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Easy Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken

Lara Buchar's Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
13 min
Yields
2 servings

A staple in Taiwanese night markets and boba cafes, these crispy, juicy little nuggets of chicken are loaded with flavour and oh-so poppable. Typically deep-fried, we gave this recipe the air fryer treatment for a slightly healthier twist that’s just as delicious as the original. The key to the Taiwanese popcorn chicken’s uniquely addictive taste is a generous sprinkle of five-spice powder and white pepper, two essential ingredients for the recipe. Although it’s not absolutely necessary to include the Sichuan peppercorns, they provide a playful numbing tingle that really adds to the overall mouthfeel. And while we love using tapioca starch to achieve the deeply satisfying crunch for this recipe, you can sub in cornstarch in a pinch.

Note:  The less common Chinese ingredients used in this dish (Shaoxing wine, five-spice powder, white pepper, Sichuan peppercorns) can be found at Asian grocery stores and some big-box supermarkets.

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ingredients

For the chicken marinade

4
boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch chunks
2
cloves garlic, minced
2
Tbsp soy sauce
½
Tbsp Shaoxing wine
2
tsp sugar
2
tsp five-spice powder
1
tsp white pepper
1
tsp salt
¼
tsp Sichuan peppercorns, crushed (optional)

For the crispy coating

1
cup tapioca starch (or corn starch)
1
tsp white pepper
1
tsp five-spice powder
1
tsp garlic powder

To cook and serve

Cooking spray
1
cup fresh basil leaves
1
green onion, sliced (optional)
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directions

Ingredients for Taiwanese popcorn chicken
Step 1

In a medium-sized bowl, toss chicken pieces with all marinade ingredients, ensuring chicken is coated thoroughly. Marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.

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Marinated chicken for Taiwanese popcorn chicken
Step 2

While chicken marinates, combine all coating ingredients in a large bowl.

Step 3

With wet hands, dredge marinated chicken pieces with coating mixture, squeezing to ensure the coating sticks to the chicken.

Dredged chicken for Taiwanese popcorn chicken
Step 4

Arrange chicken pieces in air fryer basket in an even layer and slightly spaced apart. Spray generously with cooking spray. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to work in batches.

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Taiwanese Air Fryer chicken in air fryer
Step 5

Set air fryer to 400°F and cook chicken for 6 minutes. Remove basket from air fryer and toss chicken, ensuring all pieces are flipped over. If any surfaces of chicken remain white and powdery, spray with additional cooking spray. Return to air fryer to cook at 400°F for an additional 6 minutes. Remove basket from air fryer, add in basil leaves, spray with additional cooking spray and toss. Cook for 1 additional minute at 400°F.

Crispy Taiwanese popcorn chicken in air fryer with basil
Step 6

Remove basket from air fryer and serve, sprinkling with green onions if using.

Air fryer Taiwanese popcorn chicken on a blue patterned plate

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