Crispy Popcorn Chicken Recipe: Snackable Bites of Flavor

Weeknight dinners demand a crowd-pleasing crispy popcorn chicken recipe that delights everyone at the table.

Bite-sized, golden-brown morsels of juicy chicken promise pure comfort and excitement.

These tender pieces burst with flavor and crunch in every single bite.

Marinated in a zesty blend of spices, each chunk delivers a perfect balance of seasoning and texture.

The secret lies in the crisp, light coating that seals in moisture and creates an irresistible crunch.

Simple ingredients transform ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal that kids and adults will devour.

Prepare to make dinner a celebration of deliciousness that leaves everyone asking for seconds.

Crispy Popcorn Chicken Why You’ll Love Every Bite

• Whip up restaurant-style chicken in just a few simple steps, perfect for home cooks craving delicious comfort food without complicated techniques.
• Achieve an irresistibly crunchy exterior with the double-dip panko method, creating golden-brown pieces that crack beautifully with every bite.
• Kids and adults will love these bite-sized chicken pieces that can be customized with different dipping sauces, making mealtime fun and interactive.
• Great for casual dinners, game day snacks, parties, or quick weeknight meals that come together faster than ordering takeout.

Ingredients for Crispy Popcorn Chicken Fun

• Chicken: Tender, boneless pieces perfect for creating a crispy and flavorful snack.
• Buttermilk: Helps tenderize the chicken and creates a tangy, moist coating.
• Panko Crumbs: Provides an extra crispy and light texture to the chicken.

• Flour, Garlic Salt: Creates the first layer of seasoning and helps the buttermilk adhere to the chicken.

• Cooking Oil: Enables deep frying to achieve a golden, crispy exterior.
• Paper Towels: Used for draining excess oil after frying.

Popcorn Chicken Equipment Checklist

• Large Skillet or Deep Fryer: Essential for deep-frying chicken with about 2 inches of oil.
• Three Medium Mixing Bowls: Perfect for creating coating stations with flour, buttermilk, and panko crumbs.
• Tongs: Great for safely moving and turning chicken pieces in hot oil.
• Measuring Cups: Helpful for accurately measuring flour and buttermilk.
• Paper Towels: Crucial for draining excess oil and making chicken crispy.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
• Cutting Board: Used for preparing and cutting chicken.

Cooking Crispy Popcorn Chicken the Easy Way

Step 1: Prepare Oil Station

Fill a heavy-bottomed pan with oil, creating a 2-inch deep pool of frying goodness.

Set the heat to medium, allowing the oil to gradually warm up and create the perfect crispy environment for your chicken bites.

Step 2: Create Coating Stations

• Bowl 1: Combine flour with garlic salt for a flavor-packed base coating
• Bowl 2: Pour fresh buttermilk for the magical moisture layer
• Bowl 3: Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs for ultimate crunch

Step 3: Dredge Chicken Pieces

• First, roll in the seasoned flour mixture
• Next, dive into the buttermilk bath
• Finally, roll generously in panko crumbs

Step 4: Double-Crunch Technique

• Dip coated chicken back into buttermilk
• Roll again in fresh panko for an extra crispy exterior

Step 5: Fry to Golden Perfection

Carefully lower chicken pieces into hot oil, working in small batches.

Fry each side for 3-4 minutes until they transform into a gorgeous golden-brown color with a satisfying crunch.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Plate up these crispy delights while warm, accompanied by your favorite dipping sauce for an irresistible meal.

Secrets for the Crunchiest Popcorn Chicken

• Use a splatter screen or cover pan partially to reduce oil mess and protect yourself from hot oil splatters.
• Double-coating in buttermilk and panko ensures an extra crispy, thick exterior that stays crunchy longer.
• Maintain consistent 350°F oil temperature using a thermometer to guarantee evenly cooked, golden-brown chicken pieces.
• Let chicken rest on paper towels at an angle to help excess oil drip away, keeping the coating crisp and not greasy.
• Swap wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free panko for celiac-friendly version without compromising texture.

Popcorn Chicken Variations and Dipping Ideas

• Gluten-Free Popcorn Chicken: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free blend, use gluten-free panko crumbs for celiac-friendly version.
• Spicy Cajun Chicken Bites: Add cayenne pepper and paprika to flour mix, sprinkle Cajun seasoning on panko crumbs for extra kick.
• Herb-Infused Chicken Nuggets: Mix dried thyme, rosemary, and parsley into panko crumbs for aromatic herbal flavor profile.
• Baked Healthier Option: Skip frying, spray chicken with olive oil, bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes, turning once for even golden coating.

Serving Suggestions for Popcorn Chicken

• Picnic Perfect Platter: Arrange crispy popcorn chicken on a large wooden board with colorful dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, and BBQ for a crowd-pleasing presentation.
• Party Poppers: Serve bite-sized chicken pieces on toothpicks with mini sauce cups for easy finger food at game nights or casual gatherings.
• Meal Combo Magic: Pair chicken with classic sides like coleslaw, french fries, or a fresh green salad to create a satisfying and complete meal that everyone will love.
• Lunch Box Star: Pack cooled chicken pieces in lunch containers with separate sauce compartments for a delicious midday meal that stays crispy and tasty.

Storing Popcorn Chicken to Keep It Crispy

• Transfer cooled chicken to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep chicken pieces separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual chicken pieces in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 2 months. Label the bag with the date for easy tracking.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet to maintain crispiness. Bake for 10-12 minutes, turning once halfway through to ensure even heating.

FAQs

• Why use buttermilk for coating chicken?

Buttermilk helps tenderize chicken meat and creates a thick, sticky coating that helps breading stick better, making the chicken more flavorful and crispy.

• Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, but add a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk to mimic buttermilk’s tangy flavor and tenderizing properties.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure chicken is safe to eat and not undercooked.

• What's the best oil for frying popcorn chicken?

Vegetable oil or canola oil work best because they have high smoke points and neutral flavors, allowing the chicken’s seasoning to shine through.

Crispy Popcorn Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy popcorn chicken emerges as a crowd-pleasing snack perfect for parties or casual gatherings. Small, golden-brown chicken bites deliver irresistible crunch and flavor you can’t stop eating.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken:

• 2 chicken breasts, cubed

Dry Coating:

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt with parsley
• Black pepper to taste

Wet Ingredients and Cooking:

• 1 cup buttermilk
• Vegetable oil for frying

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Instructions

1. Prepare a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot, filling with vegetable oil to a depth of 2 inches. Heat oil to 350°F, maintaining a consistent medium temperature.
2. Create three separate shallow dishes: first with seasoned flour mixed with aromatic garlic salt, second with cold buttermilk, third with crisp panko breadcrumbs.
3. Thoroughly pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels to ensure optimal coating adhesion.
4. Methodically dredge each chicken piece: first roll in seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage, then dip into buttermilk, finally coat generously with panko breadcrumbs.
5. For maximum crunchiness, repeat the buttermilk and panko coating process, creating a thicker, more textured exterior.
6. Carefully lower breaded chicken pieces into hot oil, cooking in small batches to prevent overcrowding and maintain oil temperature.
7. Fry chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, rotating to achieve uniform golden-brown coloration and internal temperature of 165°F.
8. Remove chicken using a slotted spoon, transferring to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil and preserve crispy texture.
9. Let chicken rest for 2-3 minutes to allow coating to set and cool slightly. Serve immediately with preferred dipping sauce for optimal flavor and crunch.

Notes

• Prevent Overcrowding Fry chicken in small batches to maintain oil temperature and ensure maximum crispiness.
• Create Flavor Variations Add different spices like paprika, cayenne, or dried herbs to flour mix for unique taste profiles.
• Gluten-Free Option Substitute wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, and use gluten-free panko for dietary needs.
• Healthier Baking Alternative Bake chicken at 425°F on a wire rack for 20-25 minutes, spraying with cooking oil for similar crispy texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer, Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg