Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken

These Taiwanese popcorn chicken bites are incredibly delicious. Five-spice, ginger, and soy sauce flavor bite-sized pieces of chicken before they're dipped in tempura mix and fried until golden and crispy.


Recipes · Appetizers and Snacks · Meat and Poultry · Chicken


Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 55 mins
Additional Time: 10 mins
Servings: 6

Ingredients

Ingredients List

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces

  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce

  • 2 teaspoons grated ginger

  • 1 teaspoon five-spice powder

  • 1 teaspoon ground white pepper, or to taste

  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

  • ½ teaspoon rice vinegar

  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 cup tempura batter mix, dry, or as needed

  • 2 cups peanut oil for frying, or as needed

  • 1 bunch Thai basil, chopped

  • 2 green onions, chopped


Directions

  1. Mix chicken, garlic, soy sauce, ginger, five-spice powder, white pepper, salt, vinegar, and cayenne pepper together in a large bowl until well combined. Let marinate for 10 minutes.

  2. Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

  3. Whisk egg in a small bowl until smooth. Place dry tempura mix into a second small bowl. Dip chicken pieces one at a time into egg, then dredge in tempura mix, shaking off any excess.

  4. Working in batches, lower chicken carefully into hot oil and fry until golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and season with salt and pepper.

  5. Transfer chicken to a platter and garnish with basil leaves and green onions.

Tips

You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs and sweet potato flour for dredging instead of tempura batter mix.

Editor's Note:

We have determined the nutritional value of oil for frying based on a retention value of 10% after cooking. Amount will vary depending on cooking time and temperature, ingredient density, and specific type of oil used.


Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrition Facts
940 Calories
92g Fat
8g Carbs
22g Protein


Prev   Next