Making Salt and Pepper Chicken is straightforward if you follow these simple steps:

1. Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and pat them dry with paper towels.
2. Season the Chicken: In a bowl, mix the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and five-spice powder (if using). Toss the chicken pieces in the spice mixture until evenly coated.
3. Coat with Cornstarch: Place the cornstarch in a shallow dish. Dredge each piece of seasoned chicken in the cornstarch, ensuring they are fully coated.
4. Heat Oil: In a large skillet or wok, heat about ½ inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Ensure the oil is hot before adding the chicken.
5. Fry the Chicken: Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches. Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and drain on paper towels.
6. Sauté Aromatics: In the same pan, remove excess oil, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Add the dried red chilies and chopped green onions. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
7. Combine: Return the fried chicken to the pan. Toss everything together quickly to combine and heat through.
8. Serve: Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and garnish with extra chopped green onions if desired.

These steps will guide you in creating this incredible dish with ease!