Cody Casey
Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken is a quick and easy snack or lunch option that is healthier than its deep-fried counterpart. It is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults and is perfect for a hungry crowd or as an after-school snack. The chicken is cut into bite-sized pieces, seasoned with herbs and spices, and cooked in an air fryer until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This recipe is a great way to enjoy fried chicken without the guilt of deep frying and can be served with a variety of dipping sauces.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Chicken Popcorn
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Chicken | Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs |
| Chicken Size | 2-inch bite-sized pieces |
| Marinade | Soy Sauce, Grated Ginger, Grated Garlic, White Pepper, Shaoxing Wine, Egg White |
| Seasoning | Five Spice Powder, White Pepper, Salt, Sugar |
| Oil | Avocado Oil, Peanut Oil, Canola Oil, Vegetable Oil Spray, Olive Oil Spray |
| Cooking Time | 5-10 minutes at 350-400°F |
| Shaking | Shake the basket halfway through |
| Serving | 3 oz |
| Calories | 170-180 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 14-21 g |
| Protein | 14-30 g |
| Fat | 7-8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1-1.5 g |
| Cholesterol | 25-129 mg |
| Sodium | 385-600 mg |
| Fiber | 1.5-2 g |
| Sugar | 1-2 g |
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What You'll Learn
How to season chicken for popcorn chicken
Popcorn chicken is a dish of bite-sized chunks of chicken that are deep-fried. The small size of the chicken pieces means they can easily dry out during cooking, so it's important to season and tenderize the meat before frying.
One popular method for seasoning popcorn chicken is to marinate the chicken in buttermilk or yogurt. This helps to tenderize the meat and prevents it from drying out. It also adds some flavour to the chicken, with the buttermilk adding a hint of saltiness. You can also add a small amount of lemon juice to the marinade to enhance the flavour.
After marinating, the chicken is typically coated in a flour mixture. This mixture usually includes flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Some recipes also add red chilli powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, and onion powder to the flour mixture for extra flavour. The chicken pieces are then dipped in beaten egg, and coated in the flour mixture again.
Finally, the chicken is coated in breadcrumbs or panko crumbs. These crumbs give the chicken a crispy texture when fried. Some recipes suggest toasting the panko crumbs in a little oil before coating the chicken, to ensure a crunchy texture.
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How to prepare the air fryer for cooking chicken
Preparing your air fryer for cooking chicken is a simple process, but there are a few key steps to follow to ensure the best results. Firstly, it is important to preheat your air fryer. Set it to the temperature you will be cooking at, usually around 400°F for chicken popcorn. Most air fryers will only need a few minutes to preheat, and this step will ensure your food cooks evenly and efficiently.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your chicken. Cut the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces, about 3/4-inch cubes. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, or other herbs and spices, to taste. You can also prepare a dredging station with flour, egg, and seasoned panko crumbs to coat your chicken pieces before air frying, which will help achieve a crispy texture.
Once your chicken is prepared and your air fryer is preheated, it's time to prepare the air fryer basket. Lightly coat the basket with an oil spray or brush to prevent sticking. You can skip this step if you are reheating cooked chicken. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded or overlapping, so they cook evenly and get crispy.
Finally, set the air fryer to cook for the desired time, usually around 5-8 minutes for chicken popcorn, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. With these steps, your air fryer will be ready to cook your chicken to perfection!
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How long to cook chicken popcorn in an air fryer
The cooking time for chicken popcorn in an air fryer varies depending on the quantity of chicken, the temperature, and the desired crispiness. Here is a step-by-step guide on how long to cook chicken popcorn in an air fryer:
Firstly, prepare your chicken by cutting it into small, bite-sized pieces. It is recommended to opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs as they are juicier and more flavorful. Cut the chicken into uniform, 2-inch pieces to ensure even cooking.
Next, season and marinate your chicken. You can use a variety of seasonings and marinades, such as soy sauce, grated ginger, garlic, white pepper, Shaoxing wine, and egg white. Mix your chosen ingredients and coat the chicken pieces evenly. For the best results, marinate the chicken in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours.
Now, you can prepare your air fryer basket. Place a single layer of chicken pieces in the basket, making sure they do not overlap. Spray the chicken with cooking spray or a neutral oil, such as avocado or vegetable oil. If you are cooking a large quantity of chicken, you may need to cook in batches to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. The preheating time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so refer to the manufacturer's instructions. Once preheated, place the basket inside and set the timer.
For cooking frozen chicken popcorn, cook for about 10 minutes at 400°F, shaking the basket halfway through. If you are cooking fresh chicken, start with 4 minutes, then shake the basket and spray the chicken again if needed. Continue cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the chicken should reach 165°F to ensure it is fully cooked.
Finally, serve your chicken popcorn hot with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy!
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How to store and reheat chicken popcorn
To store your chicken popcorn, first let the cooked popcorn chicken cool down to room temperature. Then, place the leftover chicken in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it. To do this, spread the cooled chicken pieces on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer the chicken to a freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
To reheat your chicken popcorn and keep it crispy, preheat your oven to 375-425°F. Place the frozen or defrosted chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes (or 20-25 minutes if baking from frozen), turning them halfway through. You can also reheat the chicken in an air fryer, though the temperature and time may vary depending on your model. If you want to add some extra crispness, you can spritz the chicken with a little oil before reheating.
If you have breaded your chicken but not yet cooked it, you can freeze it before cooking for up to two months. When you're ready to cook, simply add the breaded frozen chicken directly to the hot oil for frying.
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How to make chicken popcorn crispy
Popcorn chicken is a dish of bite-sized, crispy chicken chunks. The small size of the chicken pieces means that they cook quickly and are perfect for air-frying.
To make the crispiest chicken popcorn, you can use a combination of flour, breadcrumbs, and eggs. Firstly, cut the chicken into small, even-sized cubes. You can then season the chicken with a variety of spices, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. For extra crispy chicken, you can try adding a marinade to the flour mixture, creating little clumps of flour that will become extra crispy when fried. Next, dredge the chicken pieces in flour and dip them into beaten egg before pressing them into the flour mixture again for a final coating.
When air-frying, preheat your air fryer to 400°F and spray the basket with oil. Place the chicken pieces in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece so they crisp up. For 30 pieces of chicken, cook for 5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If you are cooking from frozen, increase the cooking time to 8 minutes, and the chicken should be placed straight into the air fryer from the freezer without being defrosted. For an extra crispy texture, you can toast the breadcrumbs in a little oil before coating the chicken.
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Frequently asked questions
First, cut the chicken into 2-inch bite-sized pieces. Marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, grated ginger, grated garlic, white pepper, Shaoxing wine, and an egg white for at least 30 minutes. Bread the chicken with flour, egg, and seasoned panko crumbs. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray with oil. Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Store leftover chicken popcorn in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. To reheat, place the chicken in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-6 minutes.
Chicken popcorn is a versatile dish that can be served as a snack, appetizer, or lunch. It can be served with a dipping sauce such as BBQ sauce or ranch dressing, or added to a salad.
