Hoisin Popcorn Chicken Bites

Serves 6

Time 30 minutes plus marination time

Ingredients

6 chicken thighs, each cut into 6 equal pieces

1 cup hoisin sauce

1 tsp sesame oil

2 cup corn flour

2 tbsp garlic powder

2 tsp salt

2 tsp white pepper

2 tbsp Chinese five spice

4 cups Canola or vegetable oil to shallow fry

For the Dipping Sauce

½ cup hoisin sauce

½ cup kewpie mayo

2 tbsp chilli oil

½ tsp sesame oil

Method

Place chicken thigh pieces into a glass bowl. Add hoisin sauce and sesame oil and mix to combine. Cover and refrigerate to marinate for at least 30 minutes. This could be done the day before.

In a separate large bowl, add the cornflour, garlic powder, salt, white pepper and Chinese five spice. Whisk to combine.

Heat oil in a heavy-based pan or saucepan over medium heat. Depending on the size of the pot or pan, you only want the oil about 2-3 cm deep.

In batches, dredge the chicken pieces into the flour mixture and coat well. Do a few pieces at a time. Working in batches, fry the floured chicken in the hot oil for 3-5 minutes, or until golden and crispy. Remove popcorn chicken with a slotted spoon or sieve onto a wire rack with an oven tray underneath to catch the fat. Season with salt.

For the dipping sauce, mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

Serve the popcorn chicken with a side of dipping sauce.