Popcorn Chicken Recipe (KFC-Style Inspired!) or Chicken Popcorn consists of small, bite-sized pieces of breaded and deep-fried chicken. If you can’t go to KFC, bring KFC into your home by making the best Popcorn Chicken! Transform chicken into a true delicacy to serve at any celebration.
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It will surely be one of the best main dishes you will serve your family. Let’s deep fry this dish to crispy, crunchy, and delicious perfection!
How to Make Popcorn Chicken
Making this fun dish is easier than it sounds. In fact, it can be an enjoyable dining experience for kids and adults!
Ingredients
Chicken
Chicken‘s mild flavor easily improves with the right herbs and spices. Once cooked, it becomes chewy and juicy, the qualities we’re always looking for!
If you love chicken, then this is definitely the one to beat. The chicken is tender on the inside yet flaky on the outside! For more chicken recipes, try Roast Chicken, Crispy Chicken Wings, and Chicken Pizza too.
Flour
Flour is used for the crusty exterior of chicken popcorn. The best thing about this is it’s highly customizable to your liking. It also removes excess moisture from the egg-washed chicken.
I also use this for Pan Fried Fish Fillet, Egg Rolls, and Chicken Pie for the perfect crispiness!
Egg
Eggs can help with the coating inside and outside of the popcorn chicken. These can also enhance the crust of the dish. It also helps secure the seasoning on the chicken.
Seasoning
When it comes to herbs and spices, this recipe can be altered to your liking. I suggest using mixed herbs, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and other seasonings.
Vegetable oil
Use this oil or any oil of your choice – sunflower, peanut, avocado, or canola oil – to deep fry the popcorn chicken because it has a high smoke point. It helps preserve the flavors and nutrients of the chicken and breading.
With this recipe, the power over the popcorn chicken is in your hands! From texture to taste, this truly is the comfort food recipe you’ve been waiting for!
Directions
- Slice or dice the chicken into your preferred sizes using a knife.
- Season it in a bowl with garlic powder, mixed herbs, curry powder, paprika, turmeric, oregano, ginger powder, chicken knorr cube, or all-purpose seasoning, sea salt, and cayenne pepper.
- Cover it with a lid and set aside for at least 15 minutes.
- Add the whisked egg to the chicken marinade.
- Drench the chicken in the egg.
- Put plain flour into a bowl and season it with garlic powder, curry powder, oregano, turmeric, paprika, white pepper, cayenne pepper, mixed herbs, and sea salt.
- Using tongs, gradually transfer the chicken into the breading mix to dredge.
- Then, place the coated chicken on a plate to set.
- Add oil to a pot and heat over medium heat.
- Gently lower the coated chicken into the hot oil to deep fry.
- Turn the chicken over at regular intervals.
- Let it fry for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Finally, use a skimmer spoon to transfer it to a lined plate to remove excess oil.
Wasn’t that easy, delicious, and satisfying? It truly brings the POP in popcorn chicken!
Tips
How to Select and Store Chicken
Selection. Chicken flesh should be pink without discoloration or tears on the skin. It should feel plump yet firm.
Moreover, there should be no foul odor. Avoid packaged chicken with liquid buildup inside.
Storage. Chicken should be the first ones you store upon arriving home. It can be refrigerated to last up to two days. You can keep it in its original packaging or in a resealable bag.
Alternative Ways to Cook Popcorn Chicken
Air Fryer
- Always remember to preheat the air fryer to 200°C.
- Cook the chicken in batches to prevent clumping and uneven cooking.
- Let it air fry for 10 minutes.
- Flip them at the 5-minute mark or until they are golden brown.
Oven
- Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- Arrange the chicken pops on a baking tray.
- Then, bake it for about 20 minutes.
- Flip them in the 10th minute.
Do this in batches if you plan on making plenty of popcorn chicken.
Popcorn Chicken Variations
Aside from using chicken fillet, this recipe makes turkey pops or even beef pops. For the seasoning, you can use herbs and spices you prefer. Additionally, incorporate buttermilk and hot sauce for added flavor.
In fact, you can also dredge it in eggs and flour twice to make it extra crunchy and crispy! As long as you stay creative with the seasoning, you’ll be able to make a Popcorn Chicken recipe of your own!
Recommended Tools
- Pot: Deep fry the popcorn chicken in a pot.
- Tongs: Dredge the seasoned chicken in flour with tongs.
- Skimmer spoon: Toss the ingredients in the oil using a slotted turner.
- Knife: Prepare the poultry with a knife.
- Cutting board: Slice the raw meat on a chopping board.
- Glass bowl: Marinate the contents in a glass bowl.
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How to Serve Popcorn Chicken
Popcorn chicken is best served in the morning and during lunch to give you energy. You can have it with sauces such as ketchup, barbecue, cheese, hollandaise, spicy, marinara, gravy, and more!
This dish also pairs well with the following recipes:
- Coleslaw
- Sweet Corn on the Cob
- Chicken Fried Bulgur
- Spaghetti Bolognese
- Breakfast Wrap
- Fried Rice
- Mashed Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes Mash
- Potatoe Salad
Meanwhile, the following drinks are great refreshments for this dish:
Storage Tips
- At room temperature: Popcorn Chicken is best consumed within 2 hours of cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Popcorn Chicken?
They’re primarily called Popcorn Chicken because of their bite-sized portions with airy and fluffy coating. You can also chop the chicken into bite-size pieces to eat it like popcorn!
What is Popcorn Chicken made of?
This simple recipe needs sliced chicken breast, flour, egg, oil, and your favorite herbs and spices! You can also get creative with the sauces you plan to serve with it.
How long do you dry it?
Fry for at least 10 minutes with occasional stirring or continue deep-frying until they turn golden brown.
Is Popcorn Chicken healthy?
For daily consumption, this might not be the best option. However, you can serve this once every week as comfort food or as a dish for picnics and lunches with family and friends!
Best Popcorn Chicken (VIDEO)
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 3 chicken breast fillets
- 1 pinch garlic powder
- 1 pinch mixed herbs
- 1 pinch curry powder
- 1 pinch paprika
- 1 pinch turmeric
- 1 pinch oregano
- 1 pinch ginger powder
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp all-purpose seasoning (or 1 cube of Knorr Chicken)
For coating
- 1 cup plain flour
- ½ tsp curry powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch oregano
- 1 pinch garlic powder
- 1 pinch turmeric
- 1 pinch white pepper
- 1 pinch paprika
- 1 pinch mixed herbs
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 1 egg (medium-sized)
For frying
- Marinated and breaded chicken
- Vegetable oil (enough for deep frying)
Instructions
Marinate the chicken.
- Slice or dice the chicken into your preferred sizes.
- Season it with garlic powder, mixed herbs, curry powder, paprika, turmeric, oregano, ginger powder, chicken knorr cube, sea salt, and cayenne pepper.
- Cover it with a lid and set aside for at least 15 minutes.
Add the egg.
- Whisk an egg into a glass bowl.
- Then, incorporate it into the chicken marinade. Drench the chicken in the egg.
Make the breading mix.
- Put plain flour into a bowl and season it with garlic powder, curry powder, oregano, turmeric, paprika, white pepper, cayenne pepper, mixed herbs, and sea salt.
Dredge the chicken.
- Using tongs, gradually transfer the chicken into the breading mix to dredge.
- Then, place the coated chicken into a plate to set.
Deep fry.
- Add vegetable oil to a pot and allow it to heat over medium fire.
- Gently lower the coated chicken into the oil to deep fry. Turn the chicken over at regular intervals.
- Let it fry for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
- Transfer to a lined plate to remove excess oil.
Video
Notes
- Aside from deep frying the chicken, you can also bake or air fry.
- Use any flavoring you want to customize the breading.
- Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes to seal the flavors.
- Occasionally, stir it in the oil to cook evenly.
Nutrition
