Crispy Homemade Popcorn Chicken Recipe: A Family Favorite

Crispy and golden popcorn chicken brings pure comfort to any meal you crave.

Bite-sized pieces of tender meat promise an irresistible crunch that makes everyone smile.

Perfectly seasoned morsels dance with delightful flavors across your plate.

Home cooking reaches new heights with this simple yet satisfying dish.

Each morsel packs a punch of seasoning that takes weeknight dinners from ordinary to extraordinary.

Small chunks of chicken become crispy treasures when coated in a perfectly seasoned breading.

Serve these delectable bites alongside your favorite dipping sauce and watch hungry faces light up with excitement.

Popcorn Chicken That’s Crispy and Bite-Sized

• Quick Weeknight Winner: Whip up delicious popcorn chicken in under an hour with minimal prep time and simple ingredients.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Kids and adults alike love these crispy, bite-sized chicken pieces that taste better than fast-food versions.
• Customizable Flavor Explosion: Easily adjust spice levels and seasonings to match your family's taste preferences, creating a versatile meal option.
• Budget-Friendly Protein: Transform affordable chicken pieces into a restaurant-quality dish without breaking the bank, making it perfect for budget-conscious home cooks.

Homemade Popcorn Chicken Ingredient Guide

• Chicken: Tender protein base for the popcorn chicken, best when using boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for even cooking.

• Buttermilk, Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika: Flavor-packed liquid that tenderizes chicken and adds deep, rich seasoning, full-fat buttermilk helps create extra juicy meat.

• Flour, Cornstarch, Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika, Cayenne: Crispy coating that provides golden crunch and additional layers of spicy flavor, cornstarch helps create extra crispy exterior.

• Cooking Oil: Essential for deep frying, neutral oils like vegetable or canola work best for high-heat cooking and clean flavor profile.

Popcorn Chicken Breading and Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Whip Up Zesty Marinade

Grab a mixing bowl and pour in buttermilk.

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika

Toss chicken pieces into the marinade, ensuring each morsel gets totally drenched.

Cover and tuck into the refrigerator for a flavor-boosting rest between 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Step 2: Create Crunchy Coating

Prepare another bowl for the crispy exterior.

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika
• Cayenne pepper (optional for heat lovers)

Step 3: Transform Chicken into Crispy Delights

Pull chicken from its buttermilk bath, letting excess liquid drip away.

Roll each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing gently to create a perfect, even coating.

Let coated chicken hang out for 5-10 minutes to help breading stick like a champ.

Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat oil in a deep pan until it reaches 350°F.

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

Fry each batch for 3-5 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and cook completely through.

Use a slotted spoon to transfer crispy morsels onto a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 5: Serve and Devour

Plate up these crispy bites while they’re hot!

Accompany with your favorite dipping sauces like tangy ranch, sweet honey mustard, or fiery spicy mayo.

Get ready for a flavor explosion!

Chicken Nugget Tips for Homemade Popcorn Perfection

• Use buttermilk for maximum tenderness and flavor absorption, ensuring each piece gets coated evenly with seasonings.
• Let breaded chicken rest 5-10 minutes before frying to help the coating stick better and create a crunchier exterior.
• Keep oil consistently at 350°F to prevent soggy or greasy chicken, using a thermometer for accurate monitoring.
• Cook chicken in small portions to maintain oil temperature and prevent overcrowding, which can lead to uneven cooking.
• Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to make the popcorn chicken mild or extra spicy based on personal heat preference.

Reheat Popcorn Chicken

• Store leftover popcorn chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, place in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for maximum 2 months; label with the date to track freshness.
• Preheat oven to 375°F, spread chicken on a baking sheet, and warm for 10-12 minutes until crispy and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, checking to prevent sogginess.

Homemade Popcorn Chicken Best Accompaniments

• Elevate Flavor Combinations: Zesty Ranch Dip Duo
• Whip up a homemade ranch dressing with fresh dill and chives to complement the crispy chicken. Add a kick with a spicy mayo on the side for those who love extra heat.
• Perfectly Paired Beverage Selections
• Choose a cold American wheat beer or a crisp hard apple cider to balance the chicken's richness. The light, refreshing drink will cut through the fried coating's heaviness.
• Southern-Style Comfort Plate
• Serve alongside creamy coleslaw and quick pickles for a classic Southern-inspired meal. The tangy, cool side dishes will contrast beautifully with the hot, crunchy popcorn chicken.
• Dipping Sauce Adventure
• Create a honey mustard sauce by mixing Dijon mustard, honey, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Layer different sauce options to explore unique flavor profiles with each bite.

Popcorn Chicken Homemade Versions

• Gluten-Free Popcorn Chicken: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or rice flour, ensuring crispy texture while accommodating celiac or gluten-sensitive diets.
• Baked Low-Fat Version: Skip deep-frying and instead spray chicken pieces with olive oil, bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, turning once to achieve golden crispiness with reduced calories.
• Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Bites: Add finely chopped jalapeños into the breading mixture and incorporate hot sauce into the buttermilk marinade for an extra kick of heat and flavor.
• Herb-Infused Chicken Nuggets: Mix dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano into the flour coating, creating an aromatic and savory variation that elevates the classic recipe.

FAQs

• What's the secret to getting a crispy coating?

The key is to let the coated chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before frying. This helps the breading adhere better and creates a crunchier exterior.

• Can I use something other than buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using to create a similar tangy effect.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The chicken should be golden brown on the outside and white (not pink) on the inside.

• Is it possible to make this recipe less spicy?

Simply omit the cayenne pepper from the breading mixture. You can also reduce or eliminate the black pepper if you prefer a milder flavor.

Homemade Popcorn Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy homemade popcorn chicken delivers irresistible flavor in every golden, bite-sized morsel. Garlic, herbs, and a perfectly seasoned coating make this crowd-pleasing snack an instant favorite you cannot stop munching.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes
• 1 cup buttermilk

Seasoning:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

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Instructions

1. Prepare a robust marinade by whisking buttermilk with aromatic seasonings, creating a flavor-packed bath for tender chicken morsels.
2. Submerge chicken pieces completely in the seasoned liquid, ensuring each morsel is generously coated and absorbing the zesty profile.
3. Allow the chicken to rest and infuse with flavors in the refrigerator, developing a deep, rich taste characteristic of gourmet poultry.
4. Craft a crispy coating by blending dry ingredients into a textured, seasoned flour mixture that will transform the chicken’s exterior.
5. Carefully extract chicken from the buttermilk bath, allowing excess liquid to cascade back into the container.
6. Meticulously dredge each chicken piece through the seasoned flour, pressing firmly to create a thick, even layer of breading.
7. Let the coated chicken pieces pause momentarily, allowing the breading to adhere and set for maximum crunchiness.
8. Heat oil to precise temperature, creating a bubbling environment perfect for achieving golden, crisp exteriors.
9. Delicately lower chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in small batches to maintain optimal cooking temperature.
10. Fry until the chicken reaches a stunning golden-brown color and ensures complete internal cooking.
11. Transfer crispy morsels to an absorptive surface, allowing excess oil to drain and preserve the perfect crunch.
12. Present these delectable bites alongside zesty condiments like tangy ranch, sweet honey mustard, or fiery spicy mayo for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Notes

• Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes to ensure tenderness and deep flavor infusion.
• Let coated chicken rest before frying to help the crispy layer adhere perfectly and prevent falling off during cooking.
• Maintain oil at consistent 350°F for even, golden-brown exterior without burning or undercooking chicken pieces.
• Swap wheat flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or rice flour for celiac-friendly version, and use plant-based buttermilk for dairy-free adaptation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg