Crispy Popcorn Chicken
Crispy popcorn chicken is bite-sized pieces of chicken seasoned, breaded, and fried to golden perfection. Crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside, it’s perfect for snacking, parties, or a quick dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes (plus marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Ranch or honey mustard, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken pieces and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
- In a separate bowl, mix flour and cornstarch.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour-cornstarch mixture, pressing to coat well.
- Fry chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Double dredge the chicken for extra crunch.
- You can bake or air fry for a healthier alternative—spray with oil and cook at 400°F (200°C) until crispy.
- Perfect for meal prepping—freeze after frying and reheat in the oven.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier bites.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Find it online: https://tastyera.com/crispy-popcorn-chicken/