Taiwanese Fried Chicken

Crispy, golden, and bursting with bold flavors, Taiwanese Fried Chicken is a must-try delight for fried chicken enthusiasts. This iconic street food features tender, bite-sized chicken thighs marinated in a savory blend of soy sauce, rice wine, garlic, and fragrant five-spice powder, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor. Coated in a unique combination of cornstarch and sweet potato starch for that signature crunch, these juicy morsels are deep-fried to perfection and topped with crispy fried basil leaves for an authentic touch. Perfectly balanced with a hint of white pepper and a subtle sweetness, this quick-to-prepare dish is an irresistible snack or appetizer. Whether you’re recreating a taste of Taiwanese night markets at home or looking for a standout fried chicken recipe, Taiwanese Fried Chicken is sure to impress!

Nutriscore Rating: 51/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams boneless chicken thighs
• 100 grams cornstarch
• 100 grams sweet potato starch
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice wine
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon five-spice powder
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 large eggs
• 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 liter vegetable oil, for frying
• 10 leaves fresh basil leaves

Directions

Step 1

Cut the boneless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and set aside.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, rice wine, minced garlic, five-spice powder, white pepper, salt, and sugar. Mix well to prepare the marinade.

Step 3

Add the chicken pieces into the marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Cover the bowl and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for best results.

Step 4

In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch, sweet potato starch, and baking powder together.

Step 5

Beat the egg and add it to the marinated chicken. Mix well, ensuring each piece is coated with the egg mixture.

Step 6

Prepare a deep frying pan or wok and heat vegetable oil to 180°C (350°F).

Step 7

Dip each piece of marinated chicken in the starch mixture, ensuring an even coating, and gently shake off excess starch.

Step 8

Fry the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, for about 4-5 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy.

Step 9

Remove the chicken from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.

Step 10

In the same hot oil, briefly fry the fresh basil leaves for about 10-15 seconds until crispy. Remove and drain.

Step 11

Serve the Taiwanese fried chicken sprinkled with the crispy basil leaves on top for an authentic flavor burst.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1771.4 grams (1771.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	9812

Total Fat 965.40g	1238%
Saturated Fat 142.30g	712%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.10g
Cholesterol 619mg	206%
Sodium 3606mg	157%
Total Carbohydrate 195.60g	71%
Dietary Fiber 4.00g	14%
Total Sugars 6.30g
Protein 112.70g	225%

Vitamin D 41IU	205%
Calcium 187mg	14%
Iron 10mg	55%
Potassium 1375mg	29%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 87.6%

Protein: 4.5%

Carbs: 7.9%