Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken is a bite-size chicken that cooks fast and taste even better than takeout when made in your air fryer. This chicken is golden, crunchy, and juicy all at the same time! It can easily be made gluten-free too!
On a busy weeknight or even a snack item, plus perfect for picky eaters this Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken comes together quickly and is much better than deep frying!
What you’ll love about this recipe:
- Crispy texture without deep frying.
- Ready in less than 20 minutes.
- Kid-Friendly and Family-Friendly!
- Customize with your favorite seasonings or dipping sauces.
- Make gluten-free if needed!
Ingredients for Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken:
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast
- Gluten-Free or Regular All-Purpose Flour
- Cornstarch
- Garlic Powder
- Onion Powder
- Paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
- Buttermilk
- Large Eggs
- Olive Oil
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- In a medium-size bowl, marinate the chicken in buttermilk and set aside.
- Combine in a separate medium-size bowl, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and flour.
- In a small bowl, whisk the eggs.
- In another small bowl, add the cornstarch.
- Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, shaking off the excess milk.
- Roll chicken in the cornstarch.
- Dip chicken in the egg wash.
- Finally, add the chicken to the flour mixture and shake off the excess.
- Lightly coat the air fryer with a cooking spray of your choice, we prefer olive oil.
- Set the air fryer to 390 degrees F and place the chicken evenly in the basket.
- Cook for 5-10 minutes, depending on your air fryer it can vary. It needs to reach an internal temp of at least 165 degrees F.
- It works best to shake the chicken or turn it halfway through the cooking time and coat it with additional olive oil.
- Serve.
How do you make Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken into a gluten-free version?
The only thing needed to make this gluten-free is a simple swap of flour, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour that is a 1:1 flour. We typically use King Arthur Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour. It is very important to use a high-quality gluten-free flour.
All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free; however, ALWAYS check all ingredients to be sure that no cross-contamination has occurred.
Tips for Making Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken:
This best served right out of the air fryer, it may take a few different batches to get it all done. It’s also best to really coat this well with a cooking spray of your choice.
Personally, I prefer Olive Oil Cooking Spray; however, you can use a higher smoke point oil like grapeseed or coconut.
It’s best to check the chicken about halfway through the cooking time and flip it if needed or just shake the basket a bit.
At that point, I like to coat it again with spray so that it isn’t floury, any spot you see a floury texture, add a little bit of olive oil cooking spray and it will make it crispy.
The internal temperature should be at least 165 degrees F to be considered done, this is best checked with a meat thermometer.
- Do not overcrowd the basket, cook in batches.
- Spray with olive oil spray to get the golden, crispy texture.
- Evenly cut the chicken for the best even cooking.
- Turn or shake halfway through cooking for even browning.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
- Chicken thighs will work too and they are even more juicy than chicken breast.
Best Serving Suggestions:
Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken is wonderful paired with Air Fryer Tater Tots for a simple, quick meal!
If you enjoyed these Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Nuggets or Air Fryer Barbecue Chicken Nuggets, you will really love this Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken.
- Ranch Dressing
- Honey Mustard
- BBQ Sauce
- Buffalo Sauce
- Ketchup
- Mustard
Storage Suggestions:
Once fully cooled, store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When ready to reheat, heat at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes. Lightly coat with olive oil spray to restore crispness.
Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken is a go-to recipe that you’ll always keep on hand to be able to make for a quick weeknight meal, plus your picky eaters will enjoy it too!
Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
Ingredients
- 1-2 Pounds Chicken Breast Cut into 1-Inch Pieces
- 1/2 Cup Gluten-Free or Regular All-Purpose Flour
- 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
- 2 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 Tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Paprika
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1/2 Tsp Pepper
- 1/4 Cup Buttermilk
- 2 Large Eggs
- Olive Oil
Instructions
- In a medium-size bowl, marinate the chicken in buttermilk and set aside.
- Combine in a separate medium-size bowl, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and flour.
- In a small bowl, whisk the eggs.
- In another small bowl, add the cornstarch.
- Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, shaking off the excess milk.
- Roll chicken in the cornstarch.
- Dip chicken in the egg wash.
- Finally, add the chicken to the flour mixture and shake off the excess.
- Lightly coat the air fryer with a cooking spray of your choice, we prefer olive oil.
- Set the air fryer to 390°F and place the chicken evenly in the basket.
- Cook for 5-10 minutes, depending on your air fryer it can vary. It needs to reach an internal temp of at least 165°F.
- It works best to shake the chicken or turn it halfway through the cooking time and coat it with additional olive oil.
- Serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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