Popcorn Chicken
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
355 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Popcorn Chicken
Description
Popcorn Chicken uses cut chicken breast pieces coated first with seasoned flour, then dipped into a mixture of eggs, milk, and spices, and finally coated with crushed corn flakes for extra crunch. The multiple layers help create a crispy outer crust during cooking. The recipe allows for baking in the oven, air frying, or deep frying, providing flexibility in preparation methods. The resulting chicken pieces have a crispy, textured crust with a juicy interior. These bite-sized pieces make for easy finger food, suitable for sharing or casual meals.
This recipe yields about 40 pieces, with a serving size around 6-7 pieces. The chicken pieces can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance once coated in flour, refrigerated, then cooked later. Leftover cooked chicken can be frozen and reheated in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispness. When reheating from frozen, baking at 425°F or air frying briefly restores the crunchy texture. These practical tips help keep the chicken crisp and warm for later enjoyment.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 large breasts, boneless skinless
- 2 large egg
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 1/2 cups corn flakes lightly crushed, cereal
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Coat Chicken: Place chicken pieces in a bowl or ziplock bag and add flour, stirring or shaking to coat completely. Set aside.
- Add eggs, milk, salt and pepper, garlic powder and paprika to a bowl and stir to combine. Set aside. In another shallow bowl combine crushed cornflakes.
- Dip each piece of flour-coated chicken into the egg mixture, followed by the cornflakes, gently pressing the cornflake mixture into the chicken.
Cook in Oven, Air Fryer, or Deep-fry:
- To Bake. Place chicken on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Flip chicken and bake for another 5-8 minutes or until cooked through.
- To Air Fry: Spray the bottom of the fry basket with nonstick cooking spray and place half of the chicken pieces into a single layer in the basket. Generously spray the top of each piece of chicken with cooking spray. Air Fry at 360F for 3 minutes. Open air fryer, flip chicken pieces to the other side, and spray tops again with cooking spray. Increase air fryer temperature to 400F degrees and cook for 2-3 more minutes, or until crisp and cooked through.
- To Fry: Heat a few inches of vegetable oil in a pot. Once hot (350 degrees F), work in batches to lower the chicken into the oil and cook for 3-4 minutes, until cooked through. Remove to a paper towel lined plate.
- Serve warm with BBQ sauce, Hot Honey, ranch, Chick-fil-A sauce, honey mustard, or another favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- The recipe makes about 40 popcorn chicken pieces; serve about 6-7 per person.
- Pre-coat chicken in flour and refrigerate up to 24 hours before cooking to save time.
- Freeze cooked pieces on a baking sheet before transferring to a bag; store up to 3 months.
- Reheat frozen chicken in the oven at 425°F for 15 minutes or air fry for a few minutes for crispiness.
- When air frying fresh chicken, arrange in a single layer and spray with cooking spray to aid browning and crunch.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 355 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 355kcal | 18% |
| Carbohydrates | 34g | 11% |
| Protein | 38g | 76% |
| Fat | 6g | 9% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 0.02g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 160mg | 53% |
| Sodium | 550mg | 23% |
| Potassium | 662mg | 14% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 569IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 7% |
| Calcium | 35mg | 4% |
| Iron | 8mg | 44% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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