Let’s make a popular Taiwanese street food recipe in the air fryer! This air fryer Taiwanese popcorn chicken is just as crispy, and tender as our Taiwanese fried chicken version. So you can have all of the mouthwatering flavors without any of the guilt!

This Taiwanese chicken recipe is super versatile. You can serve it as a quick snack, an appetizer, or a protein option for a main dish.

Ingredients

You can find all the ingredients for this air fryer Taiwanese popcorn chicken at your local Asian grocery store.

• Chicken thighs: are the juiciest cut in the chicken that will yield the juiciest results.
• Garlic: is the main aromatic and adds a rich garlic seasoning to the chicken.
• Shaoxing Wine: acts as a tenderizing agent that adds a briny, sweet, caramel-like flavor.
• Soy Sauce: adds a hint of salty umami goodness.
• Chicken Bouillon Powder: a popular ingredient in Asian cooking that adds a rich savory chicken flavor.
• Salt: to season the chicken.
• White pepper: is a bright, earthy, and milder version of black pepper. It is commonly used in Taiwanese cuisine.
• Garlic powder: enhances the garlic flavor.
• Five Spice Powder: contains a combination of star anise, cloves, cinnamon, Sichuan peppercorns, and fennel that adds a warm comforting spice flavor.
• Sugar: sweetens the chicken thighs and creates a harmonious balance with the other spices.
• Vegetable Oil: aids in helping the chicken retain its moisture and tenderizes the meat.
• Egg: an egg acts as a binding agent for the chicken
• Sweet Potato Flour: or thick sweet potato starch has larger granules than regular flour and gives the fried popcorn chicken that distinctive raggedy, crunchy exterior.
• Thai Basil Leaves: adds a savory, anise-like, peppery flavor that complements the Taiwanese popcorn chicken nicely.

Seasoning Blend

The seasoning mixture is made up of similar spices in the marinade to reinforce the flavor and add another layer of warm spices.

• Salt, White Pepper, Sugar, Five Spice Powder
• Paprika: paprika adds a sweet, smoky, and spicy flavor that can be adjusted to taste.

Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions

• Chicken: instead of chicken thighs, you can use whichever cut of chicken you prefer.
• Breading: instead of sweet potato flour, you can alternatively use panko breadcrumbs, cornstarch or rice flour.

Additions

• Sichuan peppercorn: for a mouth-numbing, spicy kick.
• Cayenne: for an even spicier heat level.
• Sauce: you can serve your Taiwanese popcorn chicken with a side of garlic aioli, sweet chili sauce, or plum sauce.

How to Make Air Fryer Taiwanese Chicken

Here are the step-by-step photo instructions on how to make this air fryer Taiwanese chicken recipe. See the recipe card below for full measurements and detailed instructions.

1. In a large mixing bowl, add chicken with garlic, Shaoxing wine, soy sauce, salt, white pepper, garlic powder, five spice powder, chicken bouillon powder, sugar, oil, and egg for a minimum of 30 minutes.

2. Dredge each piece of chicken in the sweet potato flour until evenly coated throughout.
3. Grease the air fryer basket with neutral oil and place the chicken in a single layer working in batches to prevent crowding. Then brush the chicken with more neutral oil.

4. Air fry the chicken at 360°F (182°C) for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken and increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) then brush more oil and cook for an additional 5-7 more minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
5. Lightly grease the basil leaves with neutral oil and air fry at 350°F (176°C) for 2 minutes.

4. In a small bowl mix together the seasoning mixture. Once the chicken is cooked, add to a large mixing bowl and toss the chicken with the seasoning to taste.

Storage Instructions

This popcorn chicken is best served immediately. You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheat: place the chicken in the air fryer basket, coat it with a layer of oil, and reheat at 350°F (176°C) for 3-5 or until warm.

Freeze: you can make this Taiwanese popcorn chicken recipe in advance and freeze the chicken in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 3 months. You do not need to defrost to reheat. Simply place them in the air fryer frozen.

Pairing Suggestions

Taiwanese popcorn chicken is best served as a snack on its own but you can make it a more complete meal with the following suggestions below.

• Rice dishes such as egg fried rice, garlic fried rice, Thai basil fried rice, or shrimp fried rice.
• Noodle dishes such as Vietnamese garlic noodles, garlic chili oil noodles, soy sauce pan-fried noodles, or yaki udon.
• Vegetables such as garlic bok choy, Din Tai Fung cucumber salad, or blistered shishito peppers.
• Dessert such as Taiwanese castella cake.

FAQ

Is the air fryer Taiwanese popcorn chicken crispy?

Yes! You can create crispy Taiwanese popcorn chicken in the air fryer. It will use way less oil and be a healthier option that is just as juicy.

What type of flour do I batter Taiwanese popcorn chicken with?

Sweet potato starch is the most commonly used batter for Taiwanese popcorn chicken. It contains larger granules than regular flour which creates a crispy texture when air fried.

What are dipping sauces that pair well with Taiwanese chicken?

Some of my favorite dipping sauces to pair with this air fryer recipe include sweet chili sauce, spicy mayo, garlic aioli, or even teriyaki sauce.

Air Fryer Taiwanese Chicken Recipe