Air-Fryer Popcorn Chicken: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Popcorn chicken is a fun, bite-sized snack that's perfect for kids and adults alike. This Taiwanese street food sensation is typically deep-fried, but using an air fryer is a healthier alternative that's just as delicious. Making popcorn chicken in an air fryer is easy and only takes about 20 minutes. It's a great option for a quick snack, appetizer, or lunch and can be served with a variety of sauces.

Choosing the right chicken

Type of Chicken

Boneless and skinless chicken breasts are the most commonly used option for making popcorn chicken in an air fryer. They provide a good balance of flavour and texture, and their lean meat makes them ideal for bite-sized pieces. Chicken breasts are also easy to cut into uniform cubes, ensuring even cooking.

However, if you prefer darker meat or want to add extra flavour and moisture to your popcorn chicken, you can opt for boneless and skinless chicken thighs. Chicken thighs have a higher fat content, which can result in juicier and more flavourful bites. They also work well with the breading and seasoning typically used in popcorn chicken recipes.

Chicken Preparation

When choosing your chicken, look for pieces that are similar in size and shape. This is important because you want your popcorn chicken to cook evenly in the air fryer. Cut the chicken into bite-sized cubes, aiming for a uniform size of around 1 inch (2.54 cm) or slightly smaller. This ensures that the chicken cooks through without drying out and that you get perfectly sized popcorn chicken bites.

Chicken Quality

Always opt for high-quality, fresh chicken when making popcorn chicken. Look for chicken with a healthy pink hue and avoid any pieces with discolouration or an off-putting odour. Check the "best before" or "use by" dates to ensure you are using chicken that is within its recommended shelf life.

Quantity

Popcorn chicken recipes typically call for around 1 to 1.5 pounds (455 g to 680 g) of chicken. This amount is perfect for feeding a small crowd or enjoying as a family meal, resulting in about 30 to 60 bite-sized pieces. You can always adjust the quantity based on your needs, but keep in mind that you may need to work in batches when air frying to avoid overcrowding the basket.

Remember to handle the chicken safely by practising good hygiene and avoiding cross-contamination with other foods. Now that you've chosen the right chicken, you're well on your way to making delicious and crispy popcorn chicken in your air fryer!

Preparing the coating

Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

Start by preparing the dry ingredients for the coating. In a shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs with flour and seasonings. The specific measurements and types of breadcrumbs, flour, and seasonings may vary depending on your recipe, but here is a general idea:

• Use a combination of Panko breadcrumbs and regular breadcrumbs, or just Panko breadcrumbs.
• Add all-purpose flour.
• For seasonings, you can use salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, dried herbs like thyme, basil, oregano, or Italian seasoning blend.
• If you want spicy chicken, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
• For extra crunch, crush some cornflake cereal and mix it with the breadcrumbs.

Step 2: Prepare the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, prepare the wet ingredients for the coating. This typically involves creating an egg wash by whisking together eggs and milk. Some recipes also include additional ingredients in the egg wash:

• You can use any type of milk, including buttermilk, for extra tanginess.
• Add a teaspoon of Dijon mustard for a creamy, zesty flavor.
• For a tangier flavor, you can also add a pinch of salt and pepper to the egg wash.
• Whisk the wet ingredients together until they are well combined.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Once you have prepared the dry and wet ingredients, it's time to coat the chicken. Here is a general process, but the specific steps may vary depending on your recipe:

• Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes.
• Set up a dredging station with separate plates or bowls for the flour mixture, egg wash, and breadcrumb mixture.
• Take a piece of chicken and coat it first in the flour, shaking off any excess.
• Then, dip it into the egg wash, letting the excess drip off.
• Finally, coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the crumbs to ensure they adhere evenly.
• Repeat this process until all the chicken pieces are coated.

Now that your chicken is coated, it's almost ready for the air fryer! Just remember to preheat your air fryer, spray the basket with oil, and arrange the chicken in a single layer, making sure the pieces don't overlap. Then, follow the cooking instructions provided by your chosen recipe. Enjoy!

Cooking the chicken

Now that you have your dredging station set up, it's time to start cooking the chicken!

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your chicken.

Take a piece of chicken and dredge it in the flour, making sure to coat all sides. Then, dip it in the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the chicken in the seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing the crumbs onto the chicken to ensure they adhere evenly. Repeat this process until all your chicken pieces are coated.

Once your air fryer is preheated, spray the basket with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray. Place the chicken pieces into the basket, making sure they don't touch and leaving space between each piece. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches. Spray the tops of the chicken with oil.

Cook the chicken for 8-14 minutes, flipping halfway through and re-misting with oil. The chicken is done when it is no longer pink on the inside and the juices run clear. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165°F.

Once the chicken is cooked, serve it immediately with your choice of dipping sauce.

Storing and reheating

If you want to store your chicken, it's best to place it in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to three days.

You can also freeze your cooked popcorn chicken. Once the chicken bites have cooled, place them in a freezer bag or container and store them for up to three months. Defrost the chicken in the fridge before reheating.

To reheat your chicken, pop it back into the air fryer at 280°F for about seven minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat it in the oven or enjoy it cold.

Serving suggestions

Popcorn chicken is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course, a party appetiser, or a fun family dinner. It is also a great snack for game day. The mild flavour of the chicken pairs well with a variety of sauces, making it perfect for dipping. Some classic sauce options include ranch dressing, ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or buffalo sauce. For a more adventurous choice, you could try teriyaki sauce, chimichurri sauce, cheese sauce, avocado ranch, or chipotle mayo.

Popcorn chicken can also be served as part of a larger meal, such as in a KFC bowl with mashed potatoes, corn, and gravy. It can also be enjoyed cold over a couscous salad, in chicken wraps, or as a snack dipped in ranch dressing. For a more substantial meal, serve it with a side of beach bread and vegetables, such as a green salad, steamed broccoli, asparagus, or corn on the cob.

If you're looking for a lighter option, popcorn chicken can be served with a copycat Chick-Fil-A sauce, which is tangy and goes well with the crispy chicken. It can also be served with a side of steamed vegetables or a salad, such as a couscous salad.

For a more indulgent option, serve popcorn chicken with mac and cheese balls or chocolate chip cookies. You can also serve it with biscuits, or as part of a larger spread with mini corn dogs, pigs in a blanket, and Philly cheesesteak sliders.

Frequently asked questions