Description
Crispy popcorn chicken brings Southern comfort straight to your plate with golden-brown, bite-sized morsels. Perfectly seasoned breading and juicy chicken make this irresistible snack a crowd-pleaser you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Breading:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup regular breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 eggs
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Immerse chicken pieces in buttermilk, allowing them to marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight to enhance tenderness and flavor infusion.
- Create a seasoned coating by combining panko and traditional breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese, blending in garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne for a robust flavor profile.
- Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C), preparing a parchment-lined baking sheet with a light spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Transform each marinated chicken piece by first dredging through beaten eggs, ensuring complete coverage, then generously roll in the prepared seasoned breadcrumb mixture for maximum crispiness.
- Arrange the coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining space between each morsel to promote even crisping.
- Lightly mist the breaded chicken with cooking spray to encourage golden browning and additional crunch.
- Roast in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, carefully turning the pieces midway to guarantee uniform cooking and an appetizing golden exterior.
- Remove from oven and allow the chicken to rest briefly, letting the residual heat complete the cooking process and the exterior to set its crispy texture.
- Plate and accompany with preferred dipping sauces, serving immediately to preserve the optimal crunch and temperature.
Notes
- Tenderize chicken thoroughly by pounding to an even thickness, ensuring consistent cooking and crispiness.
- Customize breadcrumb mix by adding herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra flavor complexity.
- Experiment with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour for a low-carb, celiac-friendly version of the dish.
- Use an air fryer instead of oven for crispier texture and faster cooking time, reducing overall preparation duration.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg