Taiwanese Popcorn Hen – Panlasang Pinoy

Taiwanese Popcorn Hen is that form of road meals you style as soon as—and immediately begin craving once more. It’s crispy, juicy, and full of daring flavors from five-spice, garlic, and people addictive fried basil leaves. Consider it because the Taiwanese cousin of your favourite fried hen, simply with a punchier kick and ideal for snacking whereas watching Netflix or hanging out. Belief me, when you begin popping these, it’s sport over.

Taiwanese Popcorn Hen is a recognized road meals snack product of juicy marinated hen, dredged in a crisp coating and deep-fried. Should you’re a fan of that satisfying crunch, then this recipe’s going to be proper up your alley. It’s a flavorful bite-sized recipe that I actually assume it is best to strive making at residence.

Most popcorn hen recipes use cornstarch to make these bites crispy, however this one is completely different. I went for a extra genuine batter utilizing tapioca flour. As a result of in Taiwanese meals like fried child oysters or pork chops, they at all times use candy potato or tapioca starch. And we wish this Taiwanese popcorn hen to be genuine. One other factor that makes it pop is using holy basil (tulsi) as a result of it provides a peppery, herby notes that set the flavour. Belief me, this model seems crisp, well-seasoned, and 100% definitely worth the quick time within the kitchen!

What’s Taiwanese Popcorn Hen?

Taiwanese Popcorn Hen, or 鹽酥雞 “yán sū jī”, actually means “salt crispy hen”. It was first found at a road meals stand in Tainan, Taiwan again within the Nineteen Seventies. What actually makes it completely different from different fried hen dishes is its use of candy potato starch or tapioca flour as a substitute of the extra widespread cornstarch. Result’s its gentle, puffy crisp.

It began with the Yeh household who tried to recreate American-style hen nuggets for his or her night time market stand. As a substitute, they unintentionally created one thing even higher, comes the Taiwanese Popcorn Hen. It exploded in reputation and is now some of the iconic Taiwanese road meals gadgets you’ll find not solely in night time markets but in addition in bubble tea retailers and fashionable eating places.

The right way to Cook dinner Taiwanese Popcorn Hen

1. Prep and Marinate the Hen – Minimize 2 lbs. of boneless hen thighs into bite-sized chunks. Ensure the items are roughly equal in measurement for even cooking. Then, place them in a mixing bowl and add 8 grams of Maggi Magic Sarap, 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons 5 spice powder, and 1/2 teaspoon white pepper. Combine totally so each piece will get coated within the marinade. Cowl the bowl and refrigerate it for a minimum of 3 hours. This offers the flavors time to soak into the meat. Skipping this step would depart you with bland hen that solely tastes good on the skin. Should you’re quick on time, go for a minimum of 1 hour, however longer is at all times higher right here.
2. Coat the Hen for Frying – After marinating, take the hen out of the fridge. In the identical bowl, add 1 cup of tapioca flour and gently combine it in together with your arms. To assist the flour stick and clump up barely for that signature bumpy texture, sprinkle round 1 tablespoon of water over the hen and toss once more. Let the coated hen sit for about 3 minutes earlier than frying. This quick relaxation helps the coating stick higher throughout the frying course of.
3. Warmth the Oil to the Proper Temperature – Pour 4 cups of cooking oil right into a deep pot or wok. Warmth it as much as round 300°F. Use a thermometer when you have one. If not, dip the tip of a picket chopstick. If it bubbles steadily, the oil is scorching sufficient. The decrease temp lets the hen prepare dinner via with out burning the coating too quick. Too scorching, and also you’ll find yourself with darkish hen that’s uncooked inside. Too cool, and it’ll absorb the oil and switch greasy.
4. Deep Fry Till Crispy – Add the coated hen items in batches to keep away from overcrowding the pot. Fry them for about 6 to 7 minutes or till the skin is golden brown and the hen inside is totally cooked. Take away the fried hen with a slotted spoon and allow them to drain on a wire rack. Don’t place them on paper towels, as this will entice steam and make the hen soggy. A wire rack permits airflow and retains them crunchy.
5. Flash-Fry the Holy Basil – In the identical scorching oil, drop in 1 cup of holy basil leaves. Fry them for round 1 minute or simply till they’re crisp. Watch out as basil has moisture and might splatter in scorching oil. Stand again and hold a lid close by to cowl the pot if wanted. This step may appear small, however the basil provides a vibrant, natural punch that cuts via the richness of the hen. Skip it and also you’ll miss out on that additional Taiwanese aptitude.
6. Season and Serve – Toss the cooked hen and fried basil collectively in a clear mixing bowl. Sprinkle in 2 teaspoons every of salt and black pepper, and toss all the things till evenly coated. Serve whereas scorching. That’s when the feel and taste are at their absolute peak. Take pleasure in your Taiwanese Popcorn Hen!

Finest Approach to Take pleasure in Taiwanese Popcorn Hen

Taiwanese Popcorn Hen is the form of snack that simply wants a craving! But when we’re being actual, the most effective time to take pleasure in this dish is late afternoon to early night, similar to how locals snack at night time markets. That golden hour when the lights come on and the air begins cooling down? That’s popcorn hen time.

Sometimes, it’s served in paper luggage or small cups for on-the-go snacking alongside the streets of Taiwan. You eat it with a skewer or together with your arms, tossing the crispy basil leaves in between each bit. No rice, no dipping sauce wanted. It’s daring sufficient by itself. However in case you’re consuming at residence, serve it recent and scorching proper out of the fryer with a chilly glass of milk tea or calamansi juice!

How Taiwanese Popcorn Hen Stands Out

This isn’t your common Western popcorn hen. Not like my authentic Popcorn Hen recipe, which leans towards the American fast-food model with an egg dredge and common flour, this Taiwanese model is a very completely different expertise. Lighter, crispier, and full of flavors from five-spice powder, soy sauce, and a aromatic basil end!

I made different popcorn hen dishes, just like the KFC-Type Popcorn Hen with Gravy, however that is completely different. That one was heavy, wealthy, and dipped in gravy, a consolation meals model. This one is lighter, crispier, and deeply fragrant. That is the form of taste that lingers and retains you reaching for yet one more chunk… then yet one more after that.

What to Have With Taiwanese Popcorn Hen

You’ll discover Taiwanese Popcorn Hen in night time markets, usually bought with easy however flavorful companions. One traditional pairing is nice potato fries seasoned with plum powder. They’re crisp, candy, and salty multi functional. Hen and fries, however Taiwanese variations! One other nice aspect is coleslaw, which cuts via the richness with a little bit of tang and crunch.

At residence, you possibly can pair it with fried rice, noodles, and even congee if you need one thing comforting. And naturally, it could by no means go unsuitable with a calming glass of brown sugar milk tea or wintermelon juice. These drinks steadiness out the peppery chunk of the hen and provides that traditional Taiwanese road meals really feel, no passport wanted!

Instructed Recipes: Taiwanese Road Meals

Should you’re planning a full Taiwanese road meals night time, I’ve bought just a few extra recipes that may flip your desk into an actual night time market feast.

• First up, Spicy Beef Noodle Soup (Niurou Mian) – Beef noodle soup is Taiwan’s nationwide dish. Similar to the crispy punch of popcorn hen, this noodle soup brings heat spices and wealthy taste in each chunk.
• Subsequent, Braised Pork Ribs – Pair these with plain white rice or fried rice and also you’ll have what locals name “Lu Rou Fan,” an excellent savory rice topping meal. It shares the identical deeply marinated flavors and soy-forward base that you just get within the popcorn hen.
• Lastly, you possibly can’t speak about Taiwan with out Fried Mushrooms. Mushrooms in night time markets are generally braised with candy soy sauce, and generally they’re fried.

Let me know which one you’re attempting first. However warning: when you strive the actual Taiwanese taste, particularly this Taiwanese Popcorn Hen, you won’t return to common fried hen once more!

Did you make this? Should you snap a photograph, please make sure tag us on Instagram at @panlasangpinoy or hashtag #panlasangpinoy so we are able to see your creations!

Taiwanese Popcorn Hen

Crispy bite-sized breaded fried hen with holy basil

Prep: 25 minutes minutes

Cook dinner: 12 minutes minutes

Marinating time: 3 hours hours

Complete: 3 hours hours 37 minutes minutes

Components

Remaining seasoning components:

Directions

• Slice the hen into chunk sized items.

  2 lbs. boneless hen thighs

• Organize sliced hen in a mixing bowl and add the marinade components. Combine properly. Cowl the bowl. Refrigerate for a minimum of 3 hours.

  8 grams Maggi Magic Sarap, 2 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon granulated white sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons 5 spice powder, 1/2 teaspoon floor white pepper

• Mix 1 cup of tapioca flour with the marinated hen. Sprinkle round 1 tablespoon of water and dredge the hen till it will get utterly coated. Let it keep for a minimum of 3 minutes.

  1 cup tapioca flour

• Warmth the oil to 300F.

  4 cups cooking oil

• Deep fry the hen for six to 7 minutes.

• Take away from the pot and organize over a wire rack.

• Fry the basil for 1 minute.

  1 cup holy basil

• Place all the things in a clear mixing bowl. (See notes³)

• Sprinkle salt and floor black pepper. Toss.

  2 teaspoons salt, 2 teaspoon floor black pepper

• Serve and luxuriate in!

Notes

1. Holy basil (additionally referred to as tulsi in India or bai kraprao in Thailand) is a aromatic herb that’s generally utilized in Southeast Asian cooking. It has a peppery, clove-like, barely spicy taste that’s fairly completely different from the candy and delicate style of Italian basil (aka “regular basil” in most kitchens). Apart from that, holy basil holds up properly to frying whereas the traditional basil wilts shortly, so it’s not likely appropriate in our Taiwanese Popcorn Hen.
2. Chinese language 5-Spice Powder is a traditional seasoning combine made up of, you guessed it, 5 spices. First, now we have star anise, which provides a candy licorice aroma to our popcorn hen. Subsequent, cloves for the wealthy and barely bitter steadiness. Cassia, or Chinese language cinnamon, provides a candy and spicy assault. Sichuan peppercorns are numbing and citrusy, and fennel seeds are candy and fragrant. The spices don’t punch you within the face, it simply lingers and leaves you wanting extra.
3. Should you toss holy basil with crispy fried popcorn hen, it’ll turn out to be virtually powdery. It is because after frying, they curl up, crisp up, and shatter like paper-thin chips. Now, when you toss these crispy holy basil bits with the fried hen, the residual warmth and motion from tossing make the basil crumble much more. They break down into these aromatic, virtually powdery specks that coat the hen.

Diet Info

Energy: 10419kcal (521%) Carbohydrates: 128g (43%) Protein: 154g (308%) Fats: 1048g (1612%) Saturated Fats: 107g (535%) Polyunsaturated Fats: 283g Monounsaturated Fats: 630g Trans Fats: 4g Ldl 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%)

© copyright: Vanjo Merano