Salt and pepper chicken tails
Salt and pepper chicken tails are a popular Cantonese-style appetizer or snack, featuring bite-sized chicken tails seasoned with a fragrant mix of salt, white pepper, garlic, and often chili. They are typically deep-fried until crispy on the outside while remaining tender and juicy inside, and are commonly found in dim sum restaurants and street food stalls across Southern China and Hong Kong.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in fat and protein due to the chicken tail's natural fat content and the deep-frying process, with minimal carbohydrates. A typical serving provides a good amount of protein and fat, along with some B vitamins and minerals, but is also calorie-dense, likely ranging from 300 to 450 kcal per serving.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 380 kcal |
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbs | 2 g |
| Fat | 33 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.5 mcg |
| Niacin (B3) | 4.5 mg |
| Phosphorus | 150 mg |
| Selenium | 15 mcg |
| Zinc | 2.1 mg |
| Iron | 1.2 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.3 mg |
| Choline | 45 mg |
Per 1 serving (about 100 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, chicken tails (often called 'phoenix tails' in Chinese cuisine) are considered a delicacy for their unique texture and rich flavor, embodying the Cantonese appreciation for crispy, savory snacks. Nutritionally, they are a concentrated source of collagen and fat, which contributes to their satisfying mouthfeel but also places them in the indulgent category of foods.
