Air Fryer Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken Recipe

0 Cut the chicken thighs into 1-inch thick pieces. 
1 Transfer the chicken to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add grated garlic, soy sauce, Shaoxing cooking wine, orange juice, salt, sugar, Chinese five-spice powder, and white pepper. Mix well and marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
2 For the Sichuan white peppercorn seasoning, heat a small pan over medium-low heat. Then, add Sichuan peppercorns and white peppercorns (if using whole). Toast for 2 to 3 minutes, making sure to constantly stir to prevent the spices from burning. Remove from the heat then grind into a powder using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Transfer to a bowl then add salt and sugar. Mix then set aside for later.
3 Preheat the air fryer to 400F (205C). 
4 Crack an egg and separate the white from the yolk. Add the egg white to the marinated chicken and mix until combined. 
5 To a small mixing bowl, add sweet potato starch. Coat each piece of chicken well on all sides. Optional, but highly recommended - sprinkle a few droplets of water into the sweet potato starch to create small beads. This will create crispy crunchy bits on the chicken.
6 Arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket, making sure they have ample space on all sides. Make sure they do not touch!
7 Spray both sides of the chicken with cooking oil spray then air fry for 5 minutes. 
8 Flip the chicken then spray with cooking oil spray. Air fry for another 5 minutes. 
9 Toss the Thai basil leaves into the air fryer with the chicken, and spray with cooking oil spray. Air fry for 5 more minutes or until brown and crispy. 
10 Sprinkle the Sichuan white pepper seasoning on top of the chicken. Serve and enjoy!