As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What if crispy chicken could be your new comfort food? Try Battered Salt and Pepper Chicken now!
Who doesn’t love crispy fried chicken? This dish has roots in the flavorful kitchens of China, where salt and pepper seasonings are a classic combo. Over time, it became a favorite around the world, thanks to its simple, bold flavors and irresistible crunch.
But here’s where things get even better: we’re pairing it with a quick, sweet and sour sauce. The tangy sweetness of the sauce balances the savory spice of the chicken, creating a flavor explosion in every bite.

Why should you try it? Besides being incredibly delicious, this recipe is easy to make at home. It’s perfect for a family dinner or showing off your cooking skills to friends. Plus, it’s a fun way to add variety to your meals without needing fancy ingredients.
Get ready to fall in love with this crispy, juicy, and totally addictive dish!
Battered Salt and Pepper Chicken with Sweet and Sour Sauce
Craving a dish that’s crispy, flavorful, and just the right balance of savory and sweet? This battered salt and pepper chicken is the perfect comfort food with a delicious twist. The lightly spiced chicken pairs perfectly with a quick sweet and sour sauce that’s sure to impress your taste buds. Ready to dive in? Here’s how to make it:
Print
Battered Salt and Pepper Chicken
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Additional Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings depending on size 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Easy
Description
Warning: You might never order takeout again after tasting this Battered Salt and Pepper Chicken recipe.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 750g chicken breasts
- 6 garlic cloves, chopped (keep 2 for later)
- 1/4 onion, chopped
- 1 spring onion, sliced
- 1 green chili or green pepper (for less heat)
- Oil for frying

Marinade:
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp chopped garlic
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp rice wine
- A pinch of 5-spice powder

Seasoning:
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1/4 tsp crushed black pepper (swap with crushed Szechuan pepper for extra zing)
- 1/2 tsp sugar

For the Batter:
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 tbsp oil
Quick Sweet and Sour Sauce:
- 1/2 cup water
- 2/3 cup pineapple juice
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 1 tbsp water (for thickening)
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes.
- Toss them in a marinade made with salt, garlic, pepper, rice wine, and 5-spice powder.
- Let them soak up all that flavor for at least 30 minutes, or better yet, overnight if you’ve got time.
- Mix the batter ingredients until smooth. No lumps allowed!
- Coat the marinated chicken in the batter.
- Heat up some oil in a pan until it’s nice and hot. Fry the chicken for about 3 minutes, then drain on paper towels.
- Let it rest for 10–15 minutes while you toast the seasoning.
- For an extra crispy finish, refry the chicken at a higher temperature for 20–30 seconds until golden brown.
- Toss with the toasted seasoning to coat every piece.
- In the same pan, leave about 1 tablespoon of oil.
- Toss in the remaining garlic, onion, spring onion, and chili. Stir-fry until fragrant, then add the veggies to the chicken.
- In a small saucepan, combine all the sauce ingredients and bring them to a boil. Thicken it with the cornstarch slurry.
- Serve your crispy chicken immediately with the sweet and sour sauce on the side, and maybe some steamed rice if you’re feeling fancy.
- The contrast between the crunchy, spiced chicken and the tangy, sweet sauce is pure magic.
Equipment

Nonstick Deep Frying Pan Skillet
Buy Now →Notes
Created, prepared, tried, and tested by Melanie from SA Tasty Recipes – Saffas Daily Recipes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 467
- Sugar: 22.9 g
- Sodium: 729 mg
- Fat: 23.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35.8 g
- Fiber: 1.3 g
- Protein: 29.8 g
- Cholesterol: 91.3 mg
Battered Salt and Pepper Chicken with Sweet and Sour Sauce – Simple to make, impossible to resist.

Why you will enjoy Battered Salt and Pepper Chicken with Sweet and Sour Sauce
This recipe offers perfectly crispy chicken coated in bold salt and pepper seasoning with a tangy sweet and sour sauce. The double-frying method guarantees a crunch that rivals your favorite takeout, while the quick sauce adds a fresh, homemade twist. It’s simple, packed with flavor, and versatile enough for dinner or sharing with friends.
We are featured on Grandma’s House DIY. Thank you so much for this honor and the shoutout.
Thanks for dropping in and checking out the recipes and what’s on offer.
Thanks for dropping in and checking out the recipes and what’s on offer.
If you try out this delightful recipe, please let me know, rate it, and tag me on Instagram at @_esmesalon. I’m excited to see your amazing recreations, and I’m hooked on those mouthwatering photos!
We happily share our tasty and fantastic recipes and are excited to spread some love by sharing our posts at these awesome Linky Parties.
Copyright © 2026 esmesalon.com – All rights reserved.






Thanks for sharing with us, I’m featuring you this week when the next To Grandma’s house we go link party starts! Happy autumn!
What a lovely surprise, and thank you so much Tarah for this honor and feature, I truly appreciate your support. I will there for sure. Enjoy your weekend.