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Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken with Fried Basil Recipe

taiwanese popcorn chicken with fried basil sits on a green background
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5 from 3 reviews

A delicious staple of night markets, this Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken is marinated, coated in sweet potato starch, fried, and sprinkled with a spice blend.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb Dark Meat Chicken (cut into bite-sized chunks)

Marinade

  • 1 small Yellow Onion ( diced into big chunks or thick wedge slices, *See Note 1)
  • 3 slices Ginger (cut into sticks)
  • 4-5 cloves Garlic (smashed)
  • 1-2 pieces Dried Anise (*See Note 2)
  • 1½ tablespoon Soy Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Mirin (aka Sweet Rice Wine)
  • 1 tablespoon Shaoxing Wine (*See Note 3)
  • 1 tablespoon Sugar

Topping

  • 8-10 Thai Holy Basil Leaves

Breading

  • 1 bag Sweet Potato Starch/Powder/Flour (it’s all the same, *See note 4)

The Pepper Powder Spice Mix

  • 1 1/2 tsp White Pepper Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Chili Powder (double or triple depending on how spicy you want it)
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Five Spice Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Black Pepper (finely ground )
  • 1/4 tsp Lemongrass Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/3 tsp White Plum Powder (Substitute: Castor or Fine Sugar)

Instructions

Cue Up The Episode!

  1. Make sure you listen to Episode 125 Why Taiwan Is Not "Chinese Taipei" with Yone as you make her Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken!

Make The Recipe

  1. Marinate the chicken with all other ingredients (except for the basil and Sweet Potato Flour) for 30 minutes to 1 hour. (Note: Do not marinate overnight or in excess of 3 hours.)
  2. To fry, heat the oil to 375 degrees F in a deep fat fryer or on a stovetop. Make sure you are using a deep pot and oil is at least 2-3 inches deep.
  3. Coat chicken pieces in Sweet Potato Flour thoroughly and fry in 2-3 batches (depending on your frying vessel) for about 5-7 minutes or until chicken is golden.
  4. Fry Basil leaves in the oil until slightly crisp.
  5. Use a slotted spoon to remove chicken and basil, draining on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  6. Use a big bowl or colander to toss fried chicken with the basil leaves.
  7. Mix the Pepper Powder Spice blend (adjusting to your own spice level) and sprinkle generously over fried foods.
  8. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Make sure you listen to Episode 125 Why Taiwan Is Not "Chinese Taipei" with Yone as you make your dish!
  • (1) Can substitute with a shallot.
  • (2) Can substitute with fennel seeds.
  • (3) Can substitute with white rice wine.
  • (4) Can substitute with tapioca starch, but make sure it is coarse.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://thestoriedrecipe.com/tawainese-fried-chicken-recipe/