Salt and Pepper Chicken in the UK: what it is, how to order it, where to find it
Quick answer
Salt and pepper chicken is battered chicken tossed with fried chilli, garlic, spring onion and a salt-and-five-spice seasoning, crisp and moreish. A Cantonese-British favourite, it is also made with squid, prawns, ribs and tofu. The dish is defined by the seasoning mix and the crispness; the best version is light and fragrant, the worst a soggy, over-salted heap.
Calories and nutrition
- Calories
- 560
- Protein
- 32 g
- Carbs
- 30 g
- Fat
- 34 g
- Salt
- 2.8 g
440–700 kcal
Portion: One share portion, about 300 g.
Deep-fried, so higher in fat; a squid or tofu version varies. Higher in salt by design.
Estimates for a typical portion, based on standard UK and USDA food composition data. Actual values depend on the recipe and the restaurant.
What salt and pepper means
The 'salt and pepper' (jiu yim) treatment is a coating and a seasoning, not a sauce. The main ingredient, often chicken pieces, is battered or floured and deep-fried until crisp, then tossed in a hot wok with finely chopped fresh red chilli, garlic, spring onion and sometimes onion and green pepper, and dusted with a mix of salt, ground white pepper and five-spice. The result is dry, crisp and aromatic, with a gentle heat and the tingle of pepper. It is one of the most popular items on the British Chinese menu and works on squid (salt and pepper squid), prawns, chips and tofu equally.
How to judge it
The batter should stay crisp under the seasoning, the aromatics should be fresh and fragrant, and the salt should be judged, not overwhelming. A soggy, greasy, over-salted version is the common failing. Fresh chilli and garlic tossed in at the end, rather than a pre-mixed seasoning dumped on, are the sign of care. It should be dry, not sitting in oil.
Salt and pepper across the menu
Once you know the treatment, you can order it on many things: squid is the classic (salt and pepper squid), then prawns, ribs, tofu, even chips. It is a good way to eat seafood, and the tofu version is a strong vegetarian order. A plate to share alongside other dishes.
Where it is done well in the UK
Cantonese restaurants and good takeaways. Our directory lists areas with the most Chinese restaurants.
How to order it
Order salt and pepper chicken, squid or tofu as a crisp, moreish share dish. It should be dry and crisp with fresh chilli and garlic, not greasy or over-salted. Salt and pepper squid is the classic; the tofu version is a good vegetarian option.
Where it's done well
UK councils with the most salt and pepper chicken specialists, by restaurant name, in our directory.
Restaurants near you
Search by postcode or use your location to find restaurants likely to serve salt and pepper chicken near you.
Make it at home
Serves 4 · 35 min
Ingredients
- 500 g chicken thigh, cubed
- 4 tbsp cornflour, 1 egg, oil for frying
- 2 red chillies, 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 3 spring onions, 1 onion, 1 green pepper, sliced
- seasoning: 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp white pepper, half tsp five-spice
Method
- Coat the chicken in beaten egg then cornflour and deep-fry at 180°C until golden and crisp; drain.
- Mix the salt, white pepper and five-spice.
- In a very hot wok with a little oil, stir-fry the chilli, garlic, onion and pepper for a minute.
- Add the fried chicken and the seasoning mix, toss hard so everything is coated and crisp, add the spring onions and serve at once.
Fry the chicken until properly crisp and toss it in at the end so it stays crisp. Fresh chilli and garlic beat a pre-mixed seasoning.