Asian Crispy Fried Chicken (Popcorn Chicken)

The Best Asian Popcorn Chicken

Martin Yan’s China is his most recent cookbook and this crispy popcorn chicken is an adaptation of his recipe.

When Chef Yan was traveling in Guangzhou, he chanced upon a street vendor selling crispy chicken nuggets flavored with Chinese five spice powder—an aromatic yet deeply-flavorful Chinese ingredient. For this specific street-style crispy fried chicken recipe, it calls for five spice powder, a common ingredient in Chinese cooking.

The Chinese five spice powder lends a nice aroma to the fried chicken. I just love it. Chinese five spice powder can be found at Asian stores or online.

This ingredient also makes a great marinate for many other Chinese dishes. Try it and I am sure you will be delighted with this recipe.

Ingredients for Popcorn Chicken

• Chicken breast/thigh
• Eggss
• Oil
• Chinese five spice powder
• Sugar
• Sesame oil
• Ground white pepper

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is It Called Popcorn Chicken?

The chicken owes its name to being tiny and bite-sized.

How Many Calories?

This recipe has 197 calories per serving.

What Dishes to Serve with This Recipe?

This meal is best served as a snack. For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

Asian Brined Pork Chops

Chicken Chow Mein

Beef and Broccoli

Garlic Bok Choy

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Asian Crispy Fried Chicken (Popcorn Chicken)

Servings 4 people

Prep Time 2 hours

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes

Asian Crispy Fried Chicken - this delicious Chinese crispy fried popcorn chicken is made super easy by this recipe from Martin Yan.

Calories 197 kcal

Author Bee | Rasa Malaysia

Ingredients

• 1 lb. boneless and skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs cut into bite-size cubes
• 1 cup corn starch
• 1 egg beaten
• oil for deep-frying

Marinade:

• 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 3 dashes ground white pepper

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Directions

1. 1
   Add the five spice powder, sugar, salt, and white pepper. Stir well.
2. 2
   Add the chicken pieces and marinate in the fridge for 1 - 4 hours.
3. 3
   Heat up the oil into a wok for deep-frying. Dip the chicken nuggets in the beaten egg and then coat with the corn starch evenly. Deep-fry the chicken until they turn golden brown, remove from the oil and place on paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
4. 4
   Serve immediately and dip with your favorite chili sauce.

Recipe Notes

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Nutrition Facts

Asian Crispy Fried Chicken (Popcorn Chicken)

Amount Per Serving (4 people)

Calories 197 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Cholesterol 113mg38%

Sodium 327mg14%

Carbohydrates 8g3%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 26g52%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Chinese Recipes

Cuisine: Chicken

Keyword: Popcorn Chicken