Easy Popcorn Chicken

This Easy Popcorn Chicken features bite-sized pieces of tender chicken coated in a seasoned, crispy breading, perfect for dipping, snacking, or serving as a fun family meal.

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword easy-chicken-recipes, easy-popcorn-chicken

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Marinade time 4

Total Time 4 30

Servings servings

Calories 330kcal

Ingredients

2 1/2-3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts

cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/2 cups pancake mix
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 tsp seasoned salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 large eggs beaten
1/2 cup whole milk
peanut or vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

Place chicken pieces into a plastic storage bag and cover with buttermilk. Marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Prepare: Remove chicken pieces from buttermilk to a colander to drain. Discard marinade.
Set-up Dredging Station:
1st Shallow Bowl - Mix together pancake mix, cornstarch, seasoned salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper in a shallow dish.
2nd Shallow Bowl - Whisk together eggs and milk in a separate shallow dish. Have nearby a pan to place breaded pieces.
Dredge each chicken piece in dry mixture, dip in egg wash and into dry mixture a second time. Place onto the pan in a single layer. Repeat until all chicken pieces are breaded. (This can be done up to an hour in advance then placed into the fridge until ready to fry)
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350-360°F. Fry chicken in batches for about 3 minutes total or until golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Turn as needed for even browning. Maintain cooking temperature while frying. (Cooking time may vary slightly depending on size of chicken pieces.)
Use a slotted spoon and remove to a paper towel lined pan or platter. Sprinkle lightly with additional seasoned salt immediately.
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.
To Make Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken:
After breading the chicken pieces, place them onto a baking pan and into the fridge uncovered for at least one hour or up to 4 hours for the breading to dry and set.
Spray the basket of an air fryer with cooking spray. Spray popcorn chicken with cooking spray or an oil mister. Arrange in the basket of an air fryer.
Cook at 375°F in batches in a single layer for 10 minutes stopping to shake the basket halfway through.
After 10 minutes, spray chicken again with cooking spray or an oil mister on all sides.
Continue to cook for an additional 5-7 minutes or just until cooked through, juices run clear and golden. Keep warm until serving.

Notes

Chicken - You could use boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. Thighs may take slightly longer to cook, but otherwise no other adjustments are needed. You could use the breading for bone-in chicken, too but the cooking time and technique is very different. See how to make Southern Fried Chicken here.
Pancake Mix - You could use all purpose flour, self-rising flour or biscuit mix in place of pancake mix. This recipe utilizes a combination of pancake mix and cornstarch to give the coating that crunch we all love.
Spice - If you'd like to make spicy popcorn chicken, add 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the seasonings for the breading.

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