My recipe for Taiwanese Popcorn Hen is tasty and lightweight, and is healthier for you as a result of it’s pan-fried as a substitute of deep-fried. This recipe is nut-free and in contrast to many fried hen recipes, it’s additionally egg-free. Learn to be taught extra about meals allergy symptoms and consuming deep fried meals at a restaurant.
Disclaimer: Please verify that every one components are appropriate in your allergy symptoms and make sure you ask your medical care workforce relating to any allergy associated questions (I don’t share medical recommendation). As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What’s Taiwanese Popcorn Hen?
Taiwanese popcorn hen is bite-sized salty, crispy fried hen that’s served as a road snack that’s in style at night time markets in Taiwan. Additionally it is often known as Yansuji (鹽酥雞) or Salted Crispy Hen.
My sons and I’ve by no means been to Taiwan however hubby launched us to those tasty morsels when he added popcorn hen as a snack along with our boba drink orders. We like to eat this salty, crispy hen coated with a lightweight dusting of Chinese language 5 spice seasoning.
Nevertheless, one order of Taiwanese popcorn hen for our household of 4 to share may be very little as a result of we every have 4-5 small bites of hen served with a candy and sticky chili sauce. However two orders of deep-fried snacks is simply too wealthy for us on the identical time and we choose to attenuate our well being dangers.
It seems that pan-frying with a small quantity of oil, which is a more healthy possibility, is a contented compromise. The pan-fried Taiwanese popcorn hen tastes crunchy when served freshly cooked and served sizzling. The hen does soften up a bit over time however the taste stays the identical.
Be Conscious of Meals Allergy Dangers When Ordering Deep Fried Meals
Since I’m motivated to keep away from the dangers and mess related to deep-frying at dwelling, I would contemplate ordering deep fried meals at a restaurant occaisionally. I’m additionally very cautious when ordering deep fried meals too as a result of that isn’t easy for individuals with meals allergy symptoms.
1) What sort of oil is used within the deep fryer and is it allergy protected?
Have you learnt what sort of oil does a restaurant use within the deep fryer? Cooks normally like to make use of peanut oil due to its excessive smoke level.
Extremely refined peanut oil is “typically thought to be protected” (GRAS) by the FDA. Some individuals might need tolerance for peanut oil. As I shared in an Allergic Dwelling interview, I choose to keep away from peanut oil for my household as a result of we don’t know if a restaurant makes use of extremely refined peanut oil or cold-pressed peanut oil. Please ask your physician when you’ve got any issues.
On the identical time, peanut oil is pricey. Eating places would possibly choose to make use of cheaper oils which have a excessive smoke factors resembling vegetable oil or cottonseed oil. As a home-cook, I’ve tried grapeseed oil, avocado oil, and olive oil which have excessive smoke factors however are too expensive to make use of in giant quantities vital for deep frying.
Since I used to be trying up smoke factors of assorted oils, I seen that almond oil and pecan oil have excessive smoke factors. I’ve by no means encountered any meals deep fried with almond or pecan oil. Have you ever?
2) What different meals go into the deep fryer?
One other threat to pay attention to is what different allergens go into the deep fryer? It’s essential to consider potential allergen cross-contact out of your different allergens that you just keep away from. Deep fryer oil won’t be modified incessantly.
- Are components marinated in soy, eggs, or milk earlier than breading?
- Does the restaurant serve deep fried fish or shellfish?
- Do they deep fry nuts for salads, desserts, toppings, or garnishes?
3) Pay attention to how deep fried meals are ready and potential allergy-substitutions.
Most recipes for deep fried meals are normally marinated in potential allergens resembling soy sauce or buttermilk. Then dipped flour, egg, and breadcrumbs earlier than frying.
Additionally if the menu options vegan, gluten-free, or dairy free choices, verify to see if these dishes use nut components as substitutes. There’s potential for allergen cross-contact within the kitchen and within the deep fryer. For instance, almond flour is a standard gluten-free substitute or vegan or dairy-free options use cashew milk.
How one can Put together Taiwanese Popcorn Hen
The standard manner is to marinate some hen thighs with an egg, soy sauce, and different seasonings for half-hour, as much as in a single day. Then coat the marinated hen items with coarse potato starch and permit time for the potato starch coating to set.
For this higher for you Taiwanese popcorn hen recipe, as a substitute of deep frying the hen, we are going to pan fry the hen in a small quantity of oil till golden brown. When the hen is prepared, add a handful of Thai basil leaves to the pan. Plate the popcorn hen in a serving bowl instantly, season with a 5 spice mix, and serve whereas nonetheless sizzling.
Use hen thighs for tender outcomes.
I like to recommend making this recipe with boneless, skinless hen thighs for tender, juicy, morsels of popcorn hen. Utilizing hen thighs makes it straightforward to make this recipe egg-free as a result of the hen shall be tender and juicy with none assist.
You need to use hen breast or hen tenderloin should you choose, however it’s straightforward to overcook hen breast. Some fried hen recipes would possibly marinate with egg whites to tenderize the hen utilizing a way referred to as velveting.
In actual fact, I attempt to make the marinade as dry as attainable to attenuate splatters. Use salt, 5-spice powder, floor garlic (as a substitute of recent minced garlic), and a minimal quantity of soy sauce and rice wine. The hen may be very flavorful.
Coat with cornstarch
Candy potato starch that has a rough granular texture (粗) is the most effective for making crunchy popcorn hen. It could be labeled “thick” and look slightly chunky, which provides extra texture to the popcorn hen. Nevertheless, I can not affirm that coarse candy potato starch doesn’t have any potential threat of allergen cross-contact. Let me know should you discover a model.
To be allergy protected, I take advantage of cornstarch as a substitute. The cornstarch coated popcorn hen has a pleasant crust when freshly cooked however would possibly soften because the hen cools. It’s going to nonetheless style scrumptious.
Thai basil leaves
Our native boba retailers serve the hen with out basil leaves. Popcorn hen is normally served with deep fried Thai basil, which undoubtedly seems to be stunning and tastes nice. Though I pat dry the Thai basil with paper towels and permit them to air fry for awhile, deep frying them in a pot of sizzling oil is messy, with oil splatters on my range, ground, and me. I liked the crispy Thai basil leaves however it’s not well worth the mess, additional clear up, and security dangers.
Including basil leaves to the pan fried popcorn hen recipe is a greater expertise. Push all of the hen to 1 facet of the pan and tip the pan for a second to permit oil to pool on the opposite facet. Add the basil leaves over the oil and use a spatula to scoop the pan-fried hen over the basil leaves till the basil is wilted and aromatic. The outcomes are so good, much less messy, and simply as tasty.
I normally purchase Thai basil from Asian markets however I can’t discover them constantly. Recent Italian basil is a handy substitute, which is what I used once I took images for this recipe. Be happy to make use of extra basil as desired, use chopped scallions should you don’t have basil, or omit.
Seasoning spices
Your final step after scooping the crispy popcorn hen and basil out of the pan is to sprinkle with 5 spice powder, which tastes surprisingly candy to me. I wish to hold the seasoning easy by flippantly sprinkling 5 spice powder.
In case your spice jar has a sprinkle prime lid, maintain the jar sideways over the hen and use one finger to flippantly faucet the jar for a few sprinkles whereas shifting the jar in a circle over the hen. In any other case, faucet the 5 spice powder from a 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon.
Allergy Conscious Taiwanese Popcorn Hen
This recipe for Taiwanese popcorn hen is freed from peanuts, treenuts, egg, milk, fish, shellfish, and sesame as written. The primary allergen is from the soy sauce (soy and wheat), which you’ll be able to substitute with tamari sauce (made with soy however gluten free), coconut aminos, or one in all my recipes for soy-free soy sauce.
For those who want further assist with discovering components, please see What’s in Nut Free Wok’s Cabinet? Nut-Free Elements. I like the impartial style of Chinese language rice wine, however in a pinch you need to use dry sherry.
Make this as a day snack that’s filling and more healthy and higher for you than deep fried hen. You may even serve it as a lightweight dinner entree together with facet dishes resembling rice and greens.
Taiwanese Popcorn Hen
My recipe for Taiwanese Popcorn Hen is tasty and lightweight, and is healthier for you as a result of it’s pan-fried as a substitute of deep-fried. This recipe is nut-free and in contrast to many fried hen recipes, it is also egg-free. This dish may be served as a hearty snack for 4-6 individuals or as a small entree for 2-3 individuals.
- 3 hen thighs boneless, skinless
- 1 teaspoon Chinese language rice wine
- 1 1/4 teaspoons Chinese language 5 spice powder divided
- 1 teaspoon garlic granulated powder
- 1/2 teaspoon white pepper floor
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cornstarch plus 1 tablespoon as wanted
- 1 ounce Thai basil or Italian basil, add extra as desired
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or different impartial oil
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Use scissors to trim away any extra fats from the hen thighs. Lower the hen thighs into bite-sized items (roughly 10 items per thigh), switch to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
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Add the Chinese language rice wine, 1 teaspoon 5 spice powder, garlic powder, floor white pepper, and salt to the hen and blend. Marinate for half-hour or cowl and refrigerate to marinate in a single day.
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Sprinkle about half of the cornstarch over the hen and blend. Add the remaining cornstarch to the blending bowl and dip any uncoated hen items into the cornstarch. Add a further tablespoon of cornstarch as wanted. Put aside for 5-10 minutes.
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Rinse the Thai basil leaves, shake the surplus water off, and pat dry the Thai basil leaves with paper towels. Pluck the leaves off the stem and put aside.
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Preheat a big non-stick frying pan on medium warmth for five minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of oil and swirl the oil across the pan, permit 30 seconds for the oil to warmth up.
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Place the cornstarch coated items of hen into the pan one after the other, don’t permit the items to the touch in any other case they are going to stick collectively and take longer to prepare dinner. Pan fry for 4-5 minutes till the cornstarch coating turns golden brown on one facet.
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Flip every bit to pan fry the opposite facet for 4-5 minutes till hen seems to be golden brown.
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Push the hen to 1 facet of the frying pan and tip the pan for a second in order that the oil swimming pools on the opposite facet. Add the Thai basil leaves into the oil and use a spatula to cowl the basil with hen. When the basil seems to be barely wilted, stir to toss the hen and basil collectively.
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Switch the hen and basil to a paper towel lined serving bowl. Sprinkle roughly 1/4 teaspoon of 5 spice powder on prime.
Vitamin details are calculated mechanically and are an approximation.
Energy: 287kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 14gFats: 21gSaturated Fats: 5gPolyunsaturated Fats: 4gMonounsaturated Fats: 11gTrans Fats: 0.1gLdl cholesterol: 83mgSodium: 357mgPotassium: 202mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 0.02gVitamin A: 70IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg
Associated Recipes
I like Chinese language snacks and appetizers resembling Chinese language Potstickers Recipe: Pork & Napa Cabbage. My recipe for Pan-Fried Pork and Shrimp Dumplings (Potstickers) can even educate you the best way to make the wrappers from scratch.
In case you have a pack of boneless, skinless thighs these recipes get dinner on the desk quick!
My weblog additionally options Lu Rao Fan, Braised Pork and Egg Rice Bowl, Straightforward Immediate Pot Recipe which is a Taiwanese recipe featured in my cookbook, Chinese language Immediate Pot Cookbook.
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