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
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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