Popcorn Chicken

Who doesn’t love crispy little bites of chicken you can pop like candy? This homemade popcorn chicken recipe is fast, crunchy, and seriously addictive.

And the best part? You can have it in only 25 minutes!

This easy recipe is perfect for game day, movie night, lazy weekends, surprise guests, or when you just need something crispy and comforting fast.

Recipe Video

Why This Recipe Works

This easy popcorn chicken recipe works because it can be prepared quickly, it can be served alongside a variety of options, and it's a highly customizable recipe that you can cater to your personal tastes and dietary needs.

With simple steps like marinating, coating, and frying, you can have a flavorful dish ready in under an hour. Its versatility allows it to be served as an appetizer, main dish, or snack, making it perfect for any occasion. Additionally, the recipe is highly customizable; you can adjust the spices and marinades to suit your taste or even substitute chicken with tofu or cauliflower for different dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Chicken:

When it comes to making the best popcorn chicken recipe, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs. Chicken breasts provide a leaner option, while thighs offer more juiciness and flavor. Start by pounding the chicken with a meat mallet to make it a uniform thickness for even cooking and to tenderize the meat. If you want to make chickenless popcorn chicken, try using turkey breast, while tofu or cauliflower works to make vegan popcorn chicken.

Marinade:

In this recipe for popcorn chicken, the chicken is marinated in a mixture of milk and sour cream to add moisture, creating tender and juicy chicken pieces. For the best results, marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour up to overnight. Alternatively, buttermilk can be used to marinate your chicken or a mixture of plain yogurt and lemon juice. For a dairy free marinade, you can use coconut milk to help tenderize the meat.

Breading:

While the base of the coating is made from all-purpose flour and panko, you can choose to use any flour or breadcrumb alternative you like, whether that be gluten-free alternatives or not. Additionally, you can feel free to experiment with the seasonings adding rosemary, thyme, oregano, paprika, and even grated parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture.

How to Make Popcorn Chicken

Step One: 

Use a meat mallet to pound it into a thin piece, then chop it into cubes. Set aside.

Step Two: 

Whisk the milk and sour cream together in a bowl.

Step Three: 

Add the chicken and salt to the bowl and mix well to coat. Set aside to marinate.

Step Four: 

Add flour, panko, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne to a bowl and whisk to incorporate.

Step Five: 

Dust each piece of chicken in the panko mixture and set aside.

Step Six: 

Add enough vegetable oil to a pot to submerge the chicken in and heat it over high heat.

Step Seven: 

Once the oil is boiling hot, add chicken pieces to the pot to deep fry. Avoid overcrowding the pot so each piece of popcorn chicken is evenly cooked.

Step Eight: 

Remove the chicken from the oil and set on a rack to drip dry the excess oil.

Step Nine: 

Serve your crispy popcorn chicken with your favorite dips, and enjoy!

Tips

• Cut the chicken into small, even-sized bites to ensure they cook quickly and evenly, giving you the perfect crispy popcorn chicken texture.

What to Serve With Popcorn Chicken

This fried popcorn chicken is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of sides and dipping sauces. Serve it with fries, coleslaw, or a fresh salad for a balanced meal. For dipping, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or ranch will complement your homemade popcorn chicken perfectly.

For a fun twist, pair it with mashed potatoes and gravy, or use your popcorn chicken to create delicious wraps or bowls with rice and veggies.

If that’s not enough options for you, check What To Serve With Popcorn Chicken for 15 more delicious ideas 🙂

FAQs

Do I have to deep fry my homemade popcorn chicken?

No, you don't. For a healthier option, you can bake your popcorn chicken for 15-20 minutes at 400F, flipping halfway through. Alternatively, you can make air fryer popcorn chicken by cooking for 10-12 minutes at 375F, shaking the basket halfway through.

Can I make gluten-free popcorn chicken?

Yes, you can. Simply substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch to make gluten-free popcorn chicken. You can also substitute the panko for your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers, cereal, or potato chips.

What's the best way to store leftover popcorn chicken?

You can store leftover popcorn chicken by placing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer-term storage, spread the cooked and cooled popcorn chicken on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer it to a freezer bag to store in the freezer.

Similar Chicken Recipes

Chicken is a highly customizable protein that can be made in a variety of ways, like this quick popcorn chicken recipe. We've gathered some more of our favorite chicken recipes to help give you some inspiration for your next meal.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Chicken Kebabs

Shake And Bake Chicken

Peri Peri Chicken