Taiwanese Fried Chicken is a popular street food known for its crispy, flavorful coating and tender, juicy chicken inside. The dish features boneless chicken pieces marinated in a blend of seasonings, battered, and deep-fried to golden perfection. It’s often seasoned with a combination of spices, and sometimes served with fresh basil leaves that get fried along with the chicken for extra flavor.
Ingredients:
- 500g boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup cold water (or as needed)
- 10-12 fresh Thai basil leaves (optional)
- Vegetable oil for frying
Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice wine
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
Directions:
- Marinate the chicken:
In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice wine, minced garlic, sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper. Add the chicken pieces and mix well to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor). - Prepare the batter:
In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch, flour, five-spice powder, white pepper, garlic powder, salt, and sugar. In another small bowl, beat the egg with cold water to make a batter. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. The batter should be thick enough to coat the chicken pieces. - Fry the chicken:
Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. The oil should be around 350°F (175°C). Coat the marinated chicken pieces in the batter, ensuring they are fully covered. - Optional basil frying:
If using basil, add the fresh basil leaves into the batter, then carefully drop them into the hot oil. Fry until the leaves are crispy and the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (about 5-6 minutes). - Drain and serve:
Remove the chicken and basil from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Serve hot, garnished with additional basil if desired, and enjoy!
Taiwanese Fried Chicken can be served on its own or with a side of dipping sauce, such as soy or spicy mayo. It makes a perfect snack, appetizer, or main dish!
