Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Knees (Air Fryer) 椒鹽脆雞膝(氣炸鍋)

椒鹽脆雞膝 (氣炸鍋) Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Knees (Air Fryer) recipe is an addictive and delicious dim sum dish in Cantonese cuisine. The crispy chicken cartilages are air-fried, light, and non-greasy, with no excess oil. This keto-friendly deep-fried chicken knee is a favourite Chinese restaurant must, but you can make it at home in just 15 minutes!

> In This Post: Everything You'll Need For Air Fried Salt and Pepper Chicken Cartilages

After perfecting the recipe for Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Salt and Pepper Squid and Salt and Pepper Tofu, in the air fryer, making the delicious spicy season chicken recipe was on my mind! After all, fried crispy chicken pieces are one of the famous Chinese dishes to order any night of the week!

Check out this quick story summary of our recipe!

Jump to:

• > In This Post: Everything You'll Need For Air Fried Salt and Pepper Chicken Cartilages
• Salt and Pepper Seasoning Rub
• Ingredients and Substitutes
• Instructions
• What To Serve With Salt and Pepper Chicken Knees Dim Sum Style
• > Recipe
• Chinese Salt and Pepper Chicken Knees (Air Fryer) 椒鹽脆雞膝(氣炸鍋)

Salt and Pepper Seasoning Rub

The key to perfecting a wildly flavourful salt and pepper seasoning rub goes to one real MVP secret ingredient.

What is this secret ingredient for creating the best results in so many beautiful recipes in Chinese food? 

Ground white pepper 白胡椒粉 

• Ground white pepper enhances flavour, marries meats and poultry, removes fishiness, and spices up stir-fries. It is much different from black peppers, even though they come from the same fruit. It is also very different from Sichuan peppercorns, which are known for their slow-numbing mala profile, allowing one to enjoy the nuances of a heated dish. 
• A teaspoon of white pepper will kick that juicy air fryer chicken knees up several notches.

Salt and Pepper mixture (椒鹽) in Chinese recipes is an explosive spice blend commonly used for deep fry crispy dishes. 

The main characteristic of Chinese "salt and pepper" is its spicy and salty flavour. 

Our salt and pepper seasoning rub is an easy recipe using only a few simple ingredients to yield a delicious and explosive combination of savoury and spicy profile.

This seasoning mix is later used to flavour the deep-fried protein. 

If you love salt and pepper spices, why not try these salt and pepper popcorn chicken and air-fry them golden brown!

Cooking chicken without oil makes for an excellent protein dish that fits a ketogenic and low-carb diet. 

Ingredients and Substitutes

• Chicken Knees -Chicken Knees cartilage is a delicious part of the chicken between the drumstick and chicken thigh with soft bones and little protein. Most Asian supermarkets and meat shops will already carry this cut of chicken bone cartilage. Chinese chicken knees are a great alternative to popcorn chicken with spicy salt. Enjoying a pint of icy cold beer with this crispy side dish is fantastic!
• Potato Flour or Rice Flour - the breading is one part potato flour and one part rice flour. This gives the best bite-sized chicken pieces that are perfectly light and crispy.
• Fresh Green Spring Onions or Cilantro - Fresh leafy green herbs are used as a garnish atop colourless dishes to create visual appeal and add texture and subtle flavour.
• Vegetable Oil or Cooking Spray - Use a neutral cooking oil spray for air frying.  

Marinade

• Shaoxing Wine - Adding Chinese cooking wine to the marinade adds depth and enhances the flavour.
• Light Soy Sauce
• Dark Soy Sauce 
• Ground White Pepper 
• Brown Sugar or Monk Fruit Sugar

Most dry goods ingredients, tools and supplies can be purchased at your local Asian grocery store or Amazon Online.

Salt and Pepper Spices

This Hong Kong style of crispy chicken is quite different compared to the 鹹酥火雞 Taiwanese Salt and Peppery chicken method. The Cantonese salt and pepper seasoning does not use Five Spice Powder, cinnamon or basil leaves. 

• Fresh Garlic Cloves or Garlic Powder
• Brown Sugar or Monk Fruit Sugar
• Ground White Pepper - A secret ingredient that is much needed to liven the dish.
• Green Peppers or Red Bell Peppers - Finely chopped green and red bell peppers add colour and flavour to the salt and pepper seasoning.
• Jalapeno Peppers or Red Chili - Add some finely chopped jalapeno peppers or Thai bird's eye chilli for an extra kick of heat. Keep the seeds to make the salt and pepper chicken recipe extra fiery.
• Shallots or Yellow Onion - shallots and onions are aromatic, crispy, sweet, spicy and savoury, making your dishes come alive!
• Peppers Flakes - Dried red chilli flakes are a great substitute if you do not have any fresh peppers handy.
• Kosher Salt and Sea Salt -  Adding salt to food enhances the taste of food and makes it more aromatic.
• Sichuan Peppercorn (optional) - A little ground Sichuan Peppercorn powder adds a tongue-numbing sensation to the spice rub. This is optional but play around with how you like to bring the heat to your salt and pepper seasoning flavour profile.

Have you considered making salt and pepper chicken nuggets or short ribs? Asians love these fatty cartilage crunches with a little bit of meat, making this snack worthy unique dish to impress the guests!

What Is The Secret To A Crispy Coating?

The critical ingredient to crisp air-fried chicken knees with salt and pepper seasoning is potato starch or rice flour!

Coating your protein with potato starch makes all the difference in making the crispiest crunchy pieces with every bite.

It is night and day compared to plain old all-purpose flour for deep frying!

Potato starch has a bit more grit and, when deep-fried, creates little balls of crunchiness. It is lighter yet crispier and crunchier! 

Follow this easy tip, and I guarantee it is the best recipe for a crunchy crust!

Should Chicken Knees Be Seasoned Before Cooking?

Is marinating chicken cartilage necessary? On its own, soft cartilage is bland; therefore, marinating with simple marinade before cooking helps bring out the meat's natural flavours and texture. 

Marinating for at least 20 minutes is recommended. Marinate the chicken meat overnight in the refrigerator in an air-tight glass container. 

Dredge and coat each piece of chicken with crispy breading evenly. Shake off any excess flour. 

Instructions

First, wash the chicken knees and pat dry with a kitchen paper towel.

Marinating for at least 20 minutes is recommended. 

While the chicken knees are marinating, prepare salt and pepper spice mix and the crispy batter.

Prepare salt and pepper mixture by dicing jalapeno peppers, red bell peppers, shallots or onions and mince garlic cloves. 

Grind Sichuan Peppercorns, dried red chillies, and whole white peppercorns in a spice grinder or using a mortar and pestle. Grind to a powder. 

Add diced vegetables, aromatics, salt, and ground white pepper to a small bowl. Mix well. Set aside.

Alternatively, if you do not want to hand chop all the simple ingredients, you can also use a good-quality food processor. Here are my picks for the Best Food Processors!

Add and combine rice flour and potato starch in a shallow bowl.

Dredge and coat each piece of poultry cartilage with crispy breading evenly. Shake off any excess flour. 

How To Air Fry Chicken Knees

Preheat air fryer to 400°F.

Use air fryer parchment paper and line the bottom of the basket for easy clean-ups. 

Place chicken knees in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray with cooking oil or use an oil mister.

Double fry the chicken for an extra crispy texture. 

Set to a lower temperature the first time, frying at 375F for 6 minutes.

Carefully transfer chicken knees from the air fryer with tongs or a slotted spoon.

Add cooked chicken knees and salt and pepper mixture to a large bowl. Toss and mix well. Ensure each piece of chicken is evenly coated.

Return the seasoned chicken bites to the air fryer and fry for the second time at 400F for another 5 minutes for smaller pieces or 6-7 minutes for thicker nuggets. 

Insert an instant read thermometer at the thickest part of the chicken and check that the internal temperature of the meat is at least 165F.

Air fry until golden brown.

Work in small batches ex. If making a large double batch, air fry half the chicken and repeat the process with the leftover chicken meat!

Serve these crispy chicken knees on a serving plate lined with a few kitchen paper towels to soak up excess oil.

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes.

Enjoy hot!

Other Variations

Now that you know how to make this Hong Kong Style Salt and Pepper Chicken Knees recipe, you can also try these other popular Cantonese dishes.

• Salt and Pepper Tofu
• Salt and Pepper Air Fryer Pork Chops
• Salt and Pepper Squid
• Salt and Pepper Crispy Chicken
• Salt and Pepper Shrimp
• Salt and Pepper Cauliflower 

The flavours are equally explosive, and every bite is addictive! These are just a few easy recipes immediately come to mind as excellent pairings!

Serve these crispy chicken bites that are not deep-fried in a lot of oil as a quick healthy meal protein dish. It is an easy way to impress your guests. They will think it's from their favourite Cantonese restaurants. 

What To Serve With Salt and Pepper Chicken Knees Dim Sum Style

Crispy fried chicken knees are flavourful garlicky, and savoury. It is best to balance out a bowl of white jasmine steamed rice or stir-fried leafy green vegetables.

• Microwave Black Cod with Black Bean Sauce 豉汁蒸黑魚微波爐
• Steamed Pork Ribs with Kabocha Squash and Black Bean Sauce 豉汁南瓜蒸排骨
• Chinese Braised Eggplant 紅燒茄子
• Vegan Dan Dan Noodles 擔擔麵 素食
• Air Fryer Soy Sauce Chicken Thighs 氣炸鍋豉油雞

After indulging in spicy, heaty, and crispy food, don't forget to cool away heat with a bowl of this liver-detoxing Chinese Sweet Mung Bean Soup 綠豆沙!

I'd love to see how you went with my recipes! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @INSTANOMSS #INSTANOMSS.

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