Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken!

I've grown up eating amazing Taiwanese popcorn chicken. Popcorn chicken is the perfect pick-me-up afternoon snack and can also serve as part of a meal. You can find it at pretty much any in night markets in Taiwan and in boba shops all across America. But if you want to try making popcorn chicken yourself, I've got just the recipe for you - it's easy and scrumptious!

Ingredients:
Marinade:

• 1 1/2 lbs of boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite size pieces
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1/2 tbsp mirin
  
• 1 tsp ginger
• 1 tsp garlic
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp five spice powder
• 1/2 tsp white pepper powder
  
• 1/8 tsp black pepper powder (can sub in regular black pepper)

Dredge:

• 1/3 cup potato starch flour + 3 tbsp cornstarch (can sub for just cornstarch)
• 1 egg + 1 tbsp water

Extras:

• Thai basil, do not wash it/get it wet!
• oil for frying
• 5 spice powder

Directions:

1. Create the marinade for the chicken inside a ziploc bag/sealable container. Place the raw chicken in with the marinade. Place in fridge and let it marinade for at least 30 minutes. I like to marinade it overnight for extra flavor!
2. Take the chicken out of the fridge when ready to start prepping. Set it aside.
3. Fill a medium sized pot halfway with oil and heat it with medium heat.
4. Mix two bowls of dredge, one with the dry flours and one with the egg and water. 
5. Dip each piece of chicken into the wet bowl first and then coat it with flour. Repeat for all pieces of chicken.
6. Check to see if the oil is hot enough by placing a little piece of chicken or clump of flour into the oil. If it bubbles, then the oil is hot enough.
7. ​Fry chicken for 2-3 minutes or until coating is lightly golden. Fry only a couple pieces at a time, do not crowd the pot. Scoop out chicken when done and set on cooling rack.
8. Pat the Thai basil to make sure it is very dry. Put the basil into the oil to fry for 1/2 to 1 minute until it is crunchy. **Be very careful when frying basil - it will spray hot oil when you put the basil into the oil**
9. Sprinkle some extra 5 spice powder over the finished chicken and basil.
   
10. Enjoy!!