Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken | Easy way to cook Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken . If you’ve ever wandered through a night market in Taiwan—or just dreamed of it—you’ve probably heard of Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken. It’s crispy, juicy, and absolutely packed with flavor. One bite, and you’ll understand why it’s so addictive. From the aromatic five-spice marinade to the crunchy holy basil on top, this dish is next-level snacking. It’s kind of like fried chicken, but with that unmistakable Asian twist that makes it pop (literally).
Good news: you can totally make this at home—and yes, we’ve kept it halal-friendly by skipping rice wine and using halal-certified ingredients!
What Makes Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken Special?
Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken—locally called “yán sū jī” (鹽酥雞)—literally means “salt crispy chicken.” It’s a popular street food that originated in the 1970s in Tainan, Taiwan. Legend has it, the Yeh family was trying to copy American chicken nuggets—but instead, they accidentally created this crunchy, savory snack that took the streets by storm.
What sets this dish apart from Western fried chicken is its use of tapioca flour (instead of regular flour) for that signature light and crisp texture, and the addition of fried holy basil—a herby, peppery leaf that adds serious flavor and crunch.
The Ultimate Street Food Snack You’ll Crave Again and Again
If you’ve never tried Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken before, you’re in for a crunchy, flavor-packed treat. This iconic street food from Taiwan is made with bite-sized pieces of juicy chicken, marinated in savory spices, coated in a light, crispy crust, and tossed with crispy fried basil leaves. One bite
Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
Ingredients
Method
- Marinate the Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized chunks. In a bowl, mix in the soy sauce, sugar, five-spice powder, white pepper, and Maggi Magic Sarap. Toss well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (or overnight for best flavor).
- Coat with Tapioca Flour: After marinating, sprinkle in the tapioca flour. To get that signature bumpy coating, add a tablespoon of water and toss again. Let it rest for 3–5 minutes.
- Heat the Oil: In a deep pot, heat oil to around 300°F (or until bubbles form when you dip a wooden chopstick). This lower temp helps the chicken cook fully without burning the outside.
- Fry the Chicken: Fry the chicken in batches for 6–7 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Let it rest on a wire rack (not paper towels!) to keep it crunchy.
- Fry the Holy Basil: Carefully drop the basil leaves into the same oil and fry for about a minute. Be careful—it will splatter! Use a splatter guard or lid for safety.
- Toss and Season: Combine the fried chicken and basil in a large bowl. Sprinkle salt and black pepper on top. Toss gently and serve hot!
Tips for Success – Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken.
- Fry basil first if you want to infuse that herby flavor into the oil
- Pat basil dry before frying to avoid splatter
- Don’t overcrowd the pan—fry in batches to keep everything crisp
How to Enjoy Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken is perfect for:
- Afternoon snacks
- Netflix nights
- Street food-style parties at home
Traditionally served in paper bags or cups, it’s best enjoyed with your hands or a skewer. No rice, no sauce needed. But if you’re home, a glass of cold milk tea, calamansi juice, or wintermelon tea pairs beautifully.
Suggested Sides
Want to make it a full meal? Try it with:
- Sweet potato fries with plum powder
- Fried rice or garlic noodles
- Simple coleslaw for a refreshing crunch
Why You’ll Love This
This isn’t your regular fried chicken. The five-spice adds depth, the soy sauce gives it that Asian umami, and the holy basil? Game changer. It’s crunchy, herby, salty, and just the right amount of spicy.
Is It Halal?
Yes, this version is halal-friendly! We’ve skipped any ingredients that are not permissible (like rice wine), and used pantry-friendly seasonings instead. Just make sure to use halal-certified chicken and soy sauce, and you’re good to go.
🍽 Servings: 5 people
Each person gets a good portion of crispy, bite-sized chicken with fried holy basil—perfect for snacking or as part of a meal.
📊 Approximate per-serving breakdown (based on 5 servings):
- Calories per serving: ~2,084 kcal
- Protein: ~31g
- Fat: ~210g
- Carbohydrates: ~26g
⚠️ Note:
Frying absorbs different amounts of oil depending on temperature and cooking method. The above estimate assumes an average amount of oil absorption. Actual calories may be lower if you drain properly or use less oil.Nutrition Information
Calories: 10419kcal (521%) Carbohydrates: 128g (43%) Protein: 154g (308%) Fat: 1048g (1612%) Saturated Fat: 107g (535%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 283g Monounsaturated Fat: 630g Trans Fat: 4g Cholesterol: 889mg (296%) Sodium: 7866mg (328%) Potassium: 2191mg (63%) Fiber: 3g (12%) Sugar: 13g (14%) Vitamin A: 2014IU (40%) Vitamin C: 6mg (7%) Calcium: 186mg (19%) Iron: 12mg (67%)
✅ Lower-Calorie Tips:
- Air-fry instead of deep fry (reduces fat content significantly).
- Use skinless chicken breast instead of thigh (less fat).
- Pat dry on paper towels or use a wire rack to drain excess oil.
📺 Watch the Recipe in Action — Credit to Panlasang Pinoy
Want to see how Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken is made step-by-step? Here’s a great cooking video by Panlasang Pinoy that shows you the full process—from marinating the chicken to frying it to crispy perfection.
All credit for the video goes to Panlasang Pinoy. I do not own this video—just sharing it because it’s super helpful!
🍽️ Craving More Delicious Recipes?
If you enjoyed this Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken, don’t stop here! I’ve got a whole collection of flavorful recipes waiting for you—perfect for every mood and mealtime. From classic Filipino favorites to tasty snacks and comfort food, there’s something for everyone.
📸 Made This Recipe?
We’d love to see your version of Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken!
👇 Drop a comment below and let us know:
- Did you make it crispy enough?
- Tried it with a twist—like chili flakes or a dipping sauce?
- Air-fried or deep-fried—which team are you on?
- What did your family think?
