THE BEST POPCORN CHICKEN WITH SWEET BASIL (POPULAR TAIWANESE STR

The Best Popcorn Chicken With Sweet Basil (Popular Taiwanese Str image

I prepare and serve this popcorn chicken at a small cafe in Seattle. *** For this recipe, you may use boneless pork loin chop (pounded down 1/4 inch thick), chicken wings, drumsticks, or chicken breast. You must try the Potato Starch! It gives the chicken a light and pleasant crisp! The basil can be eaten together with the chicken. It's a delicious combo.

Provided by xoxofannyxoxo

Time 21m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 (3 lb) package boneless skinless chicken thighs (Cut into bite size pieces)
1 cup thick soy sauce (use Kimlan brand 'Soy Paste', or a thick Terriyaki paste, but try the Soy paste. It has a better fla)
1/4 cup sweet cooking rice wine (Try Kikkoman brand Aji-Mirin or any other brand)
3 tablespoons white pepper
1 teaspoon Chinese five spice powder (you can choose to omit this ingredient if you absolutely cannot find it , but it adds such a wonderf)
2 whole garlic cloves, minced. (cut a few into chips so that you can eat those deep fried too. it's really tasty!)
3 tablespoons sugar (sugar or brown sugar = 2 tablsp) or 3 tablespoons brown sugar (sugar or brown sugar = 2 tablsp)
1 teaspoon sesame oil
10 ounces sweet potato flour (aka SWEET POTATO starch, used for the coating of chicken)
sweet fresh Thai basil (not the Italian Basil)

Steps:

Combine all the ingredients, except the chicken, in a dish or bowl. Mix wel.
Cut Chicken into bite size pieces.
Combine the mixture and the chicken together.
Marinade overnight. (this can keep in the fridge for a few days).
TO Fry: Heat oil to 390 degrees (anywhere from 375-390 should be fine).
Thoroughly, coat the chicken with Potato Starch.
Deep fry in small batches until medium golden brown. (about 1.5 mins ).
Toss with Fresh Basil. You could also add the fresh basil into the oil, with the chicken, for the last 3 secs of frying, but the basil will lose some of its flavor. Be careful of the hot oil splattering when you add in basil.
Finally, you can sprinkle some extra pepper, salt, and 5 spice onto the chicken if you'd like.
Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 530.7, Fat 14.7, SaturatedFat 3.6, Cholesterol 283.3, Sodium 4452.5, Carbohydrate 23.5, Fiber 1.8, Sugar 14.2, Protein 69.6