Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
Ingredients
For the Popcorn Chicken
- 500 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon five spice powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 1/2 cup sweet potato starch
- as needed oil spray, for air fryer
For Serving (Optional)
- as needed salt, to taste
- as needed pepper, to taste
- as needed chili flakes, to taste
- as needed fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Cut the 500g of boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
In a bowl, combine the cut chicken with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon of five spice powder, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add the 2 minced cloves of garlic and 1 inch of grated ginger. Mix all ingredients thoroughly to ensure the chicken is well coated. Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For best results, marinate overnight.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
After marinating, crack 1 egg into the chicken mixture and mix well to combine. Add 2 tablespoons of corn starch to the chicken and mix until it's fully incorporated. Next, add 1/2 cup of sweet potato starch and mix until every piece of chicken is coated. The coating should appear dry and shaggy.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. Cook in batches if necessary. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking time.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 180
- 5
Increase the air fryer temperature to 200°C (400°F). Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 8 min•🌡️ 200
- 6
Transfer the air-fried popcorn chicken to a serving dish. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, and add chili flakes if desired. Garnish with fresh basil, if using. Serve immediately while hot.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
For the Popcorn Chicken
- 500 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 1 teaspoon five spice powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 inch ginger, grated
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons corn starch
- 1/2 cup sweet potato starch
- as needed oil spray, for air fryer
For Serving (Optional)
- as needed salt, to taste
- as needed pepper, to taste
- as needed chili flakes, to taste
- as needed fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Cut the 500g of boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
In a bowl, combine the cut chicken with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of Shaoxing wine, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1 teaspoon of five spice powder, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Add the 2 minced cloves of garlic and 1 inch of grated ginger. Mix all ingredients thoroughly to ensure the chicken is well coated. Cover the bowl and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. For best results, marinate overnight.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
After marinating, crack 1 egg into the chicken mixture and mix well to combine. Add 2 tablespoons of corn starch to the chicken and mix until it's fully incorporated. Next, add 1/2 cup of sweet potato starch and mix until every piece of chicken is coated. The coating should appear dry and shaggy.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. Cook in batches if necessary. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking time.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 180 - 5
Increase the air fryer temperature to 200°C (400°F). Return the chicken to the air fryer and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 8 min•🌡️ 200 - 6
Transfer the air-fried popcorn chicken to a serving dish. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, and add chili flakes if desired. Garnish with fresh basil, if using. Serve immediately while hot.
⏱️ 3 min