Posted Mar 12, 2021, 07:52AM EST
MC Hammer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
Recipe by: Trevor Lui
Instagram: @trevorlui
Prep: 5 Minutes, plus 8 hour marinating time
Cook: 5 – 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tsp mirin
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup potato starch
- 3 cups canola oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 8 Thai basil leaves
- Chilli sauce or plum sauce to serve
Customers always asked about the name of this dish. When I was growing up in the eighties and nineties, MC Hammer was a popular music artist and, at one point, a brand celebrity for a fried chicken company. I recalled his Hammertimne dance promoting popcorn chicken, and hence the name MC Hammer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken. the dish, derived from Japanese Karaage and makes for a great party snack or side dish.
In a medium mixing bowl, combine garlic, mirin, sesame oil, soy sauce (or tamari), and sugar. Add chicken to the marinade, stirring to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
Put potato starch in a medium bowl. Add chicken and stir well to ensure all pieces are thoroughly covered.
Heat oil in a medium saucepan over high heat. Using a metal slotted spoon, slowly lower chicken into the oil and deep-fry for 5-6 minutes until golden, crispy brown and internal temperature is 180ºf. Transfer chicken to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain.
In a large bowl, combine chicken, salt and pepper.
using a metal slotted spoon, lower basil leaves into the hot oil and deep-fry for 6-8 seconds. Transfer leaves to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain.
Garnish popcorn chicken with the basil leaves and serve immediately with chilli or plum sauce.
