Crispy, delicious Popcorn Chicken is a family favorite!! It’s easy to make, but it’s a hit with the entire family making dinner a cinch.
If you’re looking for an easy dinner idea – look no further! Popcorn Chicken is an easy recipe that the whole family loves. Serve it with some Crockpot Mac and Cheese, Pasta Salad, or even Fruit Salad for a simple meal!
Homemade Popcorn Chicken
These fried chicken nuggets are a crispy and delicious favorite!
You’d be surprised just how simple this homemade Popcorn Chicken is. What’s even better is that it only requires a few ingredients!!
Not only do we like to make this chicken for an appetizer or dinner, but it’s a great addition for salads too.
Change it up with the kind of breading used (Panko or different bread crumbs). No matter how you make it, I’m sure you will quickly see just how yummy it is.
Prepping the Chicken
Cut the chicken. The biggest tip I have when cutting bite-sized pieces of chicken is to use half-frozen breasts and a sharp kitchen knife. The almost frozen chicken cuts beautiful even pieces.
I prefer using boneless skinless chicken breast but you can use boneless skinless thighs as well.
Marinate. If you have time I suggest marinating the chicken in buttermilk for at least an hour, but not more than 12 hours. The buttermilk marinade helps the chicken to fry up flaky and delicious.
Add spice. I like to add some kick to my chicken. Mix any of the following ingredients with the panko crumbs:
- Cayenne Pepper
- Paprika
- Chipotle Flakes
- Red Chili Flakes
How to Make Popcorn Chicken
This Popcorn Chicken recipe is beyond simple to make!
OIL. Begin, by adding 1-2 inches of vegetable oil to a medium pan and heat on the medium setting.
3 BOWLS. Mix together flour and garlic salt in a small bowl. In another small bowl add buttermilk. In a third small bowl add the panko crumbs. Place the three bowls in a line.
COAT. Dip the chicken pieces in the flour mixture first followed by the buttermilk and lastly the panko crumbs. Dip all the chicken pieces making sure that all sides are coated with each ingredient.
- For double-coated chicken pieces dip the pieces in the buttermilk a second time and again in the panko crumbs. If you’re making a double coating you will need extra milk and panko crumbs.
Place a paper towel on a plate next to the stove near the hot oil.
FRY. Working in batches, place the chicken pieces in the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown.
Once the pieces are done use tongs to remove them from the oil and place them on the paper towel-lined plate.
Panko alternatives. Instead of using panko crumbs, use plain or seasoned bread crumbs, crushed cornflakes, or crushed ritz crackers.
Alternative Cooking Methods
Oven bake. To save a few calories, bake this recipe for Popcorn Chicken in the oven.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes flip and bake for another 8-10 minutes.
- Finish them off under the broiler to help give a bit more crunch.
Air fry. Using an air fryer is another great alternative.
- Set the temperature to 400°F.
- Spray cooking oil on the air fryer basket.
- Arrange the popcorn chicken in a single layer without the pieces touching.
For a bit more crispiness, lightly spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray. Cook the chicken for about 8-10 minutes depending on the size. Flip them at the halfway mark. Cook each batch in the same manner.
Serving and Storing Tips
Ketchup is a classic dipping sauce, but for more sauce flavors, check out these favorites:
Make/store ahead of time. Raw chicken pieces can be coated the day before and kept covered in the fridge until you’re ready to fry them.
FREEZE cooked Popcorn Chicken for up to 4 months. After the chicken has been cooked, allow the pieces to cool and store them in an airtight freezer container. Reheat in the oven.
For More kid-friendly foods:
Popcorn Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt (with parsley flakes)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup panko crumbs
- pepper
- vegetable oil
Instructions
- Add 1-2 inches of vegetable oil to a medium pan and heat on the medium setting.
- Mix together flour and garlic salt in a small bowl. In another small bowl add buttermilk. In a third small bowl add the panko crumbs. Place the three bowls in a line.
- Dip the chicken pieces in the flour mixture first followed by the buttermilk and lastly the panko crumbs. Dip all the chicken pieces making sure that all sides are coated with each ingredient. For a double coating dip the pieces in the buttermilk a second time and again in the panko crumbs. If you're make a double coating you will need extra milk and panko crumbs.
- Place a paper towel on a plate next to the stove near the hot oil.
- Working in batches, place the chicken pieces in the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Once the pieces are done use tongs to remove them from the oil and place them on the paper towel-lined plate
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
These look like SOMETHING my bunch would love, and really save money on whenever we are craving chikfila.
My kids love them..I know yours would too! Thank you so much!!
These are perfectly crispy & taste delicious! Popcorn chicken is a favorite at our house & this recipe is so much better than store bought!
my kids haven’t been this excited for dinner in a long time! These were super easy to make and they loved’em…#winwin
tHIS POPCORN CHICKEN WAS SO DELICIOUS AND EASY TO MAKE.
I love this idea of making popcorn chicken from scratch! Cannot wait to trY!
Hi! Curious if anyone has tried making these in an air fryer. Any insight appreciated! Either way, I’m excited to try these. My son has an egg allergy and breaded things are usually unsafe for him. These look perfect! Thanks!
My grandkids love chicken nuggets. Anytime I make them they devour them!
Do you have to use butter milk I don’t keep it just milk
The buttermilk marinade helps the chicken to fry up flaky and delicious. It may turn out a little different with milk.
These were incredible! Panko is a must, as is the buttermilk wash. I marinated the chicken in buttermilk for an hour before and they were perfect! Also the smaller batches you cook, the more the crispy crust stays on.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing! Buttermilk does an amazing job at tenderizing meat.
Hello .. can use chicken thigh instead of breast??
You bet!!
Delicious and easy! i added creole seasoning to the flour. and i air fryed it as per directions!! YUM!
Ooh sounds delicious! I’m glad you enjoyed the chicken!
Didn’t have buttermilk, so used regular milk. It was a big it for family dinner…my 5 yo grandson’s birthday dinner! Will definitely make this again!
Rose
I’m so glad you loved it! Thanks for sharing what you did.