Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken: One of Our Favorite Snacks in Tai

• total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

crispy + flavorful on the outside, and tender, juicy chicken inside— you won’t be able to eat just one! these addictively seasoned popcorn chicken are always a must have when we’re at the taiwanese night markets.

five spice, chili powder, ginger powder, white pepper, salt + black pepper combined with honey and the crispy tapioca starch crust give it incredible flavor + crunch!

ʏᴏᴜ’ʟʟ ɴᴇᴇᴅ:

chicken marinade:

1 ½ lb chicken thighs

half head garlic, minced

2-3 slices ginger, minced

1 ½ tsp sugar

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 ½ tbsp shao xing wine

1 tsp five spice

1/2 tsp ginger powder

1/2 tsp white pepper

salt + pepper

batter:

1 ½ cup tapioca starch (I like to add in a little tempura batter mix + corn starch)

five spice, ginger powder, white pepper, salt + pepper mixed in

to top:

fried basil

honey

five spice, ginger powder, white pepper, salt + pepper

ʀᴇᴄɪᴘᴇ:

wash basil leaves and dry completely

cut chicken thighs into nugget sized pieces

Directions

marinate chicken thighs with soy sauce, shaoxing wine, minced ginger + garlic and spices for 30 mins

add tapioca starch + spices together

whisk an egg

batter chicken in egg, then starch and set on a plate

batter all the chicken, don’t stack them on each other!

add a neutral frying oil to a pan

add in basil in batches, make sure they are completely dry or the oil will pop from the moisture on them

add chicken in batches taking care to not overcrowd the pan

once the chicken is a golden brown, remove

drizzle chicken with honey + spices, add your fried basil and mix everything well + enjoy!