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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Chicken

    Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken

    Published: Nov 23, 2022 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

    31 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Low Fat
    Air fryer popcorn chicken with a text title overlay.

    This easy air fryer popcorn chicken is a favourite with kids, ready in just 10 minutes and much lighter than fast food versions. Crispy on the outside and deliciously tender inside, this popcorn chicken in air fryer is quicker than cooking it in the oven. Dunk it into your favourite dip and enjoy as a main meal or a side.

    Small pieces of breaded chicken on a plate with a pot of white dip.

    Just a few ingredients is all you need to make these delicious bites of popcorn chicken. If you haven't tried breaded chicken in the air fryer before, this is going to totally change the way you cook. Bite sized pieces of crispy chicken that kind of looks like kernels of popcorn. They go down really well at a party too.

    If you are looking for more air fryer chicken recipes, why not try our Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets, Air Fryer Chicken Breast or Air Fryer Whole Chicken?

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love it
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • How to make air fryer popcorn chicken - Step by step
    • Top tip
    • Variations
    • What to serve with air fryer popcorn chicken
    • Storage
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Extra tips
    • More chicken recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love it

    • Quick and easy - This air fryer popcorn chicken cooks in just 5 minutes, which is quicker than doing them in the oven and there is no preheating needed.
    • Healthier - Not only is the popcorn chicken itself healthier than frozen ones, but they are air fried to get crispy, which is healthier than frying them.
    • Family favourite - Breaded chicken always go down well with kids and these ones are no different.
    • Freezable - Make a big batch of these (cooking them in batches) and then you can freeze them for easy after school dinners.

    Ingredients and substitutions

    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.
    • Chicken breast - You can use chicken breasts or boneless and skinless chicken thighs for this popcorn chicken. We used chicken breast to keep it leaner. Make sure to cut them into even pieces so they cook at the same rate.
    • Flour - This is important as it goes on the chicken first and gives the egg something to cling to. We just used plain flour (all purpose).
    • Egg - This gives the breadcrumbs something to stick to, otherwise they would just come right off.
    • Breadcrumbs - This is the coating of the chicken and what makes it nice and crispy. We used golden breading, as it gives that amazing colour. But panko breadcrumbs get the crispiest. You could also make your own breadcrumbs. Panko is made from a crustless white bread that is processed into flakes and then dried. Because panko has a dryer and flakier consistency than regular breadcrumbs, they absorb less oil.
    • Salt and pepper - To season.
    • Garlic powder, Onion powder and Paprika - This is the flavour blend we have used. You could add some cayenne if you wanted some spice.
    • Spray oil - Use olive oil that you have added to a spray bottle yourself.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    How to make air fryer popcorn chicken - Step by step

    One: Cut the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces (about the size of a dice).

    Small cubes of diced chicken on a wooden chopping board.

    Two: Combine the flour, salt and pepper on one plate (a). Combine the breadcrumbs, garlic, onion and paprika on another plate (b).

    Two shot collage of a plate of flour and a plate of breadcrumbs.

    Three: Coat the chicken in the flour, then dip into the whisked egg, then coat in the breadcrumb mix.

    Chicken being coated in flour, then egg then breadcrumbs.

    Four: Repeat until all the chicken pieces are breaded.

    A plate of breaded, raw chicken cubes.

    Five: Put into the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray with a little olive oil.

    Uncooked popcorn chicken in an air fryer basket.

    Six: Cook at 200°C for 5 minutes, shaking halfway through cooking. You may have to cook in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

    Cooked popcorn chicken in an air fryer basket.
    heart icon

    Top tip

    Only use olive oil that you can put into a spray bottle yourself. Don't use spray oils in an air fryer, as it strips the coating off the basket.

    Variations

    This is a pretty simple recipe, so there aren't too many ways that you can adapt it. However, you could add a few little extras into the breading to change it up a bit. To make it crispier, and also make it feel a little more indulgent, you could mix some grated Parmesan into the breadcrumbs, but you can leave it out too.

    If you like spicy food, then you could mix a little bit of chilli powder into the flour with the paprika. You could also add some red chilli flakes to the breadcrumbs.

    You could also follow our recipe for Chicken Goujons and then cook those in the air fryer.

    What to serve with air fryer popcorn chicken

    We served this air fryer popcorn chicken with some Healthy Ranch Dressing. But if you are making it more of a meal, try our incredible Paprika Chips and some ranch slaw. However there are lots of options when it comes to side dishes.

    If it is more carbs you are looking for, then try our Air Fryer Potato Wedges, Creamy Mashed Potato, Air Fryer Chips, Greek Potatoes, Oven Baked Hash Browns or Italian Parmesan Roasted Potatoes.

    If you are looking for some more sauces to dip these air fryer chicken popcorn bites into, then why not try our Healthy BBQ Sauce, Southwest Sauce, 2 Minute Nacho Cheese Sauce, Easy Garlic Sauce or Homemade Tomato Ketchup?

    Popcorn chicken, topped with fresh herbs next to a small pot of creamy dip.

    Storage

    Store: You can store leftovers, however they will loose their crispiness when stored in the fridge. They will get a little bit crispy again when reheated, but nowhere near as freshly cooked. Leftover popcorn chicken should be cooled quickly and then put in an airtight container in the fridge and they can be stored for up to 3 days.

    Freeze: For best results we recommend freezing the popcorn chicken uncooked. Place them in a freezer container, with a layer of baking paper between each and then freezer. They will keep for 3 months. To freeze once cooked, let them cool completely and then flash freeze them on a baking tray. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag and it will keep for 3 months.

    Defrost: Always cook from frozen.

    Reheat: If you are reheating from the fridge, put in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes until heated through. If you are cooking from uncooked frozen, then put the uncooked popcorn chicken in the air fryer, spray with olive oil and cook for 8-9 minutes until cooked through. If you are reheating frozen cooked air fryer popcorn chicken, then spray with oil and reheat for about 6 minutes.

    A hand dipping some breaded chicken into a creamy white sauce.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What air fryer should I use?

    We can't rate highly enough the Power Air Fryer XL. The 5 litre capacity is big enough for cooking for the whole family and it can fry, grill, bake, sauté, roast and steam. There are simple touch screen controls and it heats up quickly and can cook your food up to 70% faster than a conventional oven. Also, it's dishwasher safe.

    Why isn't my air fryer popcorn chicken crispy?

    Every air fryer cooks differently, so yours might need a couple of minutes longer. Make sure you don't over cook it though, otherwise it will be dry.

    How do I know when the chicken is cooked?

    This dish cooks in the air fryer for around 5 minutes, but the exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer. The best way to ensure that it is cooked through is to use a meat thermometer. Chicken is cooked when it has an internal temperature of 75°C/167°F at the thickest part of the meat.

    Can I double the recipe?

    It depends on the size of your air fryer. You need to make sure these are cooked in a single layer, so they get nice and crispy. If you wanted to make more you would need to cook them in batches.

    Can I make frozen popcorn chicken in the air fryer?

    If you want to cook a bag of store bought frozen popcorn chicken in the air fryer, then you can. It will take about 8 minutes.

    Can I make these in advance?

    Yes, you can make these up and keep them in a single layer in the fridge until you are ready to cook them.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • When breading the popcorn chicken, use one hand for putting the chicken in the flour and then putting it in and out of the egg mixture and then another hand for tossing it in breadcrumbs. This is to make sure the breadcrumb hand doesn't get covered in egg and clumps of breadcrumbs. You can also use tongs to prevent messy fingers.
    • If you are cooking air fryer popcorn chicken from frozen, don't thaw the chicken first, just cook from frozen.
    • Every air fryer varies, so the first time you make this in your air fryer, check the popcorn chicken after 4 minutes and adjust the cooking time as needed.
    • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. They need to be in one layer, without touching. This is so the air can circulate and they can get nice and crispy.
    • Shake the basket half way through.
    • Make sure the chicken is cut to the same size pieces, so that it cooked evenly.
    • You could add Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs for extra crispiness and cheesy flavour.
    • You can cook these in the oven instead. They will take about 12 minutes and will need flipping half way through.

    More chicken recipes

    • Two chicken mayo sandwiches stacked on a wooden board.
      Chicken Mayo Sandwich
    • Marinated Chicken Breasts on a plate with rice and slaw.
      Tomato, Chilli and Basil Marinated Chicken
    • Vietnamese chicken and sweet potato curry in a bowl with chopped herbs.
      Chicken and Sweet Potato Curry (Cari Ga)
    • Instant Pot Chicken Pasta

    If you’ve tried this popcorn chicken recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken on a plate with some dip.

    Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken

    By: Dannii
    This easy air fryer popcorn chicken is a favourite with kids, ready in just 10 minutes and much lighter than fast food versions.
    the words low fat in a white circle.
    Low Fat
    5 from 13 votes
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Main Course, Party Food
    Cuisine: American, British
    Prep: 5 mins
    Cook: 5 mins
    Total: 10 mins
    Servings: 2 servings
    Calories: 373kcal
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a cracked egg.
    Eggs
    An illustration of two ears of wheat.
    Gluten
    An illustration of a cow's head.
    Meat
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 350 g (12.5 oz) Chicken breast
    • 2 tablespoon Plain flour
    • 1 Eggs - whisked
    • 50 g (1 cups) Panko breadcrumbs
    • 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
    • 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
    • Spray oil

    Instructions

    • Cut the chicken into small, bite-sized pieces (about the size of a dice).
      350 g Chicken breast
    • Combine the flour, salt and pepper on one plate.
      2 tablespoon Plain flour, 1 pinch Sea salt and black pepper
    • Combine the breadcrumbs, garlic, onion and paprika on another plate.
      50 g Panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon Garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Onion powder, 0.5 teaspoon Paprika
    • Coat the chicken in the flour, then dip into the whisked egg, then coat in the breadcrumb mix.
      1 Eggs
    • Repeat until all the chicken pieces are breaded.
    • Put into the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray with a little olive oil.
      Spray oil
    • Cook at 200°C for 5 minutes, shaking halfway through cooking. You may have to cook in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

    Notes

    • When breading the popcorn chicken, use one hand for putting the chicken in the flour and then putting it in and out of the egg mixture and then another hand for tossing it in breadcrumbs. This is to make sure the breadcrumb hand doesn't get covered in egg and clumps of breadcrumbs. You can also use tongs to prevent messy fingers.
    • If you are cooking air fryer popcorn chicken from frozen, don't thaw the chicken first, just cook from frozen.
    • Every air fryer varies, so the first time you make this in your air fryer, check the popcorn chicken after 4 minutes and adjust the cooking time as needed.
    • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. They need to be in one layer, without touching. This is so the air can circulate and they can get nice and crispy.
    • Shake the basket half way through.
    • Make sure the chicken is cut to the same size pieces, so that it cooked evenly.
    • You could add Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs for extra crispiness and cheesy flavour.
    • You can cook these in the oven instead. They will take about 12 minutes and will need flipping half way through.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 373kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 194mg | Sodium: 419mg | Potassium: 775mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 421IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 3mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Chef Mireille

      November 30, 2022 at 12:18 pm

      5 stars
      What a quick and easy recipe! It looks so crunchy and just perfect for snacking. A great appetizer that I can't wait to try!

      Reply
    2. Katherine

      November 30, 2022 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      This is so quick and easy! Much better than buying from a fast-food restaurant.

      Reply
    3. Amanda Wren-Grimwood

      November 30, 2022 at 9:57 am

      5 stars
      What a great healthier version for kids and I always get my son to do the breading so thanks for the tips too.

      Reply
    4. Ieva

      November 30, 2022 at 9:46 am

      5 stars
      Very nice seasoning! So simple, just garlic, onion and paprika powder, but they really make this chicken recipe extra special! Bonus that they're cooked in an air-fryer too!

      Reply
    5. kushigalu

      November 30, 2022 at 8:33 am

      5 stars
      Drooling over this popcorn chicken. Looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing

      Reply
    6. Jen

      November 29, 2022 at 5:32 pm

      5 stars
      This is really good! My kids couldn't stop eating these!!

      Reply
    7. Kelley

      November 29, 2022 at 3:44 pm

      5 stars
      These were so crispy and juicy! We served them with honey mustard sauce to dip them in!

      Reply
    8. Suja md

      November 29, 2022 at 3:33 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious dish; thank you for this fantastic recipe! I will make it again!!

      Reply
    9. Sarah James

      November 29, 2022 at 3:15 pm

      5 stars
      Your chicken popcorn looks delicious and so much better for you than shop bought. Love the idea of adding Parmesan to the breadcrumbs for extra crunch.

      Reply
    10. Shadi

      November 29, 2022 at 2:53 pm

      5 stars
      Oh wow, this looks so delicious. My family is going to devour it!

      Reply

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    Established in 2011, Hungry Healthy Happy has become one of the UK's most popular food blogs, with two successful recipe books published.

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