Snack

XXL Taiwanese Fried Chicken

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If you’ve ever strolled through a bustling night market in Taipei, there’s a good chance the scent of crispy, golden chicken stopped you in your tracks. That mouthwatering aroma? It was probably XXL Taiwanese Fried Chicken—a street food legend that’s exactly what it sounds like: chicken so big it barely fits in the bag, and so crunchy you can hear it from three stalls away. Now, we’re bringing that epic crunch and juicy flavor straight to your kitchen, no passport required.

XXL Taiwanese Fried Chicken isn’t your average fried cutlet. It’s a glorious oversized slab of tender chicken breast, marinated in a garlicky, umami-packed blend of soy sauce, five spice, and Shaoxing wine. The real magic, though, is in the coating: a layer of sweet potato starch that creates that unmistakably crisp, slightly bubbly crust. It’s light but audibly crunchy, giving your ears just as much joy as your taste buds.

But it doesn’t stop there. Right after frying, this monster cutlet gets dusted with a generous sprinkle of special seasoning powder—usually a mix of salt, white pepper, a hint of sugar, and sometimes even chili or plum powder if you’re feeling adventurous. It’s salty, savory, and just the right touch of sweet and heat. One bite and you’ll understand why this snack has a cult following across Asia (and now, TikTok).

The best part? Making it at home is way easier than you’d think. No deep fryer required, just a sturdy pan, a bit of oil, and a good appetite. Whether you’re trying to recreate your favorite travel memory or just craving something bigger, bolder, and crispier than your usual takeout, this recipe has your name written all over it.

So roll up your sleeves and get ready to fry. This is comfort food at its most dramatic, and trust us—once you conquer your first XXL Taiwanese Fried Chicken, you’ll be tempted to supersize everything else in your life.

XXL Taiwanese Fried Chicken

Recipe by Julia Vuong
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: SnackCuisine: Taiwanese
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

25

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Total time

35

minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 2 large boneless chicken breasts

  • 1 tbsp 1 soy sauce

  • 1 tbsp 1 shaoxing wine

  • 1 tsp 1 garlic powder

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 five spice powder

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 white pepper

  • 2 2 eggs

  • 1/4 cup 1/4 cornstarch

  • 2 tbsp 2 milk (to thin out the batter if needed)

  • Coating
  • 1 cup 1 coarse sweet potato starch

  • Seasoning After Fry
  • 1 tsp 1 garlic salt

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 five spice powder

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 chili powder

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 white pepper

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 sugar

  • 1/2 tsp 1/2 garlic powder

  • Extras
  • basil

  • frying oil (any neutral oil like vegetable, canola, etc.)

Directions

  • Butterfly and pound the chicken breasts until they’re about the size of your face (yes, XXL-style!). Use a meat mallet or the back of a knife to tenderize.
  • In a bowl, add the chicken and mix soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, garlic powder, five-spice powder, and white pepper. Let it marinate for 15 minutes in the fridge.
  • In another bowl, mix eggs and cornstarch. Add milk if the batter is too thick. Coat the marinated chicken into the batter. On a separate plate, add the coarse sweet potato starch and coat the chicken.
  • Heat up oil to 375F degrees in a pan or wok big enough to fry the chicken, quickly fry the basil and remove. Fry the chicken 3-4 minutes per side. Remove, let it rest for 3-4 minutes, and deep fry again at a high temperature to lock in the crisp.
  • Season immediately with a mixture of the garlic salt, five spice powder, garlic powder, white pepper, chili powder, sugar.
  • Enjoy!

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