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–+ servings

Popcorn Chicken

Our easy Popcorn Chicken recipe is healthier than store-bought but still deliciously crispy and crunchy, and juicy on the inside. Cooked it in the oven, air fryer, or deep-fry.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 large breasts)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 1/2 cups corn flakes cereal lightly crushed
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika

Instructions
 

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

Yield: Makes about 40 pieces. Serving Size: about 6-7 pieces.
Make Ahead Instructions: Cut the chicken into pieces and coat in flour. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before continuing recipe.
To Reheat Popcorn Chicken:
  • Air Fryer: Spread into a single layer and air fry for 2-3 minutes, or until crispy and warm.
  • Oven: Preheat oven to 325°F then arrange chicken on a lightly greased baking sheet. Cook for 10 minutes, or until hot and crispy.
Freezing Instructions: Allow chicken to cool to room temperature, then space the chicken out on a baking sheet that will fit into the freezer. Keep chicken in freezer for about 1 hour or until mostly frozen, then transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, place frozen popcorn chicken on a baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees F for about 15 minutes or until heated through.
Keyword fried chicken, popcorn chicken
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