Our Homemade Low Carb Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken will be your favorite from now on. It is a super easy, crispy and juicy recipe. These low-carb fried chicken pops are what you get from the street night markets and taste like an authentic chicken coated recipe from Taiwan, considering all the ingredients are gluten-free and sugar-free.
My whole family was excited when I made it the first time, as this dish was unusual. It was not regular popcorn chicken, but it had flavors they had never experienced before.
It is excellent to have this popcorn chicken together with white pickled daikon, Korean pickled radish, and purple daikon radish for a beautiful contrast to the flavor of the chicken. Ultimately, it’s also best to pair with air-fried dill pickle.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Tender and Crispy: This popcorn chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with all the flavors from the marinated chicken. When you bite into these chicken pops, you suddenly realize you need a good dipping sauce, and I suggest some of them below.
- Fun to Make: Like the orange chicken in an air fryer, this recipe is really fun to make. It is easy to follow and has easy-to-find ingredients. You will be more than satisfied once you taste the final result because of all the combinations of flavors you might have never tried.
- Perfect for Snacks: This Taiwanese popcorn chicken is similar to chicken nuggets and makes a great snack or appetizer for sharing with friends and family, whether watching a movie at home or hosting a small party with friends.
What Is Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken?
Taiwanese popcorn chicken is a popular snack or meal made from small pieces of chicken coated in a crispy batter and fried until golden brown. It is called “popcorn” chicken because the bite-sized pieces look like popcorn in size and shape. It is kind of the same as this popcorn chicken recipe and air fryer chicken bites but the difference is it includes basil leaves and are deep fried.
Chicken is typically seasoned with spices, such as garlic, ginger, and Chinese five-spice powder. It is fun to make at home, especially if you already have those seasonings in your pantry, like me.
Is It A Street Food In Taiwan?
Yes, Taiwanese popcorn chicken is a popular street snack. Some friends who went to Taiwan say it is usually found at night markets, food stalls, and casual eateries throughout the country.
They also shared that Taiwanese street vendors usually fry up batches of popcorn chicken immediately, serving it hot and crispy to hungry customers. If I ever travel to Taiwan, I will try these.
Fried Thai Basil
If you are wondering why basil leaves are also fried with the fried chicken, it is their traditional way of incorporating the basil flavor into the popcorn chicken. The basil will turn extra crispy like the chicken pops, making it suitable and more flavorful.
People say it is a practice in Taiwanese cuisine where fresh herbs and spices are usually added to fried dishes like this fried chicken recipe. I find it interesting because I love making homemade spices; sometimes, I collect and dry herbs independently.
Best Dipping Sauces For Popcorn Chicken
One of the things I love, when I make dishes like this popcorn chicken, is that I dip them into my homemade dips and sauces. Here are some of my favorite dipping sauces:
- Worcestershire Sauce – Our homemade Worcestershire sauce is perfect for grilled meats and fried food.
- BBQ Sauce – This BBQ sauce is one of my favorites and perfect as a dipping sauce for chicken jerky. I know it will also pair well with this Taiwanese chicken pop.
- Buffalo Ranch Sauce – This buffalo ranch sauce is the one I recently made, and pairing it with this chicken popcorn is unexpectedly good. You can also try this buffalo chicken dip made rich with this sauce as well.
- Ranch Sauce – Try our ranch dressing recipe for a creamy and different dipping sauce for your chicken. Most fast-food restaurants have ranch sauce in their sauce choices, but you will love this one I made since it is sugar-free and keto-friendly.
- Cheese Dip – do not forget this low-carb cheese dip recipe I have been making ever since for my crispy snacks made at home. For cheese lovers out there, you know that chicken pairs well with cheese, right?
How To Make Crispy Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken Recipe
Let me walk you through this easy recipe following all the step-by-step instructions I prepared. You are free to make some adjustments regarding the use of each ingredient. Check the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
I also made a video for you if you want a visual guide with all the details and instructions.
Kitchen Gadgets Needed:
- Mixing Bowl: You will need bowls to marinate the chicken and coat it afterward. A medium-sized one will do, depending on how much you are making.
- Frying Pan: Use a frying pan or a pot for deep frying since you will deeply fry the chicken with the basil leaves.
- Strainer: A strainer drains the excess oil from the fried chicken and basil once cooked.
Ingredients Needed:
- Chicken Breasts: This recipe uses a boneless and juicy chicken breast as its base. For a richer flavor, you can also use skinless chicken thighs.
- Soy Sauce: A good amount of soy sauce will add a savory and salty flavor to the chicken.
- Ground Ginger: Ground or grated ginger adds an aromatic spice to the seasoning mix. If not available, try white pepper as a substitute.
- Granulated Garlic: A homemade granulated garlic adds a garlic flavor to the marinade without the hassle of preparing minced or grated garlic.
- Onion Powder: A little onion powder will help enhance the overall flavor of the marinade mixture.
- White Wine: This white wine will add acidity and brightness to the marinade.
- Egg White: It will help bind the marinade to the chicken pieces.
- Five Spice Powder: Adding five-spice powder to the mixture will help with the overall depth of flavor.
- Sweetener: Sweetener will balance all the savory flavors from the seasonings. You can use your preferred sweetener or any low-carb homemade sweetener.
For Crispy Coating:
- Ground Breadcrumbs: Look for a low-carb or gluten-free one, or make homemade breadcrumbs for a customized breading recipe.
- Ground Pork Rinds: These ground air-fried pork rinds are a keto-friendly alternative to breadcrumbs, adding crunch and flavor to the coating.
- Almond Meal: It will add a slight nuttiness and texture to the crispy coating while keeping it low-carb and gluten-free.
- Baking Powder: When fried, baking powder will help the coating achieve a light and airy texture.
- Fresh Basil: Finely chopped basil adds an herbal aroma to this recipe. For an authentic touch, you can use Taiwanese basil or substitute it with regular basil.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING THIS RECIPE
First Step: Prepare All The Ingredients Needed
First, prepare your chicken by washing and chopping it into small pieces for a perfect popcorn chicken size, but keep it manageable.
Prepare the seasonings in a small storage container with the right measurements. This will make it easier for you to prepare the whole recipe. Do the same for the liquid ingredients like soy sauce, white wine, and egg whites.
Also, prepare the ingredients for coating the chicken and just set them aside. You can prepare them for later when the chicken is marinating.
Second Step: Prepare The Marinade Mix
In a bowl, add all the seasonings to marinate the chicken. Add the soy sauce first, followed by all the dry seasonings. Add the egg whites and white wine last, then mix well with a whisk until all the ingredients are fully combined.
Third Step: Marinate The Chicken
After making the seasoning mixture, pour into the chicken pieces and mix using a rubber spatula until they are evenly coated. Seasoning the chicken is essential as the taste of the final dish should be infused with each chicken piece.
Cover with a plastic or cling wrap and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight for maximum flavor.
Fourth Step: Coat The Chicken
While the chicken is marinating, prepare the coating by adding the breadcrumbs, ground pork rinds, almond meal, and baking powder to a separate mixing bowl. Whisk them all together until fully combined.
Once the marinated chicken pieces are ready, toss them into the mixture and coat them evenly. I use a tweezer to coat each chicken and set it aside before frying. You can also coat them with your bare hands.
Set aside the coated chicken and prepare your frying pan with enough oil, which must be deep-fried.
Fifth Step: Fry The Chicken
After heating the olive oil to 350°F (175°C), fry the chicken one by one until they turn golden brown and crispy. Do it for about 3-4 minutes per batch. Make sure to make some space for them to be fried evenly.
While frying, gently add the basil leaves and fry them with the chicken.
Sixth Step: Drain the Chicken
Drain the excess olive oil using a strainer once the chicken pops are cooked and super crispy.
Remember to include the fried basil leaves when you take out the chicken popcorn. You will serve them together. Place them in a bowl, and they are ready to enjoy.
TOP TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST TAIWANESE POPCORN CHICKEN:
- Sweetener – instead of sugar or sweeteners, use a sugar-free alternative like erythritol or homemade stevia power.
- Breading – using a combination of almond meal, ground pork rinds, and a little baking powder will add crispiness without the carbs from breadcrumbs, corn starch, and tapioca flour in a traditional Taiwanese popcorn chicken.
- Oil for frying – choose a healthy oil for frying your popcorn chicken, like avocado or olive oil.
- Prepare ahead – if you plan on having a party or gathering for the next days or weeks, you can prepare by marinating the chopped chicken and coating and frying it on the day you need it.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Substitute For Coarse Sweet Potato Flour
When choosing a low-carb or keto substitute for coating Taiwanese popcorn chicken, you can consider using:
- Almond Flour – this gluten-free alternative can help achieve a crunchy coating similar to sweet potato flour while keeping the dish low in carbs.
- Coconut Flour – is another good alternative since it absorbs moisture well and creates a crispy texture in any fried chicken recipe.
- Ground Pork Rinds – just like what I used in this recipe, ground pork rinds are a unique but effective substitute for flour in fried recipes.
- Homemade Breadcrumbs – if you have keto-friendly breadcrumbs made at home, it is better to use them.
Can I Make This Fried Chicken Pops In The Air Fryer?
Making them in the air fryer is also a healthy option with less oil. If you plan on doing an air fry for this popcorn chicken, you can still follow this recipe and all the steps except for the frying part.
Instead of heating oil in a pan, you’ll need to preheat your air fryer to around 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes. Then, arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they have spaces between each other. Cook the chicken in batches depending on how large the air fryer you are using.
Is An Oil Spray Needed For This Recipe?
You will not need an oil spray for this recipe since this method involves deep frying. I am using enough oil to fry them. On the other hand, it is needed if you are making your Taiwanese popcorn chicken in the air fryer since the method does not require oil, and you will have to add a little for a crispy texture.
If you want your leftover popcorn chicken to be fresh for long, store it in an airtight container large enough to hold the chicken without overcrowding it. Place the container in the refrigerator, but ensure it is cooled down.
More Low-Carb Chicken Recipes
If you liked this chicken recipe, I am sure you will love these low-carb chicken recipes, perfect for dinners or your kitchen pantry.
Try our chicken powder recipe from dehydrated chicken, which I made to balance seasoning in my recipes. One of my favorite chicken recipes is this chicken curry recipe I also enjoyed making.
You can make our chicken enchiladas and chicken bacon ranch casserole for parties and big celebrations. I am sure your guests will love them as they have loved when I made them.
We also have minced chicken to be used in lots of chicken dishes you can make.
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Low Carb Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Strainer
Ingredients
- 2 Pieces Chicken Breasts
- 2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Ground Ginger
- 1 Tablespoon Granulated Garlic
- 1 Tablespoon Onion Powder
- 1 Tablespoon White Wine
- 1 Egg White
- 1/2 teaspoon 5 Spice Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Sweetener
Coating:
- 1/2 Cup Breadcrumbs
- 1/2 Cup Ground Pork Rinds
- 1/2 Cup Ground Almond Flour
- 2 Tablespoons Baking Powder
- 1 Cup Fresh Basil
Video
Instructions
- First, prepare your chicken by washing and chopping it into small pieces for a perfect popcorn chicken size, but keep it manageable. Prepare the seasonings in a small storage container with the right measurements. This will make it easier for you to prepare the whole recipe. Do the same for the liquid ingredients like soy sauce, white wine, and egg whites. Also, prepare the ingredients for coating the chicken and just set them aside. You can prepare them for later when the chicken is marinating.
- In a bowl, add all the seasonings to marinate the chicken. Add the soy sauce first, followed by all the dry seasonings. Add the egg whites and white wine last, then mix well with a whisk until all the ingredients are fully combined.
- After making the seasoning mixture, pour into the chicken pieces and mix using a rubber spatula until they are evenly coated. Seasoning the chicken is essential as the taste of the final dish should be infused with each chicken piece. Cover with a plastic or cling wrap and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight for maximum flavor.
- While the chicken is marinating, prepare the coating by adding the breadcrumbs, ground pork rinds, almond meal, and baking powder to a separate mixing bowl. Whisk them all together until fully combined. Once the marinated chicken pieces are ready, toss them into the mixture and coat them evenly. I use a tweezer to coat each chicken and set it aside before frying. You can also coat them with your bare hands. Set aside the coated chicken and prepare your frying pan with enough oil, which must be deep-fried.
- After heating the olive oil to 350°F (175°C), fry the chicken one by one until they turn golden brown and crispy. Do it for about 3-4 minutes per batch. Make sure to make some space for them to be fried evenly. While frying, gently add the basil leaves and fry them with the chicken.
- Drain the excess olive oil using a strainer once the chicken pops are cooked and super crispy. Remember to include the fried basil leaves when you take out the chicken popcorn. You will serve them together. Place them in a bowl, and they are ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Sweetener – instead of sugar or sweeteners, use a sugar-free alternative like erythritol or homemade stevia power.
- Breading – using a combination of almond meal, ground pork rinds, and a little baking powder will add crispiness without the carbs from breadcrumbs, corn starch, and tapioca flour in a traditional Taiwanese popcorn chicken.
- Oil for frying – choose a healthy oil for frying your popcorn chicken, like avocado or olive oil.
- Prepare ahead – if you plan on having a party or gathering for the next days or weeks, you can prepare by marinating the chopped chicken and coating and frying it on the day you need it.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
If you are still looking for some Low Carb products, visit our recommended site on Amazon, which we participate in as affiliates. Just click on the image below and all will be revealed.
Extra Chicken recipes
For everyone who lovees chicken, I have got quite oa few choices for you. I am sure you will pick one or two extra for this weeks dinner.
