Taiwanese Fried Chicken (Popcorn chicken)

Taiwanese Fried Chicken, also known as popcorn chicken, is one of Taiwan’s most iconic and beloved street foods. Found in nearly every night market, this crispy and flavorful snack is made from bite-sized pieces of marinated chicken, coated in sweet potato starch, deep-fried to perfection, and tossed with fresh fried basil leaves for an unmistakable aroma.

Unlike Western fried chicken, Taiwanese popcorn chicken is lighter, crispier, and boldly seasoned — making it perfect as a late-night bite, party snack, or delicious side dish. The marinade is rich with soy sauce, garlic, and five-spice powder, giving each bite a unique and deeply satisfying flavor.

If you’re looking to recreate the taste of Taiwanese night markets at home, this recipe is your ticket to crispy, golden goodness that’s impossible to resist.

Servings 2 people

Prep Time 35

Cook Time 25

Resting Time 0

Total Time 1

Equipment

Air Fryer
Oil Brush

Ingredients

500 g chicken breast (or you can use boneless chicken thighs)
2 tablespoons rice wine
Tapioca Starch (or Potato Starch, for cover chicken cubes)
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons thick soy sauce
1 teaspoon five-spice powder
5 cloves garlic
Pepper powder (optional)
A few fresh basil leaves (optional)

Instructions

Cut chicken breast into about 1-inch cubes and chop garlic, and put in a bowl.
Add 2 tbsp rice wine, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, 2 tbsp thick soy sauce, 1 tbsp five-spice powder, and some pepper powder in the bowl. Mix all together and cover the chicken cubes. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, drain chicken cubes from the marinade.
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (360°F)
Cover them with potato starch and brush with vegetable oil.
Place them in the fry basket and insert them into the air fryer. Cook it for 8 minutes.
After 8 minutes, open the basket and flip the chicken. Continue to cook for 8 minutes.
Open again, place basil in the basket and continue to cook for 2 minutes.
Serve the Taiwanese Fried chicken. Finish and enjoy