Crispy Popcorn Chicken Recipe
Get ready to enjoy bite-sized bliss with this homemade Crispy Popcorn Chicken recipe! Perfectly seasoned and delightfully crunchy, this dish makes an ideal snack for parties or a fun dinner option that everyone will love. Let’s dive into the recipe and learn how to make these golden nuggets of deliciousness.
Ingredients
- Marinade:
- ¾ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ¼ lb. boneless skinless chicken breast (about 3 small breasts)
- Breading:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 pinch cayenne
- For Frying:
- 1.5 quarts (6 cups) vegetable oil
Instructions
- Prep Work:
- Place cooling racks over a baking sheet to catch excess oil after frying, ensuring your chicken stays crispy.
- Use a meat mallet to gently tap the chicken, creating a textured surface for better breading adherence.
- Pat the chicken dry and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine sour cream, milk, and salt. Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 12 hours in the fridge. If refrigerated, let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before frying.
- In a separate wide container, mix together all the breading ingredients.
- Bread the Chicken:
- Gently remove excess marinade from the chicken using your fingers or the edge of the container.
- Coat the chicken pieces thoroughly in the breading mixture.
- Set aside the breaded chicken on a plate and repeat until all pieces are well-coated.
- Frying:
- Heat the vegetable oil in a pot to 350-375°F. It’s crucial that the oil is hot enough before adding the chicken.
- Fry the chicken in batches for about 4-5 minutes each or until golden brown and crispy.
- Use a spider strainer to transfer the fried chicken pieces to the cooling racks.
Nutritional Information
- Calories: 237 per serving
- Servings: 6
Prep Time:
- Total: 60 minutes (40 minutes prep, 20 minutes cooking)
Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just looking for a new twist on chicken, this Crispy Popcorn Chicken is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy the crunch!
Crispy Popcorn Chicken
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Dive into the ultimate comfort food with these Crispy Popcorn Chicken Bites. Perfectly seasoned and irresistibly crunchy, they’re a delightful treat for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a game night or just craving something delicious, these bites are sure to satisfy.
This recipe brings together simple ingredients and spices for a quick and easy meal that can be enjoyed by all.
Ingredients
¾ cup sour cream
¼ cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 ¼ lb. boneless skinless chicken breast, about 3 small chicken breasts
1.5 quarts vegetable oil, or 6 cups
Breading
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
1 ½ teaspoons seasoned salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
¾ teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder
½ teaspoon paprika
1 pinch cayenne
Instructions
Prep Work
Set cooling racks over a baking sheet to allow excess oil to drip from the chicken after frying, ensuring crispiness.
Using a meat mallet, gently tap the chicken to create a textured surface for better breading adhesion.
Pat the chicken dry and cut into bite-size pieces. In a large bowl, mix the sour cream, milk, and salt, then marinate the chicken for 30 minutes at room temperature (or up to 12 hours in the fridge, letting it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before frying).
Mix the breading ingredients in a wide container.
Bread the Chicken
Slide off excess marinade from the chicken using your fingers or the edge of the container. Transfer the chicken to the breading and coat thoroughly.
Set aside and repeat for all chicken pieces, re-coating any that appear moist.
Fry
Heat a pot of oil to 350-375° F. Ensure the oil is hot enough before adding chicken.
Fry the chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes each, until golden-brown. Use a spider strainer to transfer the chicken to the cooling racks.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 237 kcal