Description
Crispy golden Popcorn Chicken brings Southern comfort straight to dinner tables with irresistible bite-sized goodness. Small chicken pieces deliver perfect crunch and flavor that make delicious meals memorable for hungry families craving classic comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 pound (500 grams) boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Marinade:
- 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk mixed with 1 tablespoon vinegar/lemon juice, rested for 5 minutes)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Coating:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Frying:
- Oil, for frying
Instructions
- Infuse chicken pieces with a zesty buttermilk marinade blending garlic, onion, paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Submerge chicken completely, ensuring thorough coverage.
- Allow marinated chicken to rest and absorb flavors in refrigerator for minimum 30 minutes, preferably up to 4 hours for enhanced taste profile.
- Create a crispy coating by combining flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a wide shallow container.
- Remove chicken from marinade, gently drain excess liquid, then methodically coat each piece in seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure complete adherence.
- Prepare oil in a deep skillet, heating to precise 175°C (350°F) temperature for optimal frying conditions.
- Carefully lower coated chicken pieces into hot oil, maintaining strategic spacing to prevent overcrowding and ensure consistent browning.
- Fry chicken segments for 3-4 minutes, rotating occasionally to achieve uniform golden-brown exterior and guarantee thorough internal cooking.
- Extract fried chicken using slotted spoon, transferring to paper towel-lined surface to absorb residual oil and maintain crispiness.
- Plate immediately while hot, accompanied by preferred dipping sauces such as ketchup, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or ranch dressing for enhanced flavor experience.
Notes
- Ensure chicken pieces are bite-sized and uniform for even cooking and crispy texture.
- Marinate chicken overnight in buttermilk for extra tenderness and deeper flavor penetration.
- Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain consistent oil temperature, preventing greasy or undercooked chicken.
- Opt for gluten-free flour blend if preparing for people with gluten sensitivities.
- Let coated chicken rest for 10 minutes before frying to help coating adhere better and create crunchier exterior.
- Drain fried chicken on wire rack instead of paper towels to maintain crispiness and prevent soggy bottom.
- Experiment with spice blend by adding smoked paprika, cayenne, or dried herbs for unique flavor profiles.
- Store leftover popcorn chicken in airtight container in refrigerator and reheat in air fryer to maintain crispiness.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg