Description
This Easy Popcorn Chicken recipe features tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken breast coated in a crispy panko crust. Perfectly seasoned and deep-fried to golden perfection, these popcorn chicken bites make a delicious appetizer or snack that’s quick to prepare and sure to satisfy any craving.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
Breading
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, plus more to serve
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
Frying
- 1 cup vegetable or canola oil
Instructions
- Prepare breading stations: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and garlic powder to create the dry flour mixture. Pour the buttermilk into a separate bowl. Place the panko bread crumbs on a large plate to create the three separate stations for coating.
- Bread chicken: Take the chicken pieces and dredge each piece first in the flour mixture, ensuring an even coating. Then dip the floured chicken pieces into the buttermilk, allowing excess milk to drip off. Finally, coat each piece thoroughly in the panko bread crumbs and transfer them to a platter, ready for frying.
- Heat oil: Pour the vegetable or canola oil into a deep frying pan and heat it over medium heat until the oil reaches 350°F (175°C). It’s important to maintain this temperature for even cooking and crispiness.
- Fry chicken: Fry the coated chicken pieces in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook each batch until the chicken is golden brown and crispy on the outside, and fully cooked inside, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This typically takes about 4-5 minutes per batch.
- Drain and serve: Remove the fried chicken pieces with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Sprinkle with a little extra salt while still hot. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce for a delicious snack or meal accompaniment.
Notes
- Make sure oil is at the correct temperature (350°F) to ensure crispy chicken without greasy texture.
- Do not overcrowd the pan during frying to maintain oil temperature and even cooking.
- Chicken pieces should be uniform in size for even cooking.
- Use fresh panko breadcrumbs for the best crunchy coating.
- Serve with various dipping sauces such as ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.
