Description
Learn how to make crispy and flavorful popcorn chicken at home with this easy recipe. Perfect for a tasty appetizer or a fun main course, these bite-sized chicken pieces are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces)
Marinade:
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
Breading:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
Others:
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken in a bowl with buttermilk and hot sauce. Marinate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
- Prepare Breading: Mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Beat eggs in a separate bowl.
- Bread the Chicken: Coat chicken in flour mixture, then egg, and back into flour.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat oil to 350°F. Fry chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Serve: Drain on paper towels and serve hot with dipping sauces.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
- Air fryer version: spray breaded chicken with oil and air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Freeze leftovers and reheat in the oven or air fryer for a crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
