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CRISPY SALT & PEPPER POPCORN CHICKEN

Crispy Salt & Pepper Popcorn Chicken

Packed full of flavour, these little chicken morsels make a terrific snack. They are easy to prepare, and so much classier than regular fried chicken!
4.92 from 46 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Snack
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 14 oz chicken thighs boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • vegetable oil for deep-frying
  • 1 eggs free-range
  • 125 grams cornflour cornstarch 4½ oz / 1 cup
  • handful Thai basil leaves
  • 1 tablespoon Chinese five-spice
  • Chipotle mayonnaise to serve

Soy & Shaoxing marinade

  • 2 clove garlic finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons Shaoxing wine
  • ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon white sugar

Instructions
 

To Marinate the Chicken

  • Combine the marinade ingredients in a large bowl.
  • Add the chicken pieces, making sure to completely coat them.
  • Cover and marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour.

To Fry the Chicken

  • Two-thirds fill a deep-fryer or large heavy-based saucepan with vegetable oil.
  • Heat to 170°C (325ºF), or until a cube of bread dropped into the oil turns golden brown in 20 seconds.
  • Whisk the egg in a small bowl, and place the cornflour in a separate bowl.
  • Working in batches, dip the chicken pieces in the egg, then the cornflour, and place into the oil.
  • Fry for 3–4 minutes, until golden.
  • Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. Drop the fresh basil leaves into the oil for a few seconds, then remove.

To Serve the Chicken

  • Place the fried chicken in a serving dish.
  • Sprinkle with the fried basil leaves and the five-spice powder.
  • Toss to ensure all the chicken pieces are evenly coated.
  • Serve immediately, with the chipotle mayonnaise.

Notes

CRISPY SALT & PEPPER POPCORN CHICKEN
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