Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken | Salt and Pepper Chicken | 酥脆盐酥鸡

Crispy, juicy, and fragrant Taiwanese-inspired Popcorn Chicken seasoned with a homemade salt and pepper spice blend that comes with a kick of spice. Double-fried for extra crispiness.
Ingredients:

1. 1 lb chicken drumsticks
2. 2 tsp soy sauce
3. 1/2 tsp salt
4. 1/2 tsp white pepper
5. 3 cloves garlic, minced
6. 1/3 cup flour
7. 1/2 tsp baking powder
8. 1/2 tsp five spice powder
9. 1/2 tsp white pepper
10. 2/3 cup water (approx.)
11. 2 cup cornstarch or sweet potato starch
12. 2 cloves garlic (minced)
13. 1 scallion, chopped

Salt and Pepper Spice Blend (Enough for 3 uses). Leftovers can be stored in a ziplock bag or jar once it has cooled down.

1. 2 tsp salt
2. 2 tsp black pepper
3. 2 tsp Sichuan peppercorn (OPTIONAL for spiciness)
4. 2 tsp red pepper flakes (OPTIONAL for spiciness)
5. 2 star anise (OPTIONAL for extra flavor/fragrance)

Directions:

Combine chicken, soy sauce, salt, white pepper, and garlic together in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, five spice, white pepper, and water.
Add the flour mixture into the chicken mixture, and then let marinate for 10-20min.
Combine salt, black pepper, and optional ingredients.
Heat wok/pan and stir fry the salt mixture until fragrant.
Remove salt mixture from wok.
Blend salt mixture in a blender until finely powdered. Set aside.
Put all of the cornstarch or sweet potato starch into a bowl/plate.
Coat each chicken in the cornstarch and set aside until all of the chicken are coated.
Heat frying oil in a deeper pot/pan.
Place chicken in individually, and swirl them around occasionally.
Fry until lightly golden brown, and set aside.
Let all of the chicken cool for 5-7 min.
Allow the oil to heat up again.
Fry the chicken a second time until golden brown and crispy. Set aside.
In a wok, heat up 1 tsp oil, add garlic and scallions. Stir fry until fragrant.
Add in the fried chicken and 1 tbsp of the salt and spice blend.
Garnish with basil or cilantro.