    Are you surprised, right? All you need to do is add a small amount of this unique ingredient into your chicken nuggets to make it taste the same as your favorite Chinese restaurant's dish.

    This secret ingredient is also used in this Chinese-style salt and pepper shrimp recipe: one seasoning mixture makes two delicious dishes.


    Trouble shooting

    I'm using a mixture of tapioca starch and all-purpose flour to dredge the chicken. So if you're seeing white spots all over your chicken nuggets, you should:

    1. Get rid of any excess as much as possible before adding the chicken to the oil.
    2. Make sure there is enough oil to cover all the nuggets, and the temperature is at least 350F.
    3. Add a small batch of nuggets. Do not overcrowd the oil.

    Also, before proceeding with the cooking process, ensure you have plenty of vegetable oil available. It'll run out of oil quickly, so having extra on inventory won't hurt the process.

    2 plates of salt and pepper chicken put next to a pink stripes towel and fresh limes

    Besides this delicious salt and pepper chicken nugget, I have plenty of other wonderful fried chicken recipes. Like this fantastic replica of Bonchon fried chicken or this super crispy twice cook chicken wings.

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    Did you make this recipe? If so please leave a rating and let me know how it went in the comment section. Also, don't forget to tag me #cookmorphosis @cookmorphosis on social media.

    salt and pepper chicken nuggets

    Salt and Pepper Chicken Nuggets

    Lets make the most delicious salt and pepper chicken nuggets with one secret ingredient that nobody could've figured out.
    5 from 3 votes
    Prep Time: 30 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Marinating time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories per serving: 356kcal
    Author: Tu

    Ingredients 

    • 1 lb chicken thigh boneless, skin on, cut into bite site

    Seasoning mixture

    • ¼ tsp white pepper
    • ¼ tsp black pepper
    • 1 tsp salt
    • ⅛ tsp cinnamon powder
    • 1 small white onion small dice
    • 3 jalapeno or other mild/sweet pepper sliced

    Marinade mixture

    • 1 c milk
    • 1 tsp Kosher salt
    • ⅛ tsp black pepper
    • ½ tsp garlic powder

    For frying

    • vegetable oil as needed
    • ⅓ c tapioca starch as needed
    • 1 c all purpose flour as needed
    • ¼ tsp Kosher salt

    Dipping sauce

    • 1 tsp Kosher salt
    • ¼ tsp white pepper
    • ⅛ tsp black pepper
    • 1 tsp sugar
    • 1 tbsp lime juice freshly squeeze
    • ¼ tsp vegetable oil or any neutral oil

    Instructions

    • Put the chicken (already cut into bite-size cubes) in a mixing bowl and marinate the mixture.
    • Let chicken marinade in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (because milk is used here, if left at room temperature, milk might go bad).

    Frying process

    • In a large mixing bowl, put salt, tapioca starch, and all-purpose flour together. Mix well, so everything is incorporated.
    • Add vegetable oil (more than halfway) to a deep shallow frying pan and heat on high heat. Make sure the oil reaches 350F before adding dredged chicken nuggets.
    • Work in small batch: gradually dredge marinated chicken with flour mixture; before putting in hot oil to fry, give it a little shake to get rid of excess flour. Fry the nuggets for 5-10 minutes (depending on your batch size). Or until the chicken turns golden brown color.
    • Continue to work with the rest of the chicken nuggets. Add more oil and flour mixture as you go, if needed. If you need to add more oil, remember to wait for it to reach 350F before keeping frying. Set fried chicken nuggets aside.

    Sauteed process

    • In a small mixing bowl, combine all the seasoning mixture. Add 2 tbsp vegetable oil to another cooking pan, followed by the seasoning mixture. Cook the mixture for 2-3 minutes or until white onion just turned golden brown.
    • Add fried chicken nuggets to the hot pan, and give them a few shakes to coat the chicken thoroughly with the seasoning mixture (around 30 seconds to 1-minute max).

    Serving

    • Combine all ingredients in the dipping sauce and give a few stirs.
    • Serve chicken nuggets immediately with dipping sauce on the side. Enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 356kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 20gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 1968mgPotassium: 304mgFiber: 4gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 324IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 113mgIron: 2mg
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