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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Published: Jul 21, 2021 · Modified: Feb 20, 2024 by Julia · This post may contain affiliate links · 28 Comments

    Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    A healthy air fryer Taiwanese popcorn chicken recipe that's reminiscent of the crispy, crunchy, and juicy night market snack.

    Air fryer Taiwanese popcorn chicken with Thai basil.
    Jump to:
    • How do I air fry popcorn chicken?
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews

    Taiwanese popcorn chicken is a delicious staple at the night markets. This air fryer popcorn chicken recipe makes these bite-sized pieces of fried chicken a healthier and easier alternative. 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.

    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 moving the chicken pieces into the air fryer.

    Plus, making popcorn chicken in the air fryer makes for much easier clean up! Simply soak your basket with soapy water afterwards.

    If you're as much of a fan of air fryers as me, try my 15-minute air fryer salt and pepper tofu, Chinese Five Spice Air Fryer Chicken Wings 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 powder
    • 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 of the two starches, 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 found at the grocery stores although the flavor profile will be slightly different.
    Air fryer Taiwanese popcorn chicken with Thai basil.

    Instructions

    1. Cut chicken thighs into 1 inch cubes. Pat dry.
    2. Combine five spice powder, onion powder, garlic powder, white pepper, salt, and soy sauce into a bowl. Mix well.popcorn chicken spice mix
    3. Marinade chicken thighs in spice mix and set aside for 30 minutes.marinade chicken
    4. Prepare air fryer, pre-heat for 7 minutes at 400 F.
    5. 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.
    6. 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.chicken thigh in air fryer
    7. After 6 minutes, turn each piece over and cook for another 6 minutes.
    8. Lower the temperature to 375 F, shake the basket up. Cook for another 4-5 minutes.
    9. If your air fryer is smaller, you may need to do this in 2 batches.
    10. 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.
    Air fryer Taiwanese popcorn chicken with Thai basil.

    Storage

    Allow the chicken to cool complete and store in an airtight container. Store the popcorn chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until heated through and crispy again.

    FAQs

    Can I use chicken breast instead of chicken thighs?

    Yes, you can substitute chicken breast for chicken thighs in this recipe. However, be cautious of overcooking, as chicken breast tends to dry out faster than thighs.

    Is there a substitute for Chinese five spice powder if I don't have it on hand?

    If you don't have Chinese five spice powder, you can make a simple substitute by combining equal parts ground cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, star anise, and Szechuan peppercorns. However, the flavor profile may vary slightly.

    Can I skip the marinating step or marinate the chicken for longer than 30 minutes?

    While marinating for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to penetrate the chicken, you can marinate it longer for a more intense flavor. Alternatively, you can skip the marinating step if you're short on time, but the flavor may not be as pronounced.

    Can I use other types of starch for coating the chicken?

    Yes, if you don't have potato starch or corn starch, you can use arrowroot starch or tapioca starch as alternatives. They serve the same purpose of providing a crispy coating to the chicken.

    How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?

    The chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) as measured by a meat thermometer, or when the juices run clear and there is no pinkness in the center of the chicken pieces.

    📖 Recipe

    Air fryer Taiwanese popcorn chicken with Thai basil.
    Print Pin
    5 from 36 votes

    Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken

    An air fryer popcorn chicken recipe that's reminiscent of the crispy, crunchy, and juicy Taiwanese night market snack.
    Course Side Dish, Snack
    Cuisine Taiwanese
    Prep Time 37 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 14 minutes minutes
    Total Time 51 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 320kcal
    Author Julia

    Equipment

    • Air fryer

    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 powder
    • 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 leaves
    • Neutral oil spray (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 in a bowl. Toss to mix dry ingredients.
    • Marinade chicken thighs in spice mix and let sit for 30 minutes.
    • Pre-heat air fryer for 7 minutes at 400 °F.
    • While air fryer is pre-heating, mix 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 7 minutes.
    • After 7 minutes, turn each piece over and cook for another 7 minutes. Total cooking time should be 12 minutes. Remove from air fryer and set aside.
    • Repeat steps 6-7 if air frying in batches.
    • In your last batch, add the Thai basil leaves for the last 4-5 minutes. Spray with oil so the leaves crisp up with the chicken.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 15g

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    • Crispy baked tofu nuggets.
      Crispy Baked Tofu Nuggets (Vegan)
    • Air fryer salt and pepper tofu.
      15-Minute Air Fryer Salt and Pepper Tofu
    • Air Fryer Korean Chicken Wings
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy Liu Dong says

      July 22, 2021 at 12:56 am

      5 stars
      Such an easy and delicious recipe. I am sure my husband and my kids will love it.

      Reply
      • Julia says

        July 22, 2021 at 9:18 am

        I hope so too!

        Reply
    2. Leslie says

      July 22, 2021 at 7:16 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Julia says

        July 22, 2021 at 9:18 am

        Glad you enjoyed! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Brianna May says

      July 22, 2021 at 10:13 am

      5 stars
      This recipe sounds amazing! I will being try it out ASAP. I love to make anything in the air fryer.

      Reply
    4. Jere Cassidy says

      July 22, 2021 at 8:54 pm

      5 stars
      I am still waiting to get an air fryer, but I can still make this with all your seasonings in the oven.

      Reply
    5. Jen says

      July 22, 2021 at 8:57 pm

      5 stars
      I havent been to Taiwan but I must try the recipes from there! This looks easy to make and delicious.

      Reply
      • PantherHouse says

        October 21, 2022 at 12:21 pm

        5 stars
        This is a legit recipe that is super easy. Our whole family loves it.

        Reply
    6. Debra says

      July 22, 2021 at 9:12 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    7. Amanda says

      July 22, 2021 at 9:14 pm

      5 stars
      What a delicious recipe! My whole family loved it!

      Reply
    8. Swathi says

      July 22, 2021 at 9:57 pm

      5 stars
      Airfryer popcorn chicken looks yum

      Reply
    9. Freya says

      July 22, 2021 at 11:05 pm

      5 stars
      This was so good and quick to prep!

      Reply
    10. Kayla DiMaggio says

      July 23, 2021 at 7:31 am

      5 stars
      Popcorn chicken is my kids favorite! I loved your recipe!

      Reply
    11. Oscar says

      July 23, 2021 at 6:25 pm

      5 stars
      I love using my air fryer. Going to try this recipe out this weekend.

      Reply
    12. Addie says

      July 24, 2021 at 9:28 am

      5 stars
      So crispy and delicious!

      Reply
    13. Ramona says

      July 25, 2021 at 6:09 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve made this recipe yesterday and it was incredible. I will definitely make it again very soon.

      Reply
    14. Jenny says

      July 26, 2021 at 8:58 am

      5 stars
      The perfect snack! I love your seasonings. The popcorn chicken came out absolutely delicious. Thanks so much!

      Reply
    15. Gloria says

      July 26, 2021 at 12:51 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    16. Enriqueta E Lemoine says

      July 26, 2021 at 2:39 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious and so easy to make. These chicken nuggets have my children's names on them! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    17. Chef Dennis says

      July 26, 2021 at 2:47 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! My sons will surely love this air fryer popcorn chicken! It will be perfect while watching our favorite movies.

      Reply
    18. Shobelyn Dayrit says

      July 26, 2021 at 4:21 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    19. Marta says

      July 29, 2021 at 5:56 am

      5 stars
      So quick to prep and cook. The chicken was crunchy on the outside and moist inside. So much flavor in every bite!

      Reply
    20. Leslie says

      July 30, 2021 at 5:10 am

      5 stars
      What a fun way to make popcorn chicken! I'm loving the flavors you used for this recipe! Delicious!

      Reply
    21. Veronika says

      July 30, 2021 at 7:25 am

      5 stars
      This recipe looks amazing! This is another reason why I need to buy an air fryer!

      Reply
    22. Jacqueline Debono says

      July 30, 2021 at 9:58 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    23. Tristin says

      July 31, 2021 at 8:54 pm

      5 stars
      I cannot wait to try out this popcorn chicken recipe! I love trying new recipes in my air fryer.

      Reply
    24. Alexandra says

      September 05, 2021 at 5:09 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious - love that this is prepared in the air fryer. It is so crunchy!

      Reply
    25. Young says

      August 07, 2022 at 2:04 pm

      5 stars
      these were crispy and delicious, glad i was able to make this without oil.

      Reply
    5 from 36 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm J! I'm a marketer by day, food photographer and recipe-tester by any other time available. The Floured Camera was born from my need to make quick, delicious, and (sometimes) healthy dishes for when I'm craving my favorite Asian childhood dishes!

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