Description
This Taiwanese popcorn chicken recipe brings crispy, flavorful bites of chicken packed with aromatic spices and topped with crispy Thai basil. Perfect for a crunchy snack or appetizer, this dish offers the ultimate combination of crispy chicken and savory seasoning!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 lb chicken thigh, diced into cubes
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 2 tsp grated ginger (or 1/4 tsp powdered ginger)
- 1/4 tsp five-spice powder
- 1/4 tsp chicken bouillon powder
- 1 tbsp Shaoxing wine or rice wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1 egg white
For Coating and Frying:
- Thai basil leaves
- 2 cups coarse sweet potato starch
- Oil, for frying
For the Seasoning Mix:
- 1/4 tsp five-spice powder
- 1/4 tsp white pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 – 1 tsp sugar
Instructions
-
Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, combine diced chicken with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, five-spice powder, chicken bouillon powder, Shaoxing wine (or rice wine vinegar), white pepper, and egg white.
- Mix well to coat the chicken and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
-
Prepare for Frying:
- Place sweet potato starch in a shallow dish. Coat each marinated chicken piece in the starch, pressing lightly for an even coating.
-
First Fry:
- Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep fryer or pot. Fry chicken in batches for about 4 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
-
Double Fry for Extra Crispiness:
- Reheat the oil to 350°F. Fry chicken a second time for an additional minute to enhance crispiness.
- During the last 30 seconds, add Thai basil leaves into the oil. Be cautious of oil splattering and cover with a lid for safety. Remove when crispy and drain.
-
Season and Serve:
- Toss the hot chicken with the seasoning mix (five-spice powder, white pepper, salt, and sugar). Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- For added flavor, use fresh Shaoxing wine or rice vinegar for an authentic taste.
- Double frying ensures extra crispiness, which is a key feature of this dish.
- Adjust the seasoning to your taste preference, starting with half and adding more as needed.
- Use fresh Thai basil leaves for a fragrant and crispy garnish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 5 pieces)
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg