Best 2 Air Fry Frozen Popcorn Chicken Recipes

Indulge in a delightful culinary adventure with our collection of air fryer popcorn chicken recipes, offering a crispy, juicy, and flavorful twist to the classic comfort food. Discover the art of creating perfectly cooked popcorn chicken in the convenience of your own air fryer, resulting in a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. Explore a variety of recipes catering to different taste preferences, from classic seasoned popcorn chicken to tantalizingly spicy and tangy variations. Get ready to satisfy your cravings for crispy, bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a flavorful breading, perfect for snacking, parties, or a quick and easy meal. With our detailed instructions and helpful tips, you'll be able to effortlessly prepare this crowd-pleasing dish in no time. So, let's embark on a culinary journey and discover the secrets to making the ultimate air fryer popcorn chicken.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

AIR FRYER POPCORN CHICKEN

Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken image

These crispy chicken bites are made healthier by using an air fryer instead of a deep fryer. Serve these with your favorite dipping sauces.

Provided by France C

Categories World Cuisine Recipes Asian

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground mustard
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
⅛ teaspoon ground thyme
⅛ teaspoon dried basil
⅛ teaspoon dried oregano
⅛ teaspoon dried sage
3 tablespoons cornstarch
cooking spray (such as Misto®)

Steps:

Place chicken pieces into a medium bowl.
Combine salt, paprika, black pepper, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, basil, oregano, and sage in a small bowl. Reserve 1 teaspoon of seasoning mix and sprinkle remaining seasoning on chicken. Toss to coat evenly.
Combine cornstarch and reserved 1 teaspoon seasoning in a resealable plastic bag; shake to combine. Place chicken pieces into bag, seal bag, and shake to coat evenly. Transfer chicken to a fine mesh strainer and shake to remove excess cornstarch. Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes until cornstarch is beginning to absorb into the chicken.
Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees F (200 degrees C).
Spray basket of the air fryer with oil and place chicken pieces inside, making sure pieces do not overlap. You may have to do two batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. Mist chicken with cooking spray.
Cook for 4 minutes. Shake air fryer basket and spray chicken again with oil so there are no dry or powdery areas. Cook until chicken is no longer pink on the inside, about 4 to 5 more minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 152.5 calories, Carbohydrate 6.1 g, Cholesterol 64.6 mg, Fat 2.9 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 23.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.8 g, Sodium 493.1 mg, Sugar 0.1 g

AIR FRYER POPCORN CHICKEN RECIPE BY TASTY

Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken Recipe by Tasty image

One thing we'll say about this popcorn chicken is that you won't be able to stop popping it in your mouth! Dredged in spiced flour, buttermilk, and panko, then air fried to crispy perfection, it's savory, tangy, crunchy, and great for sharing (if you can bear to!).

Provided by Tasty

Categories Lunch

Time 45m

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 large eggs, beaten
½ cup buttermilk
2 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 in (2.54 cm)
nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
ketchup, for serving

Steps:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk. Add the panko to a third medium bowl.
Season the chicken cubes with salt and pepper. Dip 1 piece of chicken at a time in the flour mixture, making sure to fully coat each piece and shaking off any excess. Dip the chicken in the egg mixture. Then, coat the chicken in the panko. Repeat with remaining chicken.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Spray the basket with nonstick spray.
Working in batches, arrange the chicken in the basket, making sure the pieces are not touching. Cook until light golden, 5 minutes, then flip the chicken over and continue cooking until cooked through and golden brown, 5 minutes more. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
Serve the popcorn chicken with ketchup.
Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 274 calories, Carbohydrate 33 grams, Fat 3 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 24 grams, Sugar 2 grams

Tips:

For the best results, use frozen popcorn chicken that is evenly coated in breading.
Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature before cooking the popcorn chicken.
Cook the popcorn chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking to ensure that the popcorn chicken cooks evenly.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will prevent the popcorn chicken from cooking properly.
Serve the popcorn chicken immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Conclusion:

Air-frying popcorn chicken is a quick and easy way to enjoy this delicious snack. Following the tips above, you can make perfect popcorn chicken in your air fryer in just a few minutes. So next time you're craving a crispy, flavorful snack, reach for some frozen popcorn chicken and your air fryer. You won't be disappointed!