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Home » Recipes » Appetizer & Sides

KFC Style Spicy Popcorn Chicken

Modified: Jan 9, 2025 · Published: Mar 29, 2019 by Qashang · This post may contain affiliate links.

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Pinterest Graphic for crispy homemade popcorn chicken

Nothing can beat homemade Spicy Popcorn Chicken! This addicting snack is of course inspired by KFC's famous appetizer. It is crunchy, succulent and very, very addicting. Chunks of boneless chicken are drenched in a mildly spicy batter and deep-fried for a deliciously crispy, flaky finish.

Popcorn chicken in a fries basket garnished with lettuce.

Popcorn Chicken is so irresistible. Don't you agree? And I find it way better than chicken nuggets. This appetizer is a favorite with both adults and kids.

The best part about this recipe is that it is freezer-friendly. Make a whole batch and fry whenever required. Next time you are craving it, no need to rush to KFC. And while you are at it, why not add my KFC Crispy Chicken Burger to your menu too!

You can also turn these fried chicken pieces into an irresistible Asian takeout dish by adding them to my honey sriracha sauce!

Popcorn chicken in a fries basket on a platter of shredded lettuce with a dip on the side.

How To Make Spicy Popcorn Chicken

  1. Marinate the chicken: Combine marinade ingredients, rub over chicken, and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Prepare batter: Mix flour, cornflour, baking powder, sriracha, and milk until medium consistency. Season additional flour with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  3. Coat chicken: Mix marinated chicken with batter, then coat each piece in seasoned flour, pressing for a flaky finish.
  4. Fry and serve: Deep-fry chicken in batches on medium heat until golden brown and cooked through. Serve hot with your favorite dip!

Cooking Methods

  1. Deep-fry: Simply heat up a pot of neutral oil. Then fry the chicken in batches on medium-high heat.
  2. Air-fry: Preheat your air fryer. Place the popcorn chicken in a single layer and spray with oil. Cook for 10-15 minutes at 200 C till golden and cooked through. Flip halfway to get an an even colour on them.
  3. Bake: Preheat the oven. Line the tray with baking sheet and put the popcorn chicken without overcrowding. Spray with oil. Bake at 200 C for 15 minutes, flip over and then bake for another 10-15 minutes. 

Storage & Freezing

  • After dredging the chicken pieces with flour, put them on a tray without touching. 
  • When they are frozen, transfer to a ziplock bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
Chicken pieces with sliced lettuce in a fryer basket on a serving tray

Serving Ideas

Serve your KFC-style spicy popcorn chicken as a crowd-pleasing appetizer with an array of dipping sauces like ranch, BBQ, or sweet chili.

They’re perfect for party platters, game-day snacks, or as a fun addition to movie nights.

For a complete meal, pair with crispy French fries, coleslaw, or a crisp green salad.

FAQs

How can I make popcorn chicken less spicy?

Simply reduce the amount of sriracha and red chili powder in the batter and seasoning.

Can I marinate the chicken overnight?

Absolutely! Marinating overnight enhances the flavors even more.

More Appetizers You Might Like

  • Dynamite Shrimp
  • Potato and Cheese Balls
  • Chicken & Mushroom Vol Au Vent
  • Spicy Fish Nuggets

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📖 Recipe

Homemade popcorn chicken in mini fryer basket garnished with broken up lettuce

Crispy Homemade Popcorn Chicken

Crunchy, juicy bites of chicken inspired by KFC. This appetizer is a family favourite.
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Prep Time: 30 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 45 minutes mins
Servings: 2
Author: Qashang

Ingredients

  • 300 g boneless chicken cut in bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon tomato ketchup
  • ½ teaspoon red chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¾ teaspoon or to taste salt

FOR THE BATTER

  • 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoon cornflour
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce
  • cold milk as required

FOR THE COATING

  • ¾ cup flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon grounded black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika powder
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Instructions

  • Combine all the marinade ingredients and rub over the chicken pieces. Put aside to marinate for at least 30 mins.
  • Mix the flour, cornflour, baking powder and sriracha together. Add enough milk to make a batter of medium consistency.
  • Season the flour with salt, black pepper and paprika.
  • Pour the batter into the chicken and mix well.
  • Pick one chicken piece at a time and coat well with the flour mix. Keep pressing with your fingers while you do it, this will give the flaky finish.
  • Heat oil for deep-frying. Fry the chicken on medium-heat in batches, don't crowd the pan/fryer. Take out when the chicken is golden-brown and cooked through.
  • Enjoy hot with your favourite dip!

Nutrition

Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 1641mg | Potassium: 681mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 622IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 4mg
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a star rating and a review in the comments. You can also tag @chilitochoc on Instagram. I love hearing your feedback!

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Pinterest Graphic for crispy homemade popcorn chicken.

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Hi, I am Qashang! I share fuss-free recipes from around the world that are rich in flavour and made with easily available ingredients.

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