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Crispy Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy Taiwanese popcorn chicken with a perfect balance of crunch and juicy tenderness, infused with authentic Taiwanese flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (regular or low sodium)
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder
  • 1/2 cup potato starch (about 65 g)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (about 30 g)
  • Fresh Thai basil leaves (optional)
  • Vegetable oil or peanut oil for deep frying

Instructions

  1. Marinate the chicken: In a medium bowl, combine chicken thighs with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, minced garlic, white pepper, sugar, and five-spice powder. Toss well to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes, up to 1 hour.
  2. Prepare the coating: In another bowl, mix potato starch and all-purpose flour until combined.
  3. Coat the chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Toss pieces into the starch-flour mixture until fully coated. Press gently to ensure coating sticks. Set aside.
  4. Heat the oil: Fill a deep fryer or heavy pot with about 3 inches of oil. Heat to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Fry in batches: Carefully lower chicken pieces into hot oil in small batches. Fry for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
  6. Optional basil fry: Quickly fry fresh Thai basil leaves in the oil for 10-15 seconds until crispy. Drain and sprinkle over chicken before serving.

Notes

Maintain oil temperature at 350°F (175°C) to keep chicken crispy and non-greasy. Fry in small batches to avoid overcrowding. For extra crunch, double fry the chicken. Use a wire rack to drain excess oil instead of paper towels to keep crust crispy. Basil leaves are optional but add authentic aroma.

Nutrition

Keywords: popcorn chicken, Taiwanese chicken, crispy chicken, fried chicken, snack, easy recipe, five-spice chicken

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/crispy-taiwanese-popcorn-chicken-recipe-easy-5-step-crunchy-delight/