Air Fryer Frozen Popcorn Chicken: Quick, Easy, Crispy!

Popcorn chicken is a fun, bite-sized snack that can be made in an air fryer with minimal prep and cooking time. It's a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken, and can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as BBQ sauce, ranch, or honey mustard. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make frozen popcorn chicken in an air fryer, including tips for the best results.

How to season frozen popcorn chicken

Seasoning is a key step in making delicious popcorn chicken. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure your frozen popcorn chicken is packed with flavour:

Choosing your seasonings

The beauty of popcorn chicken is that you can get creative with the seasonings and customise the flavours to your liking. A basic blend might include garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. For a kick of heat, add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. You can also experiment with different spices like smoked paprika, oregano, basil, or mustard powder. Don't be afraid to mix and match to find your perfect combination.

Preparing the chicken

Start by cutting your chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Try to make the pieces as evenly sized as possible to ensure consistent cooking and texture. Then, prepare a marinade by combining the chicken pieces with buttermilk and a pinch of salt. Let the chicken marinate for at least 10 minutes, or up to 30 minutes if you have the time. This step helps to tenderise the meat and infuse it with flavour.

Breading the chicken

In a separate bowl, mix together your chosen seasonings with flour (all-purpose flour or cornflour). You can also add baking powder to the mixture for extra crispiness. Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip off. Toss the chicken in the seasoned flour mixture until evenly coated. For an even thicker coating, you can dip the chicken back into the marinade and then give it a second coating of the flour mixture.

Cooking and serving

If you're using an air fryer, preheat it to around 375°F. Place the breaded chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. You may need to cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding. Lightly spray or brush the chicken with oil, and then air fry for about 10 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through. Serve your crispy, golden popcorn chicken with your favourite dipping sauces, such as barbecue sauce, ranch, honey mustard, or sweet and sour sauce.

How to cook frozen popcorn chicken in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Your favourite brand of frozen popcorn chicken
• Your favourite dipping sauce (optional)
• Cooking spray (optional)

Utensils

• Air fryer
• Air fryer basket

Method

Place the frozen popcorn chicken into the air fryer basket. No need to defrost the chicken first, simply take it straight from the freezer.

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.

Spread the chicken out in the basket, ensuring there is space around each piece. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.

Cook for 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If you prefer your chicken extra crispy, simply cook for a few minutes longer.

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and serve with your favourite dipping sauce. We recommend plum or sweet and sour sauce!

How to serve frozen popcorn chicken

To serve frozen popcorn chicken, you'll first need to cook it in an air fryer. Place the frozen popcorn chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook at 390-400°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If you want the chicken to be extra crispy, you can cook it for a little longer.

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the air fryer and serve with your choice of dipping sauce. Some popular options include BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, honey mustard, plum sauce, and sweet and sour sauce.

You can serve popcorn chicken as a snack, appetizer, or part of a larger meal. Here are some ideas for how to serve it:

• On top of a green salad with honey mustard or ranch dressing
• As a sandwich/sub filling with lettuce, tomato, and mayo
• Kabob-style with mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, and basil
• With chicken and waffles
• As a game-day snack with various dips

How to store and reheat frozen popcorn chicken

Popcorn chicken is a fun, snackable way to get your protein fix. It's also easy to freeze and perfect to pull out when you need a quick snack, appetiser, or lunch.

Storing Frozen Popcorn Chicken

For best results, freeze popcorn chicken uncooked. Place the chicken pieces in a freezer-safe container lined with parchment, adding a new piece of parchment to each layer. When you're ready to cook, heat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray the basket with oil, then add 30 pieces in an even layer. Cook for 8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cook time.

Reheating Frozen Popcorn Chicken

If you're using an air fryer, spread the chicken into a single layer in the basket. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until warmed and crisp. You can also reheat in the oven. Set the oven to 325 degrees F and bake for about 10 minutes on a lightly greased baking rack or baking sheet.

If you're short on time, you can use the microwave, but the chicken will lose its crispy exterior. Simply transfer the chicken to a microwave-safe plate and cook until warmed.

Reheating Tips

• If you're using a toaster oven, put it on 350 for 10 minutes.
• If you're reheating on a stovetop, use a skillet with a bit of vegetable oil. Gently reheat the chicken.
• If you're using a tray-style air fryer, you can put the chicken under the broiler. Keep an eye on it and turn it often until it's crispy.
• If you have a convection toaster oven, this can help prevent the problem of uneven heating.
• If you have a counter-top toaster oven, it's a great way to quickly reheat leftovers.

How to make a dipping sauce for frozen popcorn chicken

Making a dipping sauce for frozen popcorn chicken is easy and only requires a few simple ingredients. Here's a recipe for a delicious sauce that pairs perfectly with your favourite frozen popcorn chicken:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Cholula hot sauce (or your preferred hot sauce)
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

• In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and ketchup until fully combined.
• Add the remaining ingredients, mixing them in gradually and adjusting the taste to your preference.
• Serve the sauce in a shallow bowl alongside your freshly cooked frozen popcorn chicken.

Tips:

• You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less hot sauce to suit your taste.
• Don't add too much Worcestershire sauce as it has a strong flavour and can overpower the other ingredients.
• This sauce can also be used as a marinade for boneless, skinless chicken breasts before grilling.
• Get creative and experiment with different mix-ins like barbecue sauce, yellow mustard, or honey mustard.

Frequently asked questions