Air-Fryer Popcorn Chicken: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Popcorn chicken is a fun, snackable way to get your protein fix. It's also a great recipe to make if you're feeding a large crowd. It's an awesome game-day recipe and is perfect for both kids and adults. You can serve it with a variety of sauces for the perfect finish. The best part? It can be made in an air fryer!

Freezing and reheating

Firstly, it is important to note that you can freeze both cooked and uncooked popcorn chicken. If you are freezing cooked chicken, allow it to cool to room temperature, then place it on a baking sheet and into the freezer for about an hour, or until frozen solid. Transfer the chicken pieces to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

If you are freezing uncooked chicken, bread the chicken as per your chosen recipe, then place the raw, breaded chicken pieces on a baking sheet and into the freezer for about an hour, or until frozen solid. Transfer the chicken pieces to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

When it comes to reheating your popcorn chicken, the oven, air fryer, and stovetop are all viable options.

To reheat in the oven, preheat to 325°F and arrange the chicken on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes, or until heated through.

To reheat in an air fryer, spread the chicken into a single layer and air fry for 2-6 minutes, checking regularly to ensure the chicken doesn't burn.

To reheat on the stovetop, use a skillet with a bit of vegetable oil. Reheat the chicken gently, turning often until crispy.

It is not recommended to reheat your popcorn chicken in the microwave, as it will become soft and dry.

Dipping sauces

Popcorn chicken is a fun, snackable way to get your protein fix, and it's even better with a tasty dipping sauce! Here are some ideas for sauces to serve with your air-fried popcorn chicken:

• BBQ sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Honey mustard
• Buffalo sauce
• Teriyaki sauce
• Chimichurri sauce
• Cheese sauce
• Avocado ranch
• Chipotle mayo
• Ketchup
• Low-fat ranch dressing
• Marinara sauce
• Raising Cane's Dipping Sauce
• Buffalo Ranch Dressing
• Freddy's Fry Sauce

You can also make a simple 2-ingredient dip by mixing equal parts of barbecue sauce and mayonnaise, honey and yellow mustard, or ranch dressing and buffalo wing sauce.

Marinade

Marination is an important step in the preparation of popcorn chicken, as it infuses the meat with flavour and tenderness. The chicken pieces should be cut into small, bite-sized cubes before being placed in a large ziplock bag with the marinade. The ideal marination time is between 2 to 6 hours, but if you're in a hurry, 20 minutes will suffice.

There are many different marinade recipes to choose from, but they typically include a combination of milk or buttermilk, eggs, salt, pepper, and various spices. For a spicier kick, add some hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes to the mix.

• 2 cups almond milk
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground paprika
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons ground paprika
• Milk or buttermilk
• Eggs
• Salt
• Pepper
• Hot sauce (optional)
• Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes (for extra spice)
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Chili powder

After marinating, it's time to move on to the dredging and breading process, which will be covered in the next section.

Breading

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by cutting your boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Aim for a uniform size, such as 1-inch cubes, so that the chicken cooks evenly. Place the chicken pieces into a medium bowl.

Step 2: Marinade (Optional)

For more flavourful and tender chicken, you can prepare a marinade. In a separate bowl, combine the chicken with your choice of milk (regular, almond, or buttermilk), hot sauce, and a pinch of salt and pepper. You can also add the dry spices to the marinade, such as paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs. Mix well and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 6 hours.

Step 3: Prepare the Dredging Station

Set up three shallow bowls for the dredging process. In the first bowl, place all-purpose flour and a small amount of salt and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk an egg with a teaspoon of water (you can also use milk or buttermilk here). In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with the garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if you like it spicy), and any other dried spices you prefer. You can use plain breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs, or a combination of both.

Step 4: Coat the Chicken

Take each piece of chicken and coat it in the flour mixture first, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Finally, coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring all sides are evenly coated. Gently press the crumbs onto the chicken to help them adhere. Repeat this process for each piece of chicken.

Step 5: Second Coat (Optional)

For an extra crispy coating, you can repeat the dredging process by dipping the chicken back into the egg mixture and then the breadcrumbs again. This will give your popcorn chicken an extra crunchy texture.

Step 6: Prepare the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 390-400°F. Spray the basket of your air fryer with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 7: Cook the Chicken

Place the breaded chicken pieces into the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't touch. Generously spray or mist the tops of the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray. Air fry for about 10 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through and respraying with oil. The chicken is ready when it is golden brown and cooked through.

Tips:

• Don't crowd the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in batches if needed.
• Shake off any excess flour before placing the chicken in the air fryer to ensure even cooking.
• For a healthier option, toast the breadcrumbs in a little oil before coating the chicken to reduce the amount of oil needed during the air frying process.
• You can freeze any uncooked or cooked popcorn chicken for up to 3 months and reheat in the air fryer when needed.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for making popcorn chicken in an air fryer vary depending on the recipe and the model of the air fryer. However, on average, the cooking temperature ranges from 375°F to 400°F, and the cooking time ranges from 5 to 14 minutes.

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 390°F to 400°F. Preheating ensures that your chicken cooks faster and helps the breading get crispy. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, simply run the air fryer empty at the desired temperature for about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and any other desired spices.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

Set up a dredging station with flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. You can also add spices to the breadcrumbs for extra flavor. Dredge the chicken pieces in flour, coat them in the egg mixture, and then coat them in the breadcrumbs. Repeat this process for a double breading, which will result in crispier chicken.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil. Place the breaded chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, making sure they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Mist or spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray or olive oil.

Step 5: Air Fry the Chicken

Air fry the chicken at the preheated temperature for about 5 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer, shake the basket, and mist or spray the chicken again to ensure even cooking and crispiness. For some air fryers, you may need to flip the chicken pieces over. Continue air frying for another 4 to 9 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. The total cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the size of your chicken pieces.

Step 6: Check for Doneness

To ensure your popcorn chicken is cooked properly, check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature. Additionally, make sure the chicken is no longer pink on the inside and the juices run clear.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Serve your air fryer popcorn chicken with your favorite dipping sauces, such as BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, honey mustard, or ketchup. Enjoy the crispy and delicious treat!

Frequently asked questions