Have you ever tried making KFC-style, crispy and juicy popcorn chicken recipe at home? Here’s a easy and simple way to prepare crispy chicken bites in your kitchen.
Whether it’s a party with friends or family, popcorn chicken is a perfect snack for any event. It’s one of my favorite appetizers. This dish is always a hit. The bursting flavors with golden crispy outside and juicy inside are a perfect combination. The best part is anyone with no skills or knowledge of cooking can whip up this dish in no time. It’s a small bite-sized crunchy chicken packed with bursting flavors.
The popcorn chicken recipe was originally developed by KFC. Instead of breadcrumbs, I have tried with all-purpose flour, dipping the mixture of mentioned small bite-sized cubes in cold water and adding bursting flavorful peri-peri masala as a little touch from my side, deep-fried until it turns out golden crispy.
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Popcorn Chicken Recipe Ingredients
Chicken breasts (500 grams / 1 lb)
1 cup all-purpose flour (250 grams / 0.5 lbs)
1 bowl cold water
1 tbsp ginger garlic paste
2 tbsp peri-peri powder
1 tbsp vinegar
Salt
Oil for deep frying
Peri-Peri Masala
1 tbsp ginger powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp red chili powder
1 tbsp black pepper powder
1 tbsp Kashmir chili powder (for color)
1 tbsp dry mango/amchur powder
1 tbsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
Optional for serving:
Mayonnaise
Tomato ketchup
There are different recipes to prepare popcorn chicken. Some like crispy deep-fried and some prefer air-fried, being health conscious. I always prefer this recipe with deep-fried, following ingredients and steps, which are quicker and easier to make. You can also find additional tips below to bake the popcorn chicken using an air-fryer and breadcrumbs with cornstarch/cornflour.
Prepare Peri-Peri Powder (or use ready powder)
First, grab a blender and add 1 tablespoon of each ingredient – garlic powder, ginger powder, onion powder, red chili powder, Kashmir chili powder, black pepper powder, salt, and sugar. Once you start blending, you will find a perfectly balanced, luscious peri-peri powder that will take your dish to a new level.
Note: Skip this method if you are using ready peri-peri masala.
Step by Step Preparation of Crispy Fried Popcorn Chicken with Images
Chop the chicken breast into small cubes according to your preferred size. You can also use other boneless cuts of chicken like thighs or tenderloin, but for a quicker and easier preparation, I prefer the breast part. It’s super easy to cut and saves time in the kitchen.
Take a bowl and add the chopped chicken meat. Next, toss in 1 tbsp of ginger garlic paste, 1 tbsp of vinegar, 2 tbsp of homemade/ready peri-peri powder, and 1/2 tbsp of salt. Mix everything well, and make sure the chicken is perfectly coated with the flavorful ingredients.
Now, let the chicken meat sit and marinate for minimum 30 minutes in refrigerator. This allows all those seasonings to soak in, making sure the chicken is packed with flavor. You can also keep it marinating for about 4 hours for better results.
Grab another bowl and add 1 cup of all-purpose flour (250 grams/ 0.5 lbs) and then mix it with 1/2 tbsp salt.
Once your chicken is marinated and absorbs all those delicious flavors. It’s time to move on to the next step! Take the marinated chicken cubes and toss them in the flour mixture. Make sure each piece is fully coated, giving it that perfect layer of flour that will create a crispy, golden crust once cooked.
Next, dip the coated chicken cubes into the cold water for 5 minutes. This step helps the flour stick better to the chicken, ensuring it stays in place when you cook it.
Once you have finished soaking the chicken in cold water, it’s time to get your hands a little messy. Take the chicken out and roll each piece generously in the all-purpose flour. You will notice how the flour sticks, giving the pieces a perfect coating. Gently shake the pieces of chicken just to remove the excess flour and perfect balance between a crispy outside and a juicy inside.
It’s time to deep fry the chicken. Preheat the oil and carefully drop the coated chicken cubes into the hot oil. Make small batches to avoid overcrowding. Listen to the sizzle, and wait until they turn into a beautiful golden-brown color with the perfect crispy texture. Keep an eye on them, and make sure they don’t overcook.
Sprinkle an ample amount of peri-peri powder over the top of crispy fried popcorn chicken to take your dish to the next level. Feel the burst of flavor on every single bite of popcorn.
To finish and serve the crispy fried popcorn chicken, go with a side of creamy mayonnaise and tangy tomato ketchup. Enjoy the crispy and juicy fried popcorn chicken with friends and family.
Air-Fryer Method
Follow all the steps as mentioned above and replace the 9th step to this:
- Preheat the air-fryer to 400-degree F or 205-degree C.
- Make batches of marinated chicken cubes and place them in the basket of the air-fryer by keeping space for each other.
- As optional you can spray cooking oil on them.
- Cook them for 5 to 8 minutes and shake the basket halfway time.
Additional tips
Want to Avoid Oil Deep Frying?
- If you’re looking for a healthy alternative, use an air fryer to bake the popcorn chicken instead of deep fry. However, it won’t match the taste and crispiness of deep frying. It’s better to have delicious, crispy fried popcorn chicken and be conscious of health.
Want to Save Time ?
- To speed up the process or to save on costs, use ready peri-peri masala from the market, which saves time and even reduces the cost of making the dish.
- Reduce the marinating cut chicken cubes with the mixture of flour and seasonings from 4 hours to 30 minutes (refer step 4).
Use Breadcrumbs / Cornstarch slurry
- To make chicken popcorn using breadcrumbs, replace all-purpose flour with cornstarch slurry and breadcrumbs. Dip the cut chicken cubes in cornstarch slurry and roll them in breadcrumbs.
Benefits of Chicken
Chicken is highly nutritious for health. It contains high protein, supports muscle growth and weight management, is rich in essential nutrients, supports bone health, and boosts the immunity. However, it’s best to have baked or grilled chicken.
Nutritional Facts as per serving
- Calories: 260-280cal
- Protein: 22g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Sodium: 580mg
Recipe Card
Popcorn Chicken Recipe: Easy and Quick
Try KFC style crispy and juicy popcorn chicken recipe, quick and easy to prepare, with both deep fry and air-fryer options, including all preparation steps and pictures.
Type: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keywords: popcorn chicken recipe
Recipe Yield: 4
Calories: 260
Preparation Time: PT35M
Cooking Time: PT10M
Total Time: PT45M
Recipe Video Name: Popcorn Chicken Recipe
Recipe Video Description: Try KFC style crispy and juicy popcorn chicken recipe, quick and easy to prepare, with both deep fry and air-fryer options, including all preparation steps and pictures.
Recipe Video Thumbnail: https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spio/ret_img,q_orig,to_webp,s_webp/timsip.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Popcorn-chicken-recipe-1.jpg
Recipe Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts (500 grams/1 lb)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (250 grams/0.5 lbs)
- 1 bowl cold water
- 1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
- 2 tablespoon peri-peri powder
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1/2 Salt
- Oil for deep frying
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I recommend this recipe for everyone