Ella Walter
Air fryer popcorn chicken is a quick, easy, and healthy alternative to fast-food versions. The bite-sized pieces of chicken are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, making them perfect for kids and adults alike. They can be served as a snack, appetizer, or main meal, and are versatile enough to be enjoyed with a variety of dips and sides. Making popcorn chicken in an air fryer is a simple process that yields delicious results, and it's a great option for those looking for a healthier way to enjoy this classic dish.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chicken | Boneless, skinless chicken breasts |
| Chicken size | Bite-sized pieces, about the size of a dice |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika |
| Coating | Flour, egg, breadcrumbs, cornflakes |
| Oil | Olive oil, cooking spray |
| Temperature | 390-400°F (200°C) |
| Cooking time | 5-14 minutes, flipping halfway |
| Serving suggestions | Healthy ranch dressing, ketchup, BBQ sauce, nacho cheese sauce, garlic sauce, tomato ketchup |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the fridge |
| Freezing | Freeze uncooked for best results, place in a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the chicken
Firstly, cut your chicken into small, bite-sized pieces. The pieces should be about the size of a dice. You can use chicken breast or chicken thighs, but ensure the meat is boneless and skinless.
Next, you will need to prepare your coating. There are a few different options for this. One is to use a simple flour and seasoning mix. Combine plain flour with salt and pepper on a plate. You can also add in some garlic powder and paprika if you like. Another option is to use crushed cornflakes for a crunchy texture. Dip the chicken pieces into a bowl of flour to coat them, then into a bowl of whisked egg, and finally into the crushed cornflakes, pressing the cornflakes onto the chicken.
If you want to create a thicker coating, you can dip the chicken into the egg and flour mixture twice. This is known as a double dredge and will give your chicken an extra crispy coating. After the second dredge, simply roll the chicken in the cornflakes as before.
Another popular option for a coating is to use breadcrumbs. Combine breadcrumbs with garlic, onion, and paprika on a plate. As with the cornflake coating method, coat the chicken pieces in flour, then dip them into a bowl of whisked egg, and finally coat them in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to ensure they stick.
Once all your chicken pieces are coated, they are ready to be cooked in your air fryer.
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Coating the chicken
To make popcorn chicken in an air fryer, you'll first need to cut the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces, about the size of a dice. You can use chicken breast or chicken thighs, but make sure to remove the skin and bones.
There are several ways to coat the chicken pieces, depending on the ingredients you have available and the level of crispiness you want to achieve.
One option is to use a flour and breadcrumb coating. To do this, you'll need to set up a breading station with three shallow bowls or plates. In the first bowl, combine all-purpose flour with salt and pepper. You can also add other dried herbs and spices to the flour if you want to enhance the flavour. In the second bowl, whisk an egg until it is well beaten. You can also add a little milk to the egg to make it go further. The third bowl should contain breadcrumbs. You can use plain or seasoned breadcrumbs, or get creative and use crushed cornflakes or panko for an extra-crispy texture.
Take each piece of chicken and coat it evenly in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off. Finally, coat it in the breadcrumbs, pressing them gently into the chicken to ensure they stick. Place the breaded chicken onto a plate and repeat this process until all the chicken pieces are coated.
Another option for coating the chicken is to use a batter made from a combination of eggs, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Simply dip the chicken pieces into the batter, then place them directly into the air fryer.
Freezing the chicken
If you want to make a big batch of chicken and freeze it for later, it's best to freeze the chicken uncooked. Place the breaded chicken onto a baking tray, making sure the pieces are not touching, and put it into the freezer. Once the chicken is frozen, transfer it to a freezer bag or container and store it for up to 3 months.
Cooking the chicken
When you're ready to cook the chicken, preheat your air fryer to between 375-400°F (about 200°C). Mist the basket of the air fryer with olive oil or non-stick spray, being careful not to use a spray oil as this can strip the coating. Place the chicken pieces into the basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping or touching. You may need to cook the chicken in batches. Generously mist the tops and sides of the chicken with more olive oil to help it get crispy.
Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes, then flip each piece over and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Serve your popcorn chicken warm with your favourite sauce, such as ketchup, BBQ sauce, or ranch dressing. Enjoy!
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Cooking the chicken
To cook popcorn chicken bites in an air fryer, start by cutting your chicken into bite-sized pieces. You can use chicken breasts or chicken thighs, but make sure to remove the skin and bones. The pieces should be about the size of a dice.
Next, prepare the coating. You can use a simple flour and egg mixture, or a combination of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs for a crispier texture. If you want to get creative, you can season the flour with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika. You can also use crushed cornflakes instead of breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy coating.
Once your chicken pieces are coated, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave space between each piece so they don't overlap and cook evenly. Spray the chicken generously with olive oil to help them get crispy.
Now, you're ready to air fry! Preheat your air fryer to between 375-400°F (200°C). The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken pieces and the model of your air fryer, but on average, it should take around 5-10 minutes. Be sure to shake or flip the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
Your popcorn chicken bites are ready when they are golden brown and crispy. Serve them warm with your favourite sauce, such as ketchup, BBQ sauce, or ranch dressing. Enjoy!
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Storing the chicken
Storing your popcorn chicken is a straightforward process, but there are a few important steps to follow to ensure your chicken stays fresh and tasty.
Firstly, it is important to note that you can store your chicken both before and after cooking. If you are storing your chicken before cooking, it is best to freeze it. Place the raw chicken pieces in a freezer-safe container, ensuring they are in a single layer and not stacked on top of each other. Add a layer of parchment or baking paper between each layer of chicken. Once the container is full, pop it in the freezer. This method will keep your chicken fresh for up to three months.
If you are storing leftover, cooked popcorn chicken, the process is slightly different. It is best to store the chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. Before placing the chicken in the fridge, ensure it has cooled down to room temperature. The chicken will stay fresh for up to three days.
Reheating your frozen, cooked chicken is simple. You can use an air fryer, the oven, or a microwave. If using an air fryer, heat it to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If using the oven, place the chicken on a baking sheet and heat at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 minutes.
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Reheating the chicken
If you have any leftover popcorn chicken, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three or four days. It will lose its crispiness, but you can get it crispy again by reheating it in the air fryer. It won't be as crispy as freshly cooked chicken, but it will still be delicious. You can also freeze cooked popcorn chicken for up to three months.
To reheat your chicken, first, preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F. Then, mist the basket insert with olive oil, making sure to coat all sides of the basket. Place the chicken in the basket, being careful not to overcrowd it—you may need to cook in batches. Mist the tops and sides of the chicken with olive oil, then close the lid and cook for 5-6 minutes. Flip the chicken bites halfway through to ensure they cook evenly.
If you are reheating frozen chicken, increase the temperature to 375 degrees F and cook for 7-9 minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
First, cut your chicken into bite-sized pieces. Next, coat the chicken in flour, then dip it into a whisked egg mixture, and finally, coat it in breadcrumbs. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure the pieces are not touching. Spray with olive oil and cook at 200°C for 5 minutes, shaking halfway through.
It takes about 5 minutes to cook popcorn chicken bites in an air fryer. However, you may need to cook the chicken in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
Allow the leftover popcorn chicken bites to cool, then place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. They will lose their crispiness when stored in the fridge, but you can rewarm them in the air fryer to make them crispy again.
