Best 2 Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken Recipes

Elevate your snacking experience with air fryer popcorn chicken, a delectable and healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken. This culinary delight combines tender chicken morsels coated in a crispy, flavorful breading, cooked to perfection in the air fryer, resulting in a guilt-free indulgence that satisfies your cravings while keeping your calorie count in check. With this guide, you'll discover simple yet delicious recipes that showcase diverse flavor profiles, from classic to adventurous, ensuring a flavor-packed experience with every bite. Embark on a journey of crispy, juicy popcorn chicken perfection, all made possible with the magic of your air fryer.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

AIR FRYER POPCORN CHICKEN

Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken image

These crispy chicken bites are made healthier by using an air fryer instead of a deep fryer. Serve these with your favorite dipping sauces.

Provided by France C

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground mustard
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
⅛ teaspoon ground thyme
⅛ teaspoon dried basil
⅛ teaspoon dried oregano
⅛ teaspoon dried sage
3 tablespoons cornstarch
cooking spray (such as Misto®)

Steps:

Place chicken pieces into a medium bowl.
Combine salt, paprika, black pepper, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, basil, oregano, and sage in a small bowl. Reserve 1 teaspoon of seasoning mix and sprinkle remaining seasoning on chicken. Toss to coat evenly.
Combine cornstarch and reserved 1 teaspoon seasoning in a resealable plastic bag; shake to combine. Place chicken pieces into bag, seal bag, and shake to coat evenly. Transfer chicken to a fine mesh strainer and shake to remove excess cornstarch. Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes until cornstarch is beginning to absorb into the chicken.
Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Spray basket of the air fryer with oil and place chicken pieces inside, making sure pieces do not overlap. You may have to do two batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Mist chicken with cooking spray.
Cook for 4 minutes. Shake air fryer basket and spray chicken again with oil so there are no dry or powdery areas. Cook until chicken is no longer pink on the inside, about 4 to 5 more minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 152.5 calories, Carbohydrate 6.1 g, Cholesterol 64.6 mg, Fat 2.9 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 23.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 493.1 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

AIR FRYER POPCORN CHICKEN RECIPE BY TASTY

Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken Recipe by Tasty image

One thing we'll say about this popcorn chicken is that you won't be able to stop popping it in your mouth! Dredged in spiced flour, buttermilk, and panko, then air fried to crispy perfection, it's savory, tangy, crunchy, and great for sharing (if you can bear to!).

Provided by Tasty

Categories Lunch

Time 45m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 large eggs, beaten
½ cup buttermilk
2 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 in (2.54 cm)
nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
ketchup, for serving

Steps:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk. Add the panko to a third medium bowl.
Season the chicken cubes with salt and pepper. Dip 1 piece of chicken at a time in the flour mixture, making sure to fully coat each piece and shaking off any excess. Dip the chicken in the egg mixture. Then, coat the chicken in the panko. Repeat with remaining chicken.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spray the basket with nonstick spray.
Working in batches, arrange the chicken in the basket, making sure the pieces are not touching. Cook until light golden, 5 minutes, then flip the chicken over and continue cooking until cooked through and golden brown, 5 minutes more. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
Serve the popcorn chicken with ketchup.
Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 274 calories, Carbohydrate 33 grams, Fat 3 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 24 grams, Sugar 2 grams

Tips:

Choose the right chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs cut into 1-inch pieces. This will ensure that the chicken cooks evenly and stays tender.
Make sure the chicken is dry: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels before coating them in the breading. This will help the breading adhere to the chicken and prevent it from falling off during cooking.
Use a light hand with the breading: Don't over-bread the chicken, or it will end up being too heavy and greasy. A light coating of breading is all you need to achieve a crispy, flavorful crust.
Preheat the air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature before adding the chicken. This will help the chicken cook evenly and prevent it from sticking to the basket.
Cook the chicken in batches: If you're cooking a large batch of chicken, cook it in batches to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly. Overcrowding the air fryer will result in uneven cooking.
Shake the basket halfway through cooking: Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to ensure that the chicken cooks evenly. This will also help to prevent the chicken from sticking to the basket.

Conclusion:

Air fryer popcorn chicken is a quick, easy, and delicious way to enjoy a classic comfort food. With just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of cooking time, you can have a batch of crispy, juicy popcorn chicken that the whole family will love. Serve it with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!