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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- Create three separate shallow dishes: first with seasoned flour mixed with aromatic garlic salt, second with cold buttermilk, third with crisp panko breadcrumbs.
- Thoroughly pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels to ensure optimal coating adhesion.
- Methodically dredge each chicken piece: first roll in seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage, then dip into buttermilk, finally coat generously with panko breadcrumbs.
- For maximum crunchiness, repeat the buttermilk and panko coating process, creating a thicker, more textured exterior.
- Carefully lower breaded chicken pieces into hot oil, cooking in small batches to prevent overcrowding and maintain oil temperature.
- Fry chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, rotating to achieve uniform golden-brown coloration and internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove chicken using a slotted spoon, transferring to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil and preserve crispy texture.
- 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