Popcorn Chicken Recipe: Crispy, Juicy, and Bite-Sized Perfection

Popcorn chicken is just too good to resist. You can eat tiny, crispy pieces of juicy chicken one after the other. These golden nuggets are always a hit, whether you eat them as a snack, an appetizer at a party, or a quick dinner.

Today, I’m going to show you how to make my favorite popcorn chicken recipe. It’s crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, and it’s easy to make at home. We’ll also talk about how to make that famous KFC popcorn chicken taste again, as well as some easy changes you can make to the recipe if you need a quick and easy popcorn chicken recipe that works with your schedule.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Popcorn Recipe

You’re in for a treat if you’ve only ever had popcorn chicken from a fast food place. You can control the seasoning, oil quality, and cooking method when you make chicken popcorn at home. It also tastes fresher.

This recipe works so well for these reasons:

• A crunchy coating that stays crunchy even after it cools.
• The chicken is juicy because it was marinated in yogurt or buttermilk.
• You can change the seasoning to make it mild or spicy.
• You can use it as a snack, a party platter, or even a sandwich filling.

Chicken lovers know one of the famous restaurants for its fried chicken products, that is Popeyes. Such food lovers can visit here to find fast food recipes (inspired by Popeyes), reviews of Popeyes items, latest and updated Popeyes menu with prices.

Ingredients for the Perfect Popcorn Chicken

The right ingredients for the best popcorn chicken

• 500g boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs (cut into bite-sized pieces)
  
• 1 cup buttermilk (or plain yogurt)
  
• 1 tsp salt
  
• ½ tsp black pepper
  
• 1 tsp paprika
  
• 1 tsp garlic powder
  
• 1 tsp onion powder
  
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
  
• ½ cup cornstarch
  
• 1 tsp baking powder
  
• Oil for deep frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
  

Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, dried thyme, and ground white pepper to your flour mix to make it taste like KFC popcorn chicken recipe.

Step-by-Step: Easy Popcorn Chicken Recipe

This easy popcorn chicken recipe is simple, even if you’ve never deep-fried anything before.

1. Marinate the chicken

Put the chicken pieces in a bowl with buttermilk, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well, cover, and put in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for the best flavor). This step makes the chicken more tender and adds flavor.

2. Prepare the coating

If you want, you can add extra spices to the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and other dry ingredients in a different bowl. The cornstarch makes the crust super crispy, and the baking powder makes it lighter.

3. Coat the chicken

Take the chicken out of the marinade, shake off any extra liquid, and add it to the flour mixture. Press down lightly so that the coating sticks well. If you want it to be even crunchier, dip the coated chicken back into the buttermilk and coat it again with flour.

4. Fry to golden perfection

Put oil in a deep pot and heat it to 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken in small batches for 3 to 4 minutes, or until it is golden brown and cooked all the way through. Don’t put too many things in the pan at once, because it will lower the oil temperature and make the coating soggy.

5. Drain and serve

Put fried popcorn chicken on a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack to get rid of extra oil. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce. Honey mustard, ranch, spicy mayo, or barbecue sauce are all great choices.

Tips for the Best Popcorn Chicken

• Chicken thighs are juicier than breast meat, so use them instead.
  
• Double dredge for more crunch: coat, dip, and coat again.
  
• Keep the oil temperature steady between 340 and 360 degrees Fahrenheit for even frying.
  
• Season right away—add salt or seasoning powder right after frying to get the most flavor.

How to Make a Healthier Popcorn Chicken

You can bake or air-fry popcorn chicken instead if you want a lighter version:

Baked Popcorn Chicken:

• Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  
• Put the chicken that has been coated on a baking sheet that has parchment paper on it.
  
• Spray lightly with oil and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through.

Air-Fried Popcorn Chicken:

• Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  
• Put the chicken in a single layer and lightly spray it with oil.
  
• Shake the pan halfway through cooking for 10 to 12 minutes..
  

You can still get a satisfying crunch, but you won’t have to deep fry..

Serving Ideas

Popcorn chicken is great on its own, but here are some fun ways to serve it:

• For a party, as a snack with a lot of dipping sauces..
  
• In sandwiches or wraps with lettuce, tomato, and mayo..
  
• On salads to make them crunchier.
  
• For a sweet and savory treat, waffles and syrup are great..

Pro Tip: If you are a fast food lover and want to check budget-friendly options, you might like to check out the Popeyes Tuesday specials to find the special daily deals from the famous restaurant Popeyes.

Popcorn Chicken Calories and Nutrition

The number of calories in popcorn chicken depends on how big the serving is and how it was cooked.

• Deep-fried: About 300 to 350 calories per serving (100g).
  
• Baked or air-fried: Each serving has about 180 to 220 calories.
  

If you choose a lighter way to cook it and serve it with a salad or roasted vegetables, you can enjoy it without feeling guilty.

How This Compares to KFC Popcorn Chicken Recipe

The famous KFC version is known for its bold spices and super-crispy texture. Making it at home lets you:

• Use fresher oil.
  
• Adjust spice levels to your taste.
  
• Skip MSG or other additives.

You can get very close to the taste of KFC’s famous popcorn chicken recipe by using the spice mix in this recipe..

FAQs:

1. Can I make popcorn chicken ahead of time?

Yes. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days after cooking it all the way through and letting it cool completely. To make it crispy again, heat it up in the oven or air fryer.

2. What’s the difference between popcorn chicken and chicken nuggets?

Popcorn chicken is smaller, has a more uneven shape, and usually has a crunchier coating. Nuggets are all the same size and softer.

3. Can I freeze popcorn chicken?

Yes. After frying and cooling, put the food on a tray and freeze it. You can keep it in freezer bags for up to two months. You can reheat it straight from the freezer in an oven or air fryer.

4. How can I make spicy popcorn chicken?

For an extra kick, add chili powder, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to the marinade..

5. Is popcorn chicken easy to make for beginners?

Of course! You probably already have the ingredients and steps for this easy popcorn chicken recipe in your kitchen.

Final Thoughts

This recipe for popcorn chicken shows that homemade food is always better than takeout. It’s crunchy, tasty, and so good that you’ll want to make more for leftovers (even though there probably won’t be any).

These little golden nuggets will be a hit with everyone at your table, whether you stick to the basic chicken popcorn recipe, add some spices like the KFC popcorn chicken recipe, or make a lighter baked version.

Get your chicken ready, heat up the oil (or air fryer), and get ready to taste crispy perfection in every bite.