Description
Crispy Popcorn Chicken Bites are juicy, tender pieces of chicken coated in a seasoned crispy breading and fried or baked to golden perfection — perfect for snacking, parties, or game day.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken pieces, cover, and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours).
- In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Heat 2–3 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off, then dredge in the flour mixture, pressing to coat well.
- Fry chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Do not overcrowd the pan.
- Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- For a healthier version, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Double-dip in the flour mixture for extra crunch.
- Great for meal prep — reheat in an air fryer to keep them crispy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 19g
- Cholesterol: 60mg