Popcorn Chicken Recipe

Enjoy popcorn and chicken in a whole new way with crunchy, juicy, and delicious Popcorn Chicken!

You will love how small and bite-sized the Popcorn Chicken is. It has the perfect golden brown crispiness on the outside and all the flavor you could ask for when you bite into it inside.

Once you taste it, you’ll realize why it’s one of the best chicken recipes for deep frying. In fact, it can be your go-to dish for celebrations or snacks because of how simple it is to cook anytime you want.

Whether you serve it as a main dish, appetizer, or snack, Popcorn Chicken will certainly give everyone an awesome experience. You won’t believe how comforting and satisfying it is to enjoy!

How to Make Popcorn Chicken

Cooking Popcorn Chicken is just like cooking Fried Chicken but with smaller pieces. All you have to do is coat the chicken in breading mix and deep fry until it’s crunchy, flaky, and fully cooked inside.

You will surely have every reason to love Popcorn Chicken!

Ingredients

What ingredients do you need to cook the best Popcorn Chicken?

Chicken

I truly get excited when I cook with chicken.

Chicken is one of the most versatile meat options you can cook because it’s great for so many dishes. It’s easy to season, marinade, and cook in any way that you want. The chicken’s natural flavor is also great for everyday cooking.

With the right herbs, spices, and breading mix, you can transform chicken into a fantastic dish. The chicken also becomes tender inside yet flaky on the outside! How do you like to cook your chicken?

Flour

It won’t be the best breading mix without flour.

The flour helps give the chicken its crunchy and crusty texture. It seals in the moisture of the chicken to make it soft, juicy, and tender when you bite into the chicken. You can count on flour to bind the coating well.

Aside from the classic plain flour, you can also use other kinds of flour. Sometimes, I use all-purpose flour, self-rising flour, whole wheat flour, or even cornflour for the same effect.

Egg

When you need to coat the chicken, you will also need an egg.

The egg is an important binding ingredient that keeps everything intact as you deep fry. Egg also has protein that can make the texture better. Even the water from the egg adds moisture to the chicken.

Moreover, the egg adds a kick of flavor to the dish, especially when you pair it with seasoning. There are plenty of other egg substitutes that you can use when you want to cook your Popcorn Chicken.

Seasoning

It won’t be Popcorn Chicken without seasoning.

When it comes to herbs and spices, you can use any seasoning that you like. I suggest using mixed herbs, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and other seasonings to give the chicken the best flavor.

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

Let’s start poppin’ with Popcorn Chicken!

1. Slice the chicken into your preferred sizes using a knife.
2. Season it with garlic powder, mixed herbs, curry powder, paprika, turmeric, oregano, ginger powder, chicken knorr cube, or all-purpose seasoning, sea salt, and cayenne pepper. 
3. Cover it with a lid and set aside for at least 15 minutes. 
4. Add the whisked egg to the chicken marinade.
5. Coat the chicken in the egg. 
6. 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.
7. Using tongs, gradually transfer the chicken into the breading mix to dredge.
8. Then, place the coated chicken on a plate to set. 
9. Add oil to a pot and heat over medium heat.
10. Gently lower the coated chicken into the hot oil to deep fry.
11. Turn the chicken over at regular intervals. 
12. Let it fry for ten minutes or until golden brown.
13. 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

Chicken

Buying chicken

• Chicken flesh should be pink without discoloration or tears on the skin.
• It should also feel plump yet firm.
• Moreover, there should be no foul odor.
• Avoid packaged chicken with liquid buildup inside. 

Storing chicken

• Chicken should be the first ones you store upon arriving home.
• It can be refrigerated to last up to two days.
• You can also keep it in its original packaging or a resealable bag. 

Popcorn Chicken Variations

How else can you make Popcorn Chicken the best meal yet?

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, add 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.

There are also other ways to cook Popcorn Chicken:

Air Fryer

1. Always remember to preheat the air fryer to 200°C.
2. Cook the chicken in batches to prevent clumping and uneven cooking.
3. Then, let it air fry for ten minutes.
4. Flip them at the five-minute mark or until they are golden brown. 

Oven

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Arrange the chicken pops on a baking tray.
3. Then, bake it for about 20 minutes.
4. Flip them in the 10th minute.

Do this in batches if you plan on making plenty of popcorn chicken. 

More Chicken Recipes

• Chicken Bites – here’s another bite-sized chicken snack to try.
• Curry Chicken Pasta – after you cook chicken in curry, add it to the pasta.
• Crispy Fried Chicken – it’s a classic fried chicken recipe that everyone loves.
• Crispy Chicken Wings – soar with satisfaction from chicken wings.
• Chicken Pizza – chicken is a great topping for pizza at home.
• Chicken Fried Bulgur – bulgur and chicken have never tasted better together.
• Chicken Gizzard Stew – enjoy other chicken parts, like gizzards, in a stew.
• Fried Chicken Gizzards – fry gizzards to make them chewy and tasty.
• Chicken Pie – get a crispy crust and savory filling in one pie.
• Roast Chicken – cook your chicken to perfection in the oven to roast.
• Air Fryer Chicken – enjoy your oil-free chicken in no time.

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

You can enjoy Popcorn Chicken in so many ways!

It makes a great appetizer for dining any time of the day. You can serve it with different sauces and dips like ketchup, barbecue, cheese, hollandaise, spicy, marinara, gravy, and more! 

Popcorn Chicken can also make a flavorful filling for tacos, nachos, burritos, and wraps. It’s a tasteful topping for salads, sliders, and vegetable bowls, too. You can trust that it will also taste well in sandwiches.

I suggest using the chicken to mix into your pasta for something crunchy to eat. It goes with lots of waffle flavors, especially those with savory and smoky flavors. Try these side dishes to go with the Popcorn Chicken:

• Plantain Fries – chicken and fries are always a wonderful combination.
• Tortilla Wrap – add the chicken as a filling for your tortilla wrap.
• Chicken Pizza – top your pizza with Popcorn Chicken.
• Soft Bread – make a sandwich without soft bread and chicken bites.
• Spaghetti in Chicken Breast Sauce – toss the chicken into your spaghetti.

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: Popcorn Chicken is best consumed within two hours of cooking. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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. 

Is popcorn chicken healthy for you?

Like other fried food, popcorn chicken is not the best option for everyday dining. It is high in fat and calories. But as long as you serve it in moderation, it can give you a pleasant experience. Just pair it with healthy recipes for a balanced meal.

Is KFC popcorn chicken breast?

Yes, KFC uses chicken breast for a boneless chicken part that’s easy to season and quick to deep fry until crispy and crunchy. You can also use other chicken parts to cook Popcorn Chicken.

Can you buy KFC popcorn chicken?

You can buy KFC Popcorn Chicken but from now on, you can make it right at home. I’m sure you will still get the crunchy, crispy, and savory quality of the chicken that you’re looking for.