Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken & Tofu
Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken & Tofu
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Tofu
- 1 pound chicken thigh, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 14 ounces firm tofu, cubed
- 1 egg white
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or rice wine
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1/2 cup sweet potato starch
- 1/2 cup Thai basil, fresh leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- as needed cooking oil spray
For the Tofu Coating Mixture
- 1/4 cup sweet potato starch
- 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For Finishing
- 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder, for tossing
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, for tossing
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika powder, for tossing
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the chicken thigh cubes with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine or rice wine, egg white, minced garlic, 1 teaspoon five-spice powder, 1/2 teaspoon white pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix well to ensure all chicken pieces are coated. Marinate for at least 15 minutes while preparing the tofu.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Place the cubed tofu in a bowl and cover with salted water. Let it soak for 30 minutes. After soaking, drain the tofu thoroughly and pat it completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for crispy tofu.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Place the marinated chicken in a separate bowl with 1/2 cup sweet potato starch. Toss until the chicken pieces are generously and evenly coated with the starch.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup sweet potato starch, 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, 1/4 teaspoon paprika powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the dried tofu cubes and toss gently until they are evenly coated with the spice mixture.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Lightly spray the air fryer basket or grill with cooking oil. Arrange the coated chicken and tofu in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches. Spray the tops of the chicken and tofu with additional cooking oil.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 180
- 7
After 20 minutes, add the fresh Thai basil leaves to the air fryer basket with the chicken and tofu. Continue to air fry for another 2 minutes, or until the basil is fragrant and slightly crispy.
⏱️ 2 min•🌡️ 180
- 8
Transfer the cooked popcorn chicken and tofu to a large serving bowl. Sprinkle with an additional 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon paprika powder. Toss well to coat evenly. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken & Tofu
For the Chicken and Tofu
- 1 pound chicken thigh, cut into bite-sized cubes
- 14 ounces firm tofu, cubed
- 1 egg white
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or rice wine
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1/2 cup sweet potato starch
- 1/2 cup Thai basil, fresh leaves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- as needed cooking oil spray
For the Tofu Coating Mixture
- 1/4 cup sweet potato starch
- 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For Finishing
- 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder, for tossing
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, for tossing
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika powder, for tossing
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine the chicken thigh cubes with soy sauce, Shaoxing wine or rice wine, egg white, minced garlic, 1 teaspoon five-spice powder, 1/2 teaspoon white pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix well to ensure all chicken pieces are coated. Marinate for at least 15 minutes while preparing the tofu.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Place the cubed tofu in a bowl and cover with salted water. Let it soak for 30 minutes. After soaking, drain the tofu thoroughly and pat it completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for crispy tofu.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Place the marinated chicken in a separate bowl with 1/2 cup sweet potato starch. Toss until the chicken pieces are generously and evenly coated with the starch.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
In another bowl, combine 1/4 cup sweet potato starch, 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, 1/4 teaspoon paprika powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the dried tofu cubes and toss gently until they are evenly coated with the spice mixture.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Lightly spray the air fryer basket or grill with cooking oil. Arrange the coated chicken and tofu in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches. Spray the tops of the chicken and tofu with additional cooking oil.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
⏱️ 20 min•🌡️ 180 - 7
After 20 minutes, add the fresh Thai basil leaves to the air fryer basket with the chicken and tofu. Continue to air fry for another 2 minutes, or until the basil is fragrant and slightly crispy.
⏱️ 2 min•🌡️ 180 - 8
Transfer the cooked popcorn chicken and tofu to a large serving bowl. Sprinkle with an additional 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon paprika powder. Toss well to coat evenly. Serve immediately.
⏱️ 3 min