Taiwanese popcorn chicken is a delicious staple at the night markets. However, when you're craving popcorn chicken at night, sometimes deep-frying at home just isn't an option. This air fryer popcorn chicken recipe makes eating these bite-sized pieces of fried chicken so much more fun to eat and a lot healthier than your typical fried chicken. With the right spices and just a touch of potato starch and cornstarch, you'll get the same crispy, crunchy, juicy pieces you'd find in the heart of Taiwan. Now that you have this quick and easy recipe, you can forget about reheating frozen popcorn chicken in the oven!
If you're looking for a chicken dish that goes great with rice, you can also try my spicy Szechuan chicken recipe or for something that has some delicious sauce, my Kung Pao chicken recipe (with no peanuts!).
How do I air fry popcorn chicken?
Air fryers are like miniature convection ovens. By circulating hot air within the small chamber, it helps to emulate the same environment an oven would, thus helping to crisp up the chicken with minimal oil. The important thing to note is to dust off as much cornstarch as you can when you're moving the chicken pieces into the air fryer. We don't want the chicken to taste too heavy because of the batter.
Plus, making popcorn chicken in the air fryer makes for much easier clean up! Simply soak your basket with soapy water.
If you're as much of a fan of air fryers as me, try my 15-minute air fryer salt and pepper tofu or air fryer Korean chicken wings.
Ingredients
- Chicken thighs: Make sure you're using boneless, skinless chicken thighs for easy preparation. This cut will yield the juiciest pieces. However, even if you're not able to find boneless, skinless thighs, you can always use the bones to make a delicious chicken broth and air fry the skins after for some paleo chicken skin strips.
- Chinese five spice powder: Five spice powder is a delectable mix of spices that add fragrance to any dish.
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- White pepper
- Chili powder: I like adding just a touch of chili powder for a bit of a kick, but you're free to omit to your liking.
- Salt
- Light soy sauce
- Corn starch and potato starch: The potato starch helps to replicate the same texture you find with Taiwanese fried popcorn chicken, but might not be easily found at supermarkets. We'll use a 50/50 mixture, but if you don't have potato starch, feel free to sub completely with cornstarch.
- Thai basil: If you don't have Thai basil, you can use any basil you have on hand. I use Mexican basil since it's easier for me to obtain.
Step-by-step instructions
- Cut chicken thighs into 1 inch cubes. Pat dry.
- Combine five spice powder, onion powder, garlic powder, white pepper, salt, and soy sauce into a bowl. Mix well.
- Marinade chicken thighs in spice mix and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Prepare air fryer, pre-heat for 7 minutes at 400 F.
- While air fryer is pre-heating, mix 50/50 potato starch and corn starch. Lightly dredge thigh pieces with starch mix. I use a pair of chopsticks to roll and dust off. You can also put the starch mixture in a plastic bag and shake it up with the chicken thighs to ensure even coating.
- Spray the basket with a neutral oil. Place thighs into air fryer and ensure there is space between each piece. Spray the top of the chicken lightly. Cook at 400 F for 6 minutes.
- After 6 minutes, turn each piece over and cook for another 6 minutes.
- Lower the temperature to 375 F, shake the basket up. Cook for another 4-5 minutes.
- If your air fryer is smaller, you may need to do this in 2 batches.
- In your last batch, spray your basil with a bit of oil and add in for the last 4-5 minutes to crisp up with the chicken.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Taiwan Popcorn Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoon light soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon potato starch (sub with corn starch)
- 2 tablespoon corn starch
- Thai basil
- Neutral oil (for air fryer basket)
Instructions
- Cut chicken thighs into 1 inch cubes. Pat dry.
- Combine five spice powder, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, white pepper, salt, and soy sauce into a bowl. Mix well.
- Marinade chicken thighs in spice mix and let sit for 30 minutes.
- Prepare air fryer, pre-heat for 7 minutes at 400 F.
- While air fryer is pre-heating, potato starch and corn starch. Lightly dredge thigh pieces with starch mix.
- Spray the basket with a neutral oil. Place thighs into air fryer and ensure there is space between each piece. Spray the top of the chicken lightly. Cook at 400 F for 6 minutes.
- After 6 minutes, turn each piece over and cook for another 6 minutes.
- Lower the temperature to 375 F, shake the basket up. Cook for another 4-5 minutes.
- In your last batch, spray your basil with a bit of oil and add in for the last 4-5 minutes to crisp up with the chicken.
Amy Liu Dong says
Such an easy and delicious recipe. I am sure my husband and my kids will love it.
Julia says
I hope so too!
Leslie says
I am loving this Taiwanese popcorn chicken recipe! Such great flavors and using the air fryer is the best way to enjoy popcorn chicken!! YUM!
Julia says
Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
Brianna May says
This recipe sounds amazing! I will being try it out ASAP. I love to make anything in the air fryer.
Jere Cassidy says
I am still waiting to get an air fryer, but I can still make this with all your seasonings in the oven.
Jen says
I havent been to Taiwan but I must try the recipes from there! This looks easy to make and delicious.
PantherHouse says
This is a legit recipe that is super easy. Our whole family loves it.
Debra says
These were awesome. So tasty, nice and crisp and I loved doing the chicken in the air fryer so it didn't heat up the house.
Amanda says
What a delicious recipe! My whole family loved it!
Swathi says
Airfryer popcorn chicken looks yum
Freya says
This was so good and quick to prep!
Kayla DiMaggio says
Popcorn chicken is my kids favorite! I loved your recipe!
Oscar says
I love using my air fryer. Going to try this recipe out this weekend.
Addie says
So crispy and delicious!
Ramona says
I’ve made this recipe yesterday and it was incredible. I will definitely make it again very soon.
Jenny says
The perfect snack! I love your seasonings. The popcorn chicken came out absolutely delicious. Thanks so much!
Gloria says
Who needs takeout when you can do this at home. The perfect little bites of goodness. Great as an appetizer for part of the main meal.
Enriqueta E Lemoine says
So delicious and so easy to make. These chicken nuggets have my children's names on them! Thanks for sharing!
Chef Dennis says
Yum! My sons will surely love this air fryer popcorn chicken! It will be perfect while watching our favorite movies.
Shobelyn Dayrit says
This popcorn chicken looks perfect for any late night craving- with beer, of course. I like that they are air fried, making it less greasy and healthier than the usual deep fried chicken.
Marta says
So quick to prep and cook. The chicken was crunchy on the outside and moist inside. So much flavor in every bite!
Leslie says
What a fun way to make popcorn chicken! I'm loving the flavors you used for this recipe! Delicious!
Veronika says
This recipe looks amazing! This is another reason why I need to buy an air fryer!
Jacqueline Debono says
I've never had popcorn chicken but it looks and sounds really good! My hubby just bought me an airfryer! Hurrah! It's still in the box but adding this recipe to my to make list!
Tristin says
I cannot wait to try out this popcorn chicken recipe! I love trying new recipes in my air fryer.
Alexandra says
So delicious - love that this is prepared in the air fryer. It is so crunchy!
Young says
these were crispy and delicious, glad i was able to make this without oil.