Crispy Popcorn Chicken Bites (Printable)

Crispy golden bites with juicy chicken inside. Perfect for snacking or sharing with friends.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh, cut into ¾ inch pieces

→ Marinade

02 - ½ cup buttermilk
03 - 1 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tsp onion powder
05 - ½ tsp paprika
06 - ½ tsp salt
07 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper

→ Breading

08 - 1¼ cups all-purpose flour
09 - ½ cup cornstarch
10 - 1 tsp baking powder
11 - 1 tsp paprika
12 - 1 tsp salt
13 - ½ tsp cayenne pepper
14 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Frying

15 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying

# How To Make:

01 - Combine chicken pieces with buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix thoroughly, cover, and marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours refrigerated.
02 - Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, paprika, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper in a large bowl until evenly distributed.
03 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Toss pieces in the flour mixture until thoroughly coated. For extra crunch, dip coated chicken back into buttermilk and re-coat in flour mixture.
05 - Fry chicken in batches without overcrowding, cooking for 3–4 minutes per batch until golden brown and cooked through.
06 - Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack or paper towels. Serve immediately with preferred dipping sauces.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The double-coating trick creates that shatteringly crispy exterior you thought only restaurants could achieve
  • These freeze beautifully so you can always have homemade popcorn chicken ready for unexpected cravings
02 -
  • Crowding the pan drops the oil temperature and makes soggy chicken, so fry in small batches
  • Letting the coated chicken sit for 5 minutes before frying helps the coating adhere better
03 -
  • Let your coated chicken rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes before frying to prevent coating from falling off
  • Use a kitchen thermometer to maintain oil temperature and ensure perfectly cooked chicken every time
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