Popcorn Chicken Crispy, Juicy, Homemade Snack Bites

Make crispy, juicy Popcorn Chicken at home! Perfect bite-sized chicken nuggets with a crunchy coating, great for snacks, parties, or quick meals. Popcorn Chicken is a deliciously crispy, bite-sized snack that’s perfect for satisfying your chicken cravings. These juicy chicken pieces are coated in a flavorful, crunchy batter and fried to golden perfection, making them ideal for parties, casual snacking, or quick meals. Easy to prepare and loved by kids and adults alike, homemade popcorn chicken lets you control the seasoning and crunch, delivering the perfect balance of taste and texture every time. You will be seeing a lot of chicken recipes this month.

I ended October with this delicious Teriyaki Baked Chicken and I wanted more chicken! And more chicken you shall get! Before we get started on the recipe here's a bit of history about the Popcorn Chicken. Popcorn Chicken was invented by food technologist Gene Gagliardi, a KFC product consisting of small, "bite-sized" pieces of chicken that have been breaded and fried. It was test-marketed in the United States from March 1992, and had been launched nationwide by September 1992. It has been periodically available in KFC outlets. It was re-introduced in the US in 1998, and again in 2001. It was later re-introduced in 2015, under the name "KFC Popcorn Nuggets". The product is targeted at teenagers and young adults, young or old, you will find yourself nibbling at these delicious crunchy biting that just melt in your mouth! I had always wanted to cook these scrumptious bites but kept postponing, why? I have no idea. Now I'm like, where have you been all my life? Delicious, spicy, crunchy, what more would you want in a chicken dish?

INGREDIENTS

1 Packet chicken breast
2 Tablespoons Corn Flour
1 Egg
1 Cup Breadcrumbs
Salt
3/4 Tablespoon Ginger Garlic Paste
1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
3/4 Teaspoon Paprika
1 Teaspoon Garam Marsala
Vegetable Oil for frying
1 Tablespoon Black Pepper

METHOD
Add garam masala to bowl

 Add ginger powder

 Add paprika

 Add black pepper

Mix spices until combined

Add corn flour

Add the bite size cut chicken pieces

Make sure every chicken piece is well coated with the spice mixture

Add in the beaten egg

The mixture will be quite wet at this stage

Pour in the bread crumbs

Coat well on every pieces that it is well covered

Set aside for 30 minutes so that the breadcrumbs can adhere well on the chicken pieces

Heat oil and drop the chicken pieces a few at a time, do not crowd the chicken pieces as the breadcrumbs may start to fall of the chicken pieces

Fry in batches until golden brown

Set the popcorn chicken on plate with paper towel to drain off excess oil as you finish all the chicken pieces

You can dip the popcorn chicken in ketchup

Or mustard sauce

Or eat with a creamy coleslaw salad

The crunchiest chicken bites you will ever taste. Crispy crunchy on the outside but soft, warm and fluffy on the inside

These popcorn chicken have become my latest snacking obsession,look forward to more of them

POPCORN CHICKEN

Recipe by Mulunga Alukwe

Prep time: 15 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 35 Minutes
Yield: 2 Servings
Ingredients

• 1 Packet Chicken Breasts
• 2 Tablespoons Corn Flour
• 1 Egg
• 1 Cup Breadcrumbs
• Pinch Salt
• 3/4 Tablespoon Ginger Garlic Paste
• 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 3/4 Teaspoon Paprika
• 1 Teaspoon Garam Marsala
• 2 Cups Vegetable Oil
• 1 Tablespoon Black Pepper

Cooking Directions

1. Add garam marsala, ginger powder, paprika, black pepper, corn flour and salt in bowl
2. Add cubed chicken breasts into the spices and coat well, add the beaten egg mix until evenly coated. Add breadcrumbs and make sure every chicken breast is coated evenly well. Set aside for 30 minutes so that the breadcrumbs can adhere well on the chicken pieces
3. Heat oil and drop the chicken pieces a few at a time, do not crowd the chicken pieces as the breadcrumbs may start to fall of the chicken pieces
4. Fry in batches until golden brown. Set the popcorn chicken on plate with paper towel to drain off excess oil as you finish all the chicken pieces
5. Serve with dipping sauce of your choice

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FAQs: Popcorn Chicken

Popcorn Chicken refers to small, bite-sized pieces of chicken that are breaded and deep-fried until golden and crispy. It’s a popular snack or appetizer known for its crunchy texture and flavorful coating. The chicken pieces are often marinated or seasoned before breading, giving them a savory and sometimes spicy kick.

You can prepare Popcorn Chicken using different types of breading—panko, crushed cornflakes, or traditional flour mixtures—to achieve various textures. It’s also possible to bake or air-fry these pieces for a healthier alternative without sacrificing crispiness.

Popcorn Chicken is typically served with dipping sauces such as honey mustard, barbecue, or ranch dressing, enhancing the overall flavor. It is a favorite for parties, kids’ meals, or casual snacking.

For best results, eat the popcorn chicken fresh and hot, as they tend to lose their crispiness when cooled. Leftovers can be reheated in an oven or air fryer to restore some crunch.

Printable-Style Nutrition Card (Per 100g serving, approx.)

Nutrient	Amount	Notes
Calories	~290–350 kcal	Depending on frying oil and breading
Carbohydrates	~15–25 g	From breading
Sugars	~0–2 g	Minimal
Protein	~20–25 g	From chicken
Fat	~15–20 g	Includes frying oil fat
Saturated Fat	~3–5 g	Depends on oil type
Fiber	~1–2 g	From breading
Sodium	~400–600 mg	Depending on seasoning

Note: Baking or air frying reduces fat content significantly.

Dietary Information Table

Diet Type	Suitable?	Notes
Vegetarian	❌ No	Contains chicken
Vegan	❌ No	Contains animal protein
Gluten-Free	⚠️ Possibly	Use gluten-free breading to make it gluten-free
Nut-Free	✅ Yes	No nuts typically used
Dairy-Free	⚠️ Possibly	Check if milk or buttermilk used in marinade/breading
Keto-Friendly	❌ No	High in carbs from breading
Paleo-Friendly	❌ No	Breaded and fried, not paleo-compliant
Whole30	❌ No	Contains breading and possibly non-compliant oils

Helpful Tip: For a healthier version, try air frying with gluten-free panko crumbs and seasonings. Please note that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used. For precise nutritional information, consider using a nutrition calculator with exact ingredient measurements.