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Crispy Salt & Pepper Popcorn Chicken
4.9 from 138 votes

Crispy Salt & Pepper Popcorn Chicken

This Crispy Salt & Pepper Popcorn Chicken features bite-sized chicken thigh pieces marinated in a savory blend including soy sauce and Shaoxing wine, then coated in egg and cornflour for a crisp finish. The chicken is deep-fried to golden perfection along with Thai basil leaves that add an aromatic crispness. Finished with Chinese five-spice seasoning and served with chipotle mayonnaise, this recipe balances crunch and aromatic seasoning making it a flavorful snack or appetizer option.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
50 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

  • 14 oz chicken thighs x4, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • vegetable oil for deep-frying
  • 1 egg free-range
  • 1 cup cornflour cornstarch
  • Thai basil handful, leaves
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice
  • mayonnaise to serve, chipotle
Soy & Shaoxing marinade
  • 2 clove garlic finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons Shaoxing wine
  • ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon salt sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon white sugar

Instructions

To Marinate the Chicken
    Cup of Yum
  1. Combine the marinade ingredients in a large bowl.
  2. Add the chicken pieces, making sure to completely coat them.
  3. Cover and marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour.
To Fry the Chicken
  1. Two-thirds fill a deep-fryer or large heavy-based saucepan with vegetable oil.
  2. Heat to 170°C (325ºF), or until a cube of bread dropped into the oil turns golden brown in 20 seconds.
  3. Whisk the egg in a small bowl, and place the cornflour in a separate bowl.
  4. Working in batches, dip the chicken pieces in the egg, then the cornflour, and place into the oil.
  5. Fry for 3–4 minutes, until golden.
  6. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. Drop the fresh basil leaves into the oil for a few seconds, then remove.
To Serve the Chicken
  1. Place the fried chicken in a serving dish.
  2. Sprinkle with the fried basil leaves and the five-spice powder.
  3. Toss to ensure all the chicken pieces are evenly coated.
  4. Serve immediately, with the chipotle mayonnaise.

Notes