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This easy Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken recipe is kid-friendly, lighter and healthier than your typical fast-food version!

Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken

Popcorn chicken is a fun, snackable method to get your protein fix (30 grams per serving!). Originally developed in Taiwan within the 70s after which introduced within the US at Kentucky Fried Chicken within the 90s, popcorn chicken is small bites of crunchy chicken you’ll be able to eat like popcorn. It’s traditionally deep fried and delicious but obviously, not the healthiest option on the menu. Making this from scratch is straightforward and one other healthy method to enjoy air fryer chicken breast. More of my favorite air fryer fried chicken recipes are these air fryer chicken nuggets, air fryer chicken tenders, and air fryer chicken sandwiches.

Healthy Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken

I loved the concept of constructing popcorn chicken healthier with much less oil within the air fryer. After testing several batches, I discovered the breading wouldn’t brown within the short time that it took the chicken to cook (five minutes), so I needed to get creative.

The answer: Toasting the panko crumbs in a little bit oil before breading the chicken. It adds about five minutes to your prep time but eliminates the often- messy task of spritzing oil on each bit before air frying. The result’s juicy little bites of guiltless, crispy chicken.

What’s popcorn chicken product of?

You’ll need to establish a dredging station with the popcorn chicken ingredients:

• Flour: Put all-purpose flour and salt on a big plate.
• Egg: Whisk one egg with a teaspoon of water in a bowl.
• Seasoned Panko: Toast the panko in olive oil after which mix it with garlic powder, onion, powder, oregano, cayenne (if using), and black pepper on a big plate.
• Chicken: Cut a pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-size pieces – concerning the size of a dice – and season with salt and pepper.

How long do you place popcorn chicken within the air fryer?

Since popcorn chicken is so little, it cooks fast.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
2. Spray the basket with olive oil and place about 30 pieces within the basket, leaving space between each.
3. Cook the chicken for five minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Easy methods to Freeze Popcorn Chicken

This popcorn chicken is straightforward to freeze and excellent to drag out while you need a fast snack, appetizer, or lunch.

1. Let the chicken cool completely after it’s cooked, after which flash freeze on a baking tray.
2. Once frozen, transfer the chicken to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for as much as 3 months.

Your comments are helpful! In case you’ve tried this popcorn chicken recipe or another recipe on health foods diets, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I might love to listen to your thoughts, variations, and feedback. And in the event you took a photograph of what you cooked, share it with me on Instagram so I can reshare it on my stories.

More Fried Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:

Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken

5

283 Cals
30 Protein
21 Carbs
8 Fats

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 40 mins

This easy Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken recipe is kid-friendly, lighter and healthier than your typical fast-food version!

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Olive oil spray

• Add oil to a medium skillet over medium low heat. Add the panko and ½ teaspoon salt.

• Toast panko for about 4 minutes or until just golden, stirring every 30 seconds to evenly brown.  Transfer crumbs to a plate.

• Cut chicken into ¾-inch cubes (concerning the size of a small dice), season with ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper, to taste, then arrange your dredging station. You must have about 60 cubes.

To establish dredging station:

• Place flour and ¼ teaspoon salt on a big plate.

• Place egg in a bowl, add 1 teaspoon water and beat until uniform.

• Add the garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and cayenne (if using) and black pepper, to taste, to the toasted panko and place the plate on the opposite side of the egg bowl.

• Working with about 15 pieces at a time, dredge in flour, flippantly coating all sides.

• Then, egg, allowing excess to drip off (I prefer to use tongs and wipe the surplus off on the side of the bowl).  Next add the pieces to the panko mixture and coat all sides evenly, pressing crumbs to ensure that they adhere evenly. Repeat with remaining pieces.

• Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray the basket with olive oil.

• Add about 30 pieces to the air fryer basket, ensuring to depart space between each bit so that they get crispy. Spray the highest with oil.

• Cook for five minutes, shaking the basket halfway through cook time.  Serve immediately.

Serving: 15 pieces, Calories: 283kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 1.5g, Cholesterol: 129mg, Sodium: 385mg, Fiber: 1.5g, Sugar: 2g

Keywords: Air Fryer Chicken, air fryer chicken breast, airfryer popcorn chicken, popcorn chicken