Taiwanese popcorn chicken recipe

Name: Taiwanese popcorn chicken recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Ingredients: 1.25 lb chicken thighs (skinless and boneless); 0.85 oz garlic cloves (grated); 0.3 oz ginger (grated); 2 tbsp coconut aminos (or 1 tbsp soy sauce); 1 tsp five-spice powder; 1 tsp coarse sea salt; ½ tsp ground white pepper; ½ tsp ground black pepper; 2 tsp untoasted sesame oil (or olive oil); ½ tbsp mirin (optional); 1 cup Thai basil leaves (or Italian basil); 8 tbsp coarse sweet potato starch (labels with "THICK" on packaging (See notes)); Avocado oil; ¼ tsp five spice powder; ¼ tsp ground white pepper; ¼ tsp garlic powder; ¼ tsp Sichuan peppercorn powder (optional)

Instructions

Prep:15minCook:10min

Taiwanese popcorn chicken (AKA Yan Su Ji or Salt and pepper chicken) with a super crunchy coating, infused with basil flavor. This is an authentic Taiwanese fried chicken recipe and can be made in an air fryer, oven, or stovetop!

Updated at: Mon, 24 Aug 2026 00:08:40 GMT