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–+ servings
bowl filled with popcorn chicken recipe, with sauces in the background.
5 from 32 votes
Created by: Stefanie

Popcorn Chicken Recipe


Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
8
This Popcorn Chicken Recipe is even better than KFC! Make it in less than 30 minutes from the comfort of your kitchen and enjoy as a party snack or appetizer!
8

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless chicken breasts skinless chicken breasts (6 ounces each)
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 dashes Cholula or Tabasco hot sauce
  • 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ¾ teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 cups panko bread crumbs
  • vegetable oil or shortening for frying at least 4 cups

Instructions

  • Dice chicken breasts into small bite-size pieces (¾”x ¾”).
  • In a bowl, stir together buttermilk and hot sauce.
  • Whisk together flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder in a shallow bowl.
  • Place panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl.
  • Heat oil (at least 4” deep preferably 6” or more) in a Dutch oven. Heat oil to 350°F. The oil takes 15 minutes or so to heat to temperature. Use a candy or food thermometer to check the temperature. It must be the correct temperature before frying the chicken.
  • Working with just a few pieces at a time, dip chicken pieces into the flour mixture, coating on all sides. Then dip chicken in buttermilk and finally into the panko breadcrumbs.
  • Carefully drop just a few chicken pieces at a time into heated oil and fry until cooked through (the center should reach 165°F). The outside should be deep golden brown and crispy. Maintain an oil temperature of 350°F for best results. The chicken takes just 2-3 minutes to cook through.
  • Place cooked chicken on paper towels or brown paper bags to soak up excess oil.

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Notes

  1. You will get the best results if you maintain a good depth of oil through the frying process and a consistent temperature of the oil. Use a food thermometer to ensure that your oil is at the correct temperature throughout the cooking time. 
  2. For an optimal crunch factor, make sure that you coat each chicken piece well on all sides in the flour, buttermilk, and Panko mixture prior to frying. 
  3. Popcorn Chicken makes a great snack or appetizer that you can serve on a platter board with your favorite dips and other accompanying finger snacks for game day or other social gatherings. 
  4. While the Panko bread crumbs will create a longer-lasting crunch compared to other alternatives, I still recommend that you eat them straight away for the best flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 381kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 56mg | Sodium: 557mg | Potassium: 237mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 167IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 2mg

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