Popcorn Chicken (Better than KFC!) – by Gastro Guru

Skip the KFC drive-thru and make popcorn hen at dwelling! They’re fantastically golden, extremely crispy, and deliciously juicy on the within. A number of cooking strategies included.

At any time when I’m craving KFC, I prefer to whip up my do-it-yourself recipes, together with my spicy hen sandwich, oven fried hen, and my well-known popcorn hen recipe.

They style higher than the quick meals large and make a unbelievable do-it-yourself appetizer or recreation day snack. They prepare dinner in minutes and are so darn addictive.

Desk of Contents

1. What’s popcorn hen?
2. Substances wanted
3. Find out how to make popcorn hen 
4. Various cooking strategies
5. Recipe suggestions and variations
6. Find out how to retailer leftovers
7. Extra crispy hen recipes
8. Popcorn Hen (Recipe Card)

What’s popcorn hen?

Popcorn hen is a crispy snack comprised of bite-sized items of breaded and fried hen. Every chew is tremendous crispy whereas the meat stays tender and juicy.

As a diehard KFC fan, I can attest these are EVEN higher and so easy. Listed here are some the explanation why I LOVE this recipe:

• Simple to make at dwelling. You don’t want any particular tools or substances to make copycat KFC popcorn hen from scratch.
• Crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack. Who may probably resist deep-fried crispy hen bites? They’re an ideal finger meals or appetizer for any event, from after-school actions and child’s birthday events to recreation nights and cocktail events. 
• Higher than quick meals. By making fried hen bites at dwelling, you’re left in full management of the substances, flavors, and vitamins. That’s greater than you may say for the dietary nightmare that’s fast-food fried hen.
• A number of cooking strategies. I’ve included air frying and oven-baking choices: each minimize out a big quantity of the fats whereas attaining MAXIMUM crispiness.

Substances wanted

This crispy popcorn hen is so easy, and in addition to the buttermilk and seasonings, there isn’t a lot else that’s wanted to make. Here’s what you’ll want:

• Hen. Hen breasts are simple to work with and slice into bite-sized items. You may as well use skinless hen thighs or hen tenders as a substitute.
• Buttermilk. Coating the hen in buttermilk helps tenderize and infuse the meat with a gentle, tangy taste.
• Salt. To interrupt down the proteins within the meat, supplying you with extra tender and juicy outcomes. 
• Corn flour. This super-fine flour is used to coat the hen items. After frying, the corn flour transforms into a lightweight and crisp crust round every bit. In case you don’t have corn flour, use a 1:1 mixture of all-purpose flour and corn starch as a substitute. Don’t use bread crumbs or panko, as these won’t yield the proper texture.
• Spices. I seasoned the corn flour with smoked paprika, oregano, basil, and mustard powder. Be happy to combine and match the herbs and spices to search out your required taste.
• Oil. Use an oil with a excessive smoke level that’s appropriate for frying, like canola oil and peanut oil.

Find out how to make popcorn hen 

I’ve included step-by-step images beneath to make this recipe simple to comply with at dwelling. For the complete printable recipe directions and ingredient portions, scroll to the recipe card on the backside of this publish.

Step 1- Marinate the hen. Toss and marinate the hen items with the buttermilk and salt. In the meantime, whisk the flour and spices collectively in a separate bowl. 

Step 2- Dredge. Drain the hen and toss the items within the seasoned flour. 

Step 3- Fry. Fry the hen within the scorching oil till they’re golden brown and crispy. Take away with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to empty or wire rack, season with salt, and serve with sauces bbq sauce, ranch, scorching sauce, or honey mustard.

Various cooking strategies

Whereas frying the popcorn hen is essentially the most genuine option to prepare dinner this, I’ve examined them within the air fryer and oven for a more healthy choice. Whereas they aren’t as tremendous duper crispy, they’re fairly shut!

Air fryer methodology: Just like air fryer hen nuggets, prep the hen as instructed, then place the popcorn hen items in a single layer within the air fryer basket (coated with cooking spray). Air fryer at 375F for 10-12 minutes, flipping as soon as.

Oven methodology: Lay the popcorn hen items on a baking sheet and bake them in a 375°F oven for 16 to twenty minutes, flipping midway via.

Recipe suggestions and variations

• Even-sized items. Lower the hen into uniform bite-sized items to make sure even cooking and a constant texture.
• Fry on the proper temperature. The oil temperature ought to stay between 350ºF to 375°F whereas the hen fries. If it will get too scorching, the coating could burn earlier than the hen is cooked. Too chilly and the hen will develop into greasy.
• Don’t overseason. It’s higher so as to add salt after the popcorn hen is fried as a substitute of beforehand. If it occurs to not be as seasoned as you want, you may all the time add extra as soon as cooked.
• Use completely different spices. Garlic powder, onion powder, garlic powder, white pepper, and black pepper are all sturdy and umami-forward spices to vary issues up.
• Spicy popcorn hen. Add chili powder, cayenne pepper, and/or crushed pink pepper flakes to the flour combination. 
• Taiwanese popcorn hen recipe. Swap out the cornflour for candy potato flour and add five-spice powder to the seasonings.

Find out how to retailer leftovers

To retailer: After cooling, place the leftover popcorn hen in an hermetic container and retailer it within the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

To freeze: Unfold the cooled hen items on a baking sheet and freeze till they’re stable. Switch the hen to a freezer-safe bag, then freeze for as much as 2 months. Allow them to thaw first or reheat them from frozen.

To reheat (so the hen stays CRISPY!): Whenever you’re able to reheat leftover popcorn hen, preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the frozen or defrosted popcorn hen on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to fifteen minutes (20 to 25 minutes if frozen), turning them midway via. 

Extra crispy hen recipes