Popcorn Chicken

There’s something so fun and nostalgic about this popcorn chicken. It reminds me of childhood trips to KFC or Popeye’s.

But let me tell you, this homemade version blows those out of the water! 

Pieces of juicy chicken breast are double-dipped in a buttermilk batter and coated with a perfectly seasoned panko crust. Every bite has an amazing crunch.

And the dipping sauces are a must. Honey mustard and ranch are my favorites! 

This recipe is so easy to make, and it’s so much fun to eat! 

Why You’ll Love This Popcorn Chicken

Family Fun Cooking: This is the perfect recipe to get kids in on the fun. They’ll love making it.

Crispy Texture: The double frying method ensures an extra crispy and satisfying crunch.

Versatile: Perfect as a main dish, appetizer, or party snack, this popcorn chicken recipe is incredibly versatile. Serve it with a variety of dipping sauces to please a crowd.

Make-Ahead Friendly: Marinate the chicken in buttermilk and spices ahead of time for a quick and easy meal prep. This enhances the flavor and streamlines the cooking process for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

• Chicken Breast: I like chicken breast best, but you can also use chicken thighs for more flavor.
  
• Buttermilk: The secret to tenderizing the chicken and adding tangy flavor to every morsel.
  
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic infuses the chicken with savory aromatics.
  
• All-Purpose Flour: It creates a light base coat for the crispy panko breading to cling to.
  
• Cornstarch: The key to an extra crispy coating that stays crunchy.
  
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Japanese-style breadcrumbs make the chicken super crisp and crunchy.
  
• Seasonings: All you need is salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
  
• Vegetable Oil: For deep frying the chicken bites until perfectly golden brown and crisp.

How to Make Popcorn Chicken

This chicken is so easy, even beginners can do it! 

1. Marinate the chicken pieces. In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces, buttermilk, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.

2. Prepare the coating mixtures. In one dish, mix the flour, cornstarch, remaining salt and pepper. In another, beat the eggs. In a third, mix the panko crumbs with paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne.

3. Bread the chicken. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk. Dredge in the flour mixture, then the egg, then the seasoned panko crumbs, pressing the crumbs to adhere.

4. Fry the chicken. Heat the oil to 350°F and fry the chicken in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on a wire rack.

5. Double fry (optional). For extra crispiness, fry the chicken pieces a second time for 1-2 minutes until deeply golden.

6. Season and serve. Sprinkle with salt if desired. Serve immediately with dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or sweet chili sauce.

Tips for the Best Popcorn Chicken

These are some of my best tips for perfect popcorn chicken!

• Cook it your way. For a healthier option, bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or air fry at 390°F for about 15 minutes, turning halfway through.
  
• Watch the temperature. Heat the frying oil to 350°F and try to maintain the temperature for consistent browning and cooking.
  
• Don’t overcrowd! Fry the popcorn chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot, which can lower the oil temperature.
  
• Ditch the excess oil. Transfer the fried chicken pieces to a wire rack set over paper towels. This will drain the excess oil while keeping the coating crisp.
  
• Try fun variations. For a different crispy texture, swap the all-purpose flour for rice flour or potato starch. You can also add other spices like cumin, chili powder, or ranch seasoning to the breading.
  
• Do some serious dipping! Serve the popcorn chicken with an array of tasty dipping sauces, such as honey mustard, ranch, sweet chili sauce, BBQ sauce, garlic aioli, or sweet and sour sauce.

How to Store

Here’s how to keep the chicken nice and fresh.

To Store: Place the chicken in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Avoid leaving it at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

To Freeze: Arrange the chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer to an air-tight freezer bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months.

To Reheat: Preheat the oven to 400°F, arrange the chicken on a baking sheet, and bake for 10-15 minutes until crispy, flipping halfway through. Or, reheat in an air fryer at 375°F for 5-7 minutes, shaking occasionally.