This crispy popcorn chicken recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in just 35 minutes. Golden-brown, bite-sized pieces of tender chicken pack 29g of protein per serving while staying remarkably light at only 266 calories.
Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or party appetizers, these irresistible morsels feature a perfectly seasoned coating that provides the ideal crunch-to-meat ratio. Plus, with just 5g of fat per serving, you can enjoy this family favorite guilt-free.
Ingredient Section
- Chicken: 2 pounds boneless skinless breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
- Eggs & Milk: 2 large eggs and ¼ cup milk for the perfect coating mixture
- Flour: 1 cup all-purpose flour for the initial coating
- Cornflakes: 4½ cups, lightly crushed for that extra crispy exterior
- Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika for enhanced flavor
Instructions Section
- Flour Coating: Toss chicken pieces with flour until completely coated
- Egg Mixture: Whisk together eggs, milk, and all seasonings in a bowl until well combined
- Cornflake Prep: Place crushed cornflakes in a separate shallow bowl
- Coating Process: Dip flour-coated chicken in egg mixture, then roll in cornflakes, pressing gently
- Cooking Options:
– Baking: 400°F for 17-18 minutes, flipping halfway
– Frying: Cook in hot oil for 3-4 minutes until golden
– Air Frying: 360°F for 3 minutes, then 400°F for 2-3 minutes after flipping - Serving: Enjoy warm with your favorite dipping sauce like BBQ, ranch, or honey mustard
Three Ways to Cook
This popcorn chicken recipe gives you amazing results whether you bake, fry, or air fry! Baking offers a healthier option with less mess. Deep frying creates that classic crispy coating everyone loves. The air fryer splits the difference – you get extra crunch with minimal oil. Pick the method that works best for you – they’re all fantastic!
Make It Your Own
Want to switch things up? Try these tasty changes:
- Swap cornflakes for panko breadcrumbs for a different kind of crunch
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the seasonings for a spicy kick
- Use chicken thighs instead of breast meat for extra flavor
- Make it gluten-free by using GF flour and checking your cornflake brand The basic recipe is great, but these little tweaks can make it even more special for your family!
Dips and Sides
These crispy bites taste amazing with all sorts of dips! Try them with:
- Classic BBQ sauce
- Creamy ranch dressing
- Sweet honey mustard
- Chick-fil-A sauce copycat Add some crispy french fries or a fresh side salad to make it a meal. For kids, pair with raw carrot sticks or apple slices for a fun lunch!
Storage Tips
Keep your leftover popcorn chicken crispy by storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes – they’ll crisp right back up! Avoid microwaving if you can, as this makes the coating soggy.
Popcorn Chicken
Equipment
- Bowl
- Baking sheet
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces (about 2-3 large breasts)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 1/2 cups corn flakes cereal lightly crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- 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.
- 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 7-8 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 360 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 400 degrees and cook for 2-3 more minutes, or until crisp and cooked through.
- Serve warm with BBQ sauce, ranch, Chick-fil-A sauce, honey mustard, or another favorite dipping sauce.
