Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken Recipe
Ingredients:
**For the Chicken Marinade:**
- 500g (1 lb) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine (or sake)
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
**For the Coating:**
- 1 cup sweet potato starch (or cornstarch)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
**For Frying:**
- Vegetable oil for deep frying
**For Seasoning:**
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
**Optional Garnish:**
- Fried basil leaves
Instructions:
1. **Marinate the Chicken:**
- In a large bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice wine, oyster sauce, sugar, white pepper, five-spice powder, garlic powder, ginger powder, and salt.
- Add the chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1-2 hours for better flavor absorption.
2. **Prepare the Coating:**
- In a shallow dish, mix the sweet potato starch and all-purpose flour.
3. **Coat the Chicken:**
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing any excess marinade to drip off.
- Dredge each piece of chicken in the starch and flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure the coating sticks well.
4. **Heat the Oil:**
- In a deep-fryer or large pot, heat the vegetable oil to 175°C (350°F).
5. **Fry the Chicken:**
- Fry the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Fry each batch for about 4-5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- If using basil leaves, add them to the oil during the last 30 seconds of frying for a crispy garnish.
- Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
6. **Season the Chicken:**
- While the chicken is still hot, sprinkle it with a mixture of salt, white pepper, and five-spice powder.
7. **Serve:**
- Serve the Taiwanese popcorn chicken hot with the crispy basil leaves on top if desired. It can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or part of a meal.
Enjoy your homemade Taiwanese popcorn chicken!
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