What ingredients do you need to make popcorn chicken?

A great popcorn chicken recipe starts with simple ingredients: boneless chicken (breast or thigh), buttermilk, flour, cornstarch, eggs, and spices like paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. These basics deliver a crispy coating and juicy inside. You can also add hot sauce or seasoning blends for extra flavor.

What is popcorn chicken seasoned with?

The chicken is usually seasoned in layers first in the marinade, then again in the flour coating. A classic popcorn chicken recipe uses salt, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and sometimes cayenne or oregano. Lisa also recommends mixing a bit of BBQ rub or Parmesan into the coating for bold variations.

Why is KFC popcorn chicken so good?

KFC's popcorn chicken is crispy, tender, and loaded with seasoned flavor. Their secret? A proprietary spice blend and pressure frying. While Lisa’s popcorn chicken recipe doesn’t use pressure fryers, she mimics that crunch with a double dredge method and seasoned flour, delivering similar results in your own kitchen.

How to marinate chicken for popcorn?

To prep your chicken for this popcorn chicken recipe , marinate in buttermilk with garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes or overnight for deeper flavor. The marinade tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with seasoning, setting the stage for crispy perfection.

Popcorn Chicken Recipe – The Best 2025 Homemade Crunch You’ll Love

Name: Popcorn Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into bite-size pieces; 1 cup buttermilk; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp salt; 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour; ½ cup cornstarch; 1 egg (optional); ½ tsp black pepper; Oil for frying

Description

This crispy popcorn chicken recipe is a quick and easy homemade version of a fast-food favorite—juicy inside, golden outside, and packed with bold seasoning.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb boneless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into bite-size pieces
1 cup buttermilk
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 egg (optional)
½ tsp black pepper

Oil for frying

Instructions

In a bowl, mix buttermilk, paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Add chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
In another bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, and black pepper.
Remove chicken from marinade, dredge in flour mixture. For extra crunch, double dredge by dipping back into buttermilk, then flour again.
Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes or until golden and crispy.

Drain on a wire rack and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

Double dredge for extra crisp. Use chicken thighs for juicier texture. Air fryer works too!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Method: Deep Frying, Air Frying, Oven Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chicken breast, honey mustard dipping, tomato sauce, corn