Air Fryer Tyson Popcorn Chicken: How Long?

If you're looking for a quick and easy meal, look no further than Tyson Popcorn Chicken cooked in an air fryer. This method of cooking the chicken is faster and healthier than deep frying, and the end result is just as crispy and delicious. You can also experiment with different sauces and seasonings to find your favourite flavour combinations.

Air fryer temperature and time

The air fryer temperature and time will depend on the brand of air fryer you are using, the quantity of chicken, and your desired level of crispiness.

Air fryer temperature

Most sources recommend setting your air fryer to 400°F to cook Tyson Popcorn Chicken. However, one source recommends 390°F, and another suggests 340°F.

Air fryer time

The cooking time will vary between 8 and 12 minutes. One source recommends cooking for 10 minutes, while another suggests 8 minutes is sufficient. If you want your chicken crispier, you can cook it for a couple of minutes longer, or at a higher temperature. It is recommended to shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

Other tips

You may also want to flip the chicken halfway through cooking for more even results. It is not necessary to preheat your air fryer, but you may want to spray the chicken with cooking spray or olive oil to make it crispier.

How to prepare the chicken

Preparing Tyson popcorn chicken in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, remove the popcorn chicken from the freezer. For best results, it is recommended to cook a half bag of chicken at a time to ensure even cooking. Place the desired amount of chicken bites into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer. You can spray the chicken with cooking spray, such as avocado or olive oil spray, for extra crispness.

Set your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will vary depending on your desired level of crispness, but on average, the chicken will take around 8-12 minutes to cook. Be sure to shake the basket halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

While the chicken is cooking, you can prepare a dipping sauce. A simple sauce can be made by mixing together mayonnaise and BBQ sauce in a small bowl.

Once the chicken is crispy and has an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it is ready to be served. Enjoy your tasty and crispy popcorn chicken!

Some additional tips:

• You can sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder on the chicken before cooking for extra flavor, but use sparingly to avoid oversalting.
• If you want crispier chicken, you can cook it at a higher temperature for the last few minutes of cooking.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week and reheated in the air fryer at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 minutes.

Dipping sauces

To make Tyson popcorn chicken in an air fryer, set the temperature to 400°F and cook for 8-12 minutes. You can also cook it at 170°C/340°F for 8 minutes, and then for a further 2 minutes at 200°C/400°F for extra crispiness. Shake the basket once during cooking to ensure even cooking.

Now, onto the dipping sauces. Here are some ideas for sauces to accompany your air-fried Tyson popcorn chicken:

Barbecue Sauce & Mayo

A classic combination, the tanginess of barbecue sauce is perfectly complemented by the creaminess of mayonnaise. You can either buy your favourite barbecue sauce or make your own. There are plenty of recipes online for homemade barbecue sauce, which typically include ingredients such as ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and various spices.

Ranch & Buffalo Wing Sauce

Ranch dressing is a popular choice for dipping sauces, and when paired with buffalo wing sauce, it adds a tangy kick. You can make your own ranch dressing by combining buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, and various herbs and spices such as parsley, dill, and garlic powder.

Honey & Yellow Mustard

This combination offers a balance of sweet and tangy flavours. Honey is a natural sweetener that pairs well with the sharpness of mustard. You can adjust the ratio of honey to mustard to suit your taste preferences.

Raising Cane's Dipping Sauce

This sauce is specifically mentioned as a favourite for popcorn chicken. While the exact recipe is not publicly available, you can find similar sauces or make your own by experimenting with different ingredients such as mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, and various spices.

Buffalo Ranch Dressing

Another variation on ranch dressing, this sauce adds a kick of spice from the buffalo sauce. You can adjust the ratio of ranch to buffalo sauce to control the spiciness to your liking.

Freddy's Fry Sauce

This sauce is likely similar to a fry sauce or "secret sauce" that you might find at fast-food restaurants. It typically includes a combination of ketchup, mayonnaise, relish, and various spices. You can make your own version by experimenting with these ingredients to create a unique dipping sauce.

Storing leftovers

When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, you can reheat the chicken in the air fryer at 300°F for about four minutes or in the microwave until heated through.

Reheating chicken

Firstly, it is important to note that you can reheat any kind of frozen chicken in an air fryer. If you are reheating chicken that has already been cooked in an air fryer, you can simply place it back in the air fryer and follow the same instructions as before. For example, if you are reheating Tyson Popcorn Chicken, place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

If you are reheating chicken that has been cooked in an oven, you can also use an air fryer. The process is similar, but the cooking time may vary. Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the chicken for 2 minutes, or until heated through.

It is important to ensure that your chicken is thoroughly cooked before consuming it. A reliable kitchen thermometer can be used to check the internal temperature of the chicken, which should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Some additional tips for reheating chicken in an air fryer include:

• Using tongs to remove and flip the chicken to avoid burning yourself
• Sprinkling on some garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder for extra flavor, but be careful not to add too much to avoid making the chicken too salty
• Storing leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days

Frequently asked questions