Popcorn Chicken (Printable)

Juicy bite-sized chicken pieces with golden crispy coating

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh, cut into ¾ inch pieces

→ Marinade

02 - ½ cup buttermilk
03 - 1 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tsp onion powder
05 - ½ tsp paprika
06 - ½ tsp salt
07 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper

→ Breading

08 - 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
09 - ½ cup cornstarch
10 - 1 tsp baking powder
11 - 1 tsp paprika
12 - 1 tsp salt
13 - ½ tsp cayenne pepper
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Frying

15 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying

# How-To:

01 - Combine chicken pieces with buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly, cover, and marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours refrigerated.
02 - Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, paprika, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in a large bowl until fully incorporated.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Toss pieces in flour mixture until thoroughly coated. For extra crunch, dip coated chicken back into buttermilk and re-coat with flour mixture.
05 - Fry chicken in batches without overcrowding for 3–4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through completely.
06 - Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack or paper towels. Serve immediately with preferred dipping sauces.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The double coating technique creates that shatteringly crispy exterior that stays crunchy even after cooling down
  • Buttermilk makes the chicken impossibly tender while adding a subtle tang that pairs beautifully with the spiced breading
  • Everything comes together in just 35 minutes but tastes like it came from a restaurant kitchen
02 -
  • Crowding the pan drops the oil temperature dramatically and makes the coating soggy instead of crispy
  • The double coating trick transforms good popcorn chicken into great popcorn chicken, do not skip it
  • Letting the chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels helps maintain that crunch
03 -
  • Pat the chicken slightly dry before the first flour coating to help the breading adhere better
  • Let the coated chicken sit for 5 minutes before frying to set the coating
  • Season immediately after frying while the surface is still hot for maximum flavor impact
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