Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken has tender bite-sized pieces of chicken coated in crispy, golden panko breadcrumbs. The crunchy coating surrounds juicy chicken for the perfect bite-sized snack, appetizer, or dinner with your favorite dipping sauce.
Popcorn chicken is always a hit in my house, especially when there are plenty of dipping sauces involved. Making it in the air fryer gives us that crispy coating without having to deep fry anything.
Why I Love Popcorn Chicken
Ingredients for Popcorn Chicken
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Chicken Breast: Cut into ½-inch bite-size pieces. Boneless chicken thighs also work.
- Eggs: Help the breading stick to the chicken.
- All-Purpose Flour: Creates the first layer of the crispy coating.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Give the popcorn chicken extra crunch. Regular breadcrumbs can also be used.
- Garlic Powder: Adds extra flavor to the breading.
- Salt & Pepper: Season to taste.
- Cooking Spray: Helps the coating become golden and crispy in the air fryer.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
1 – Prep: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
2 – Coat: Dip each piece in flour, then egg, and finally panko breadcrumbs.
3 – Arrange: Place the chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer and lightly spray with cooking spray.
4 – Air Fry: Cook at 400°F until golden, crispy, and the chicken reaches 165°F.
5 – Serve: Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce. 🍗💙
Tips I Found Helpful 💙 🍗
- Cut evenly: Keep the chicken pieces about the same size so they cook evenly.
- Coat completely: Make sure each piece gets a good coating of flour, egg, and panko.
- Don’t overcrowd: Leave space between the chicken pieces so they get crispy instead of steaming.
- Spray lightly: A little cooking spray helps the breading turn golden and crunchy.
- Cook in batches: If needed, work in batches rather than stacking the chicken.
- Check the temperature: Chicken is done when the center reaches 165°F.
How to Cook Frozen Popcorn Chicken in the Air Fryer
1 – Arrange: Place the frozen popcorn chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
2 – Air Fry: Cook at 400°F, shaking the basket halfway through.
3 – Check: Continue cooking until the chicken is hot and crispy, following the package guidance for doneness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work well. Cut them into small, even pieces so they cook at the same rate.
Why isn’t my popcorn chicken crispy?
Make sure you don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leaving space between the pieces allows the hot air to circulate and crisp the coating.
What dipping sauces go well with popcorn chicken?
Ranch, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, or your favorite chicken dipping sauce all work well.
How do I store leftover Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
How do I reheat popcorn chicken in the air fryer?
Air fry at 350°F for a few minutes until heated through and crispy again.
Can I freeze homemade popcorn chicken?
Yes. Let the cooked chicken cool completely, then freeze it in a freezer-safe container. Reheat it from frozen in the air fryer until hot and crispy.
More Chicken Recipes I Love
Popcorn Chicken Air Fryer
Crispy bite-sized chicken with a crunchy golden panko coating.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast cut in half inch cubes
- 2 Eggs Whisked
- 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
- Salt and Pepper
- Cooking Spray like pam
Popcorn Chicken From Frozen
- 1 Bag Popcorn Chicken
- Cooking Spray
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer to 400 degrees. Cut Chicken into 1/2 ″ Cubes.
- Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper to your flour.
- Set up your breading station with one bowl of bread crumbs, one bowl of flour, and a small bowl of whisked eggs.
- Dip Chicken Pieces first in the flour; coat well.
- Next, Dip the flour-coated chicken in the whisked eggs.
- Last, Dip the chicken into the panko bread Crumbs. Work in batches until all chicken is coated.
- Spray Air Fryer Basket with cooking spray and place coated chicken pieces in a single layer.
- Air Fry for 15 minutes, flipping once after 10 minutes or until both sides are golden brown.
From Frozen:
- Preheat Air Fryer to 400 degrees,
- Place frozen chicken in a single layer in an air fryer basket.
- Spray with cooking sprays like pam or olive oil.
- Cook for 15 minutes, turning after 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
Cut the chicken into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate. Cook in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the basket. Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1 cupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 701Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 192mgSodium: 602mgCarbohydrates: 93gFiber: 5gSugar: 4gProtein: 54g
