Description
Crispy popcorn chicken brings irresistible comfort right to your kitchen, elevating classic snacking with a lighter air fryer twist. Perfectly seasoned bites deliver maximum flavor while keeping calories in check, ensuring you’ll crave this guilt-free crowd-pleaser again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Coating Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (divided)
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cooking Ingredients:
- Olive oil spray
- Optional dips: ketchup, low-fat ranch, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, marinara
Instructions
- Prepare a zesty seasoning blend by mixing flour with aromatic spices including garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, cayenne, and salt, creating a flavorful coating for the chicken.
- Thoroughly coat each chicken piece in the spice mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage for maximum flavor infusion.
- Dunk the seasoned chicken into whisked eggs, allowing the egg to create a smooth adhesive layer for the breadcrumb coating.
- Create a crispy exterior by rolling the egg-dipped chicken in panko breadcrumbs that have been lightly moistened with olive oil and a sprinkle of remaining salt.
- Carefully position the breaded chicken pieces in a single, uncrowded layer within the air fryer basket, preventing overcrowding that could compromise crispiness.
- Lightly mist the chicken with olive oil spray to enhance golden browning and promote a crunchy texture.
- Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for approximately 6-7 minutes, then gently flip each piece to ensure uniform cooking and crispness.
- Continue air frying for an additional 4-5 minutes, monitoring the chicken until it achieves a beautiful golden-brown color and reaches a safe internal temperature.
- Remove the popcorn chicken and let rest for a brief moment to allow the crispy exterior to set before serving hot.
Notes
- Create a gluten-free version by swapping regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumb mix for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breast meat for extra juiciness and richer flavor if you prefer more tender chicken.
- Pat chicken pieces completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness and better breadcrumb adhesion in the air fryer.
- Experiment with different spice blends like smoked paprika, herbs de Provence, or Cajun seasoning to transform the flavor profile and keep the dish exciting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg