Craving takeout but not trying to spend $18 on delivery fees? I've got a hack for you! This easy salt and pepper chicken recipe uses frozen orange chicken and transforms it into something crispy, garlicky, and packed with warm, salted, peppery spice in just 15 minutes. There's no deep fryer required! Just keep a couple boxes of frozen orange chicken in the freezer and you've always got a quick weeknight dinner on hand!
Looking for other quick takeout recipes at home? Try my 15 minute pad kra pao or copycat sarku japan!
Disclaimer: Although I partnered with InnovAsian on Instagram, this recipe post isn't sponsored. I just thought this hack was too good not to share but you can definitely use any frozen battered chicken.
What is salt and pepper chicken?
Salt and pepper chicken is a Cantonese-style dish where chicken gets fried until crispy and tossed with a fragrant blend of salt, white pepper, and five-spice powder, along with garlic and chilies. It's a staple on Chinese takeout menus alongside its shrimp cousin, salt and pepper shrimp.
Traditionally, it is coated in cornstarch and fried in batches, but this version skips all of that by starting with chicken that's already fried and cooked, so all you're doing is building the seasoning and finishing it in a bowl!
Why you'll love this salt and pepper chicken (using frozen orange chicken)
- Ready in 15 minutes - Comes together quickly and is faster than delivery!
- Customizable - Make it as spicy or as mild as you want.
- No deep frying required - No hot oil or oil splatters to clean up!
- Budget friendly - Uses pantry staples and just a few ingredients from the store.
Jump to:
- What is salt and pepper chicken?
- Why you'll love this salt and pepper chicken (using frozen orange chicken)
- Ingredients
- How to make salt and pepper chicken (using frozen orange chicken)
- How to store salt and pepper chicken
- FAQ
- Other recipes to try:
- Easy Salt and Pepper Chicken Hack (Using Frozen Orange Chicken)
Ingredients
- Frozen orange chicken: The shortcut to making this salt and pepper chicken so quickly. I'm using InnovAsian Orange Chicken here but any frozen orange chicken works!
- White pepper: The star of the salt and pepper seasoning. It's more floral than black pepper with a more subtle heat. I would not recommend substituting with black pepper here. Pre-ground white pepper works just fine but you can toast whole white peppercorns and finely crush them for a more fragrant seasoning!
- Salt: Ties everything together and makes the five-spice powder stand out.
- Five spice powder: Adds that warm spice to balance out the white pepper.
- Sugar: A touch to balance out the saltiness.
- Jalapeño: For a kick of fresh heat and color.
- Mini red bell pepper: For color and a subtle added sweetness.
- Garlic: To really give the chicken a burst of flavor!
- Neutral oil: For sautéing the aromatics low and slow so they soften without burning.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make salt and pepper chicken (using frozen orange chicken)
- Step 1: Cook the frozen orange chicken according to package instructions. My preferred method is the air fryer.
- Step 2: To a pan over low heat, add the oil, sliced jalapeno, sliced red pepper, and garlic. Saute until slightly softened, then remove from heat.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, mix together salt, sugar, five spice powder and white pepper.
- Step 4: To a heat-safe dish, microwave the orange chicken sauce until it is warmed through.
- Step 5: To a large mixing bowl, add the cooked orange chicken, sautéed garlic, and peppers. Add half of the salt and pepper mixture and give it a toss. Add the remaining seasoning and toss until all the chicken is evenly coated. Serve immediately with rice and a side of the orange chicken sauce.
How to store salt and pepper chicken
Store salt and pepper chicken in an air tight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet or air fryer to bring back some crispiness.
FAQ
Nope! For this salt and pepper chicken hack, any frozen battered chicken will work! Just make sure it's battered since that is where the crispiness comes from.
It has a subtle kick from the jalapeño and white pepper. For less heat, reduce the amount of white pepper or remove the jalapeño!
One of the sauce packets can be used for dipping and the other can be kept frozen and used next time you're cooking chicken or shrimp!
Other recipes to try:
Easy Salt and Pepper Chicken Hack (Using Frozen Orange Chicken)
Ingredients
- 2 boxes of frozen orange chicken
- 2 teaspoon white pepper
- 2 ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon five spice powder
- 1 jalapeno sliced
- 1 mini red bell pepper sliced, seeds removed
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 3 tablespoon neutral oil
Instructions
- Cook the frozen orange chicken according to package instructions. My preferred method is the air fryer.
- To a pan over low heat, add the oil, sliced jalapeno, sliced red pepper, and garlic. Saute until slightly softened, then remove from heat.
- In a small bowl, mix together salt, sugar, five spice powder and white pepper.
- To a heat-safe dish, microwave the orange chicken sauce until it is warmed through.
- To a large mixing bowl, add the cooked orange chicken, sautéed garlic, and peppers. Add half of the salt and pepper mixture and give it a toss. Add the remaining seasoning and toss until all the chicken is evenly coated. Serve immediately with rice and a side of the orange chicken sauce.
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