Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken: The Perfect Crunchy Treat

Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken is a quick, easy, and healthy way to make a delicious snack or meal. Requiring minimal preparation, this recipe is perfect for beginners and can be made with simple ingredients. The chicken is cut into bite-sized pieces, seasoned, and coated in a breadcrumb mixture before being air-fried to crispy perfection. The result is juicy, tender, and crunchy chicken bites that can be paired with various sauces and dips. With an air fryer, you can enjoy the convenience and taste of fried chicken without the excess grease and oil. So, get your air fryer ready and let's make some popcorn chicken!

Choosing your chicken

Once you've chosen your chicken, cut it into bite-sized pieces. The size of the pieces is important as you want them to be small enough to cook through quickly in the air fryer, but not so small that they dry out. Aim for pieces that are about 1 inch in size.

If you're using chicken breasts, try to get ones that are similar in size so that they cook evenly. You can also pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness if you want to ensure they cook uniformly.

Before coating and cooking the chicken, it's a good idea to season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, or a blend of your favourite spices and herbs. This adds flavour to the chicken and can be done to suit your taste preferences.

Now you're ready to start the coating process! First, dredge the chicken pieces in a mixture of flour and seasonings. Then, dip them into an egg wash, and finally, coat them with breadcrumbs. You can use regular breadcrumbs or panko, which are larger and give a crunchier texture.

Follow these steps, and you'll be on your way to making delicious air fryer popcorn chicken!

Preparing the coating

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

Start by preparing your dry ingredients, which will be used to coat the chicken pieces. In a shallow dish or a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients such as flour, breadcrumbs or panko, and seasonings. The specific measurements and types of flour and breadcrumbs can vary depending on the recipe, but a common combination includes all-purpose flour, panko breadcrumbs, and a variety of seasonings. You can also add in spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to enhance the flavour. Mix all the dry ingredients together until they are well distributed and combined.

Step 2: Prepare the Wet Ingredients

In a separate medium-sized bowl, prepare the wet ingredients that will be used to help the dry coating adhere to the chicken. This typically includes eggs, milk, or buttermilk. You can also add other ingredients like Dijon mustard or hot sauce to this mixture for additional flavour. Whisk the wet ingredients together until they are well combined and homogeneous.

Step 3: Season the Chicken

Before coating the chicken, it's a good idea to season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, or other seasonings of your choice. You can also experiment with marinating the chicken in a separate mixture of spices and herbs before coating, which will infuse the meat with flavour. However, this step is optional and may add to the preparation time.

Step 4: Coat the Chicken

Now, you can begin the coating process. Take a piece of chicken and dip it first in the flour mixture, making sure to fully coat all sides and shaking off any excess. Then, dip the chicken in the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the chicken in the breadcrumb or panko mixture, pressing the coating onto the chicken to ensure it adheres evenly. Repeat this process until all your chicken pieces are coated.

Step 5: Prepare the Air Fryer

Once your chicken pieces are coated, it's time to prepare your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, which is typically around 390-400°F (200°C). Spray the basket of the air fryer with olive oil or a neutral oil spray to prevent sticking and ensure a crispy texture.

Step 6: Arrange the Chicken in the Air Fryer

Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping and leaving space between each piece. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches. Lightly spray or mist the tops of the chicken pieces with oil to help achieve a crispy texture.

Now, your coated chicken is ready to be air-fried! Follow the recommended cooking times and temperatures for your specific air fryer, and enjoy your delicious, crispy air fryer popcorn chicken.

Dipping the chicken

Firstly, prepare your dredging station by setting up three separate dishes. In the first dish, combine all-purpose flour with salt and any other desired spices. The second dish should contain an egg wash, which is made by whisking together eggs and milk, and any additional ingredients like hot sauce or Dijon mustard. The final dish will hold the breadcrumb coating; combine panko breadcrumbs with garlic powder and onion powder, and other seasonings of your choice. You can also toast the panko crumbs in a little oil beforehand for a crispier texture.

Now you are ready to start dipping! Take a piece of chicken and coat it evenly in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the egg wash, allowing the excess to drip off. Finally, coat the chicken thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing down so that the breadcrumbs adhere well to the chicken. Repeat this process for each piece of chicken until they are all evenly coated.

Once all the chicken pieces are ready, it's time to arrange them in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave some space between each piece to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches. Generously spray or mist the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray to help achieve that crispy texture.

Now you're ready to air fry your perfectly dipped popcorn chicken! Follow the cooking instructions provided by your air fryer, typically cooking at a temperature between 390-400°F for 8-14 minutes, flipping the chicken and respraying with oil halfway through. Your chicken is ready when it is golden brown and cooked through.

Feel free to experiment with different spices and seasonings in your breadcrumb coating to create your own unique flavor profile. Enjoy your delicious air fryer popcorn chicken as an appetizer or a fun family dinner, paired with your favorite dipping sauces!

Cooking the chicken

Now that you've prepared your dredging station and coated your chicken pieces, it's time to cook your popcorn chicken in the air fryer!

Preheat your air fryer to between 390°F and 400°F. Spray the basket with olive oil or a neutral oil spray. Place the chicken pieces into the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping or touching. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Cook the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes, then shake the basket or flip the chicken pieces. Mist or spray the chicken with oil and continue cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. The chicken is done when it is no longer pink on the inside and the juices run clear. For food safety, use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165°F.

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer with tongs and serve immediately. Enjoy your crispy and juicy popcorn chicken!

Tips for Cooking the Chicken

• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.
• Generously mist or spray the chicken with oil to achieve a crispy texture and prevent raw flour spots.
• Flip or toss the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and browning.
• Use a kitchen thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F, indicating it is thoroughly cooked.

Storing and reheating

If you want to freeze your popcorn chicken, it's best to do so uncooked. Place the chicken pieces in an even layer (not stacked) in a freezer-safe container, lined with parchment paper, adding a new piece of parchment to each layer. It can be stored like this for up to three months.

When you're ready to eat, you can reheat your chicken in the air fryer, oven, microwave, or by refrying. For the air fryer, preheat to 375°F, place the chicken pieces in the basket, ensuring they're not overcrowded, and heat for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. For the oven, preheat to 400°F, place the chicken on a baking sheet, and bake for 10-13 minutes. If you're refrying, pat the chicken with paper towels to remove moisture, recoat with seasoning, and fry in a pan at medium-low temperature for 3-4 minutes. For the microwave, place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate, ensuring the pieces aren't overcrowded, and heat for 1.5-3 minutes, depending on how much chicken you're reheating.

Frequently asked questions