Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken (Yán Sū Jī) - Low Calorie
Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken (Yán Sū Jī) - Low Calorie
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
For the Marinade
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Shaoxing wine
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
- 1/2 teaspoon MSG, optional
For Coating and Finishing
- 1/2 cup potato starch
- 1 tablespoon dried basil, for finishing
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the cut chicken pieces with the low sodium soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, garlic powder, onion powder, Chinese five spice powder, and optional MSG. Mix well to ensure all chicken pieces are coated.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Cover the bowl and refrigerate to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for best flavor.
⏱️ 30 min
- 3
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375
- 4
Add the potato starch to the marinated chicken and mix thoroughly until all chicken pieces are evenly coated. The starch should cling to the chicken, creating a light crust.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Arrange the coated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken pieces and continue to air fry for another 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through.
⏱️ 18 min•🌡️ 375
- 7
Transfer the cooked popcorn chicken to a serving plate. Sprinkle generously with dried basil before serving.
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken (Yán Sū Jī) - Low Calorie
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
For the Marinade
- 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Shaoxing wine
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
- 1/2 teaspoon MSG, optional
For Coating and Finishing
- 1/2 cup potato starch
- 1 tablespoon dried basil, for finishing
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the cut chicken pieces with the low sodium soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, garlic powder, onion powder, Chinese five spice powder, and optional MSG. Mix well to ensure all chicken pieces are coated.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Cover the bowl and refrigerate to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for best flavor.
⏱️ 30 min - 3
Preheat your air fryer to 375°F.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 375 - 4
Add the potato starch to the marinated chicken and mix thoroughly until all chicken pieces are evenly coated. The starch should cling to the chicken, creating a light crust.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Arrange the coated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken pieces and continue to air fry for another 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through.
⏱️ 18 min•🌡️ 375 - 7
Transfer the cooked popcorn chicken to a serving plate. Sprinkle generously with dried basil before serving.