4.85 from 13 votes

KFC Popcorn Chicken Recipe

Jump to Recipe
Try this fakeaway KFC popcorn chicken recipe for a quarter of the price and flavours that elevate the chicken to a new level.
Prep time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
£0.93
Makes: 5
mains, Snack
American

Table of Contents

  1. Why you need to try this fakeaway recipe
  2. Ingredients
  3. Why you should marinate your chicken
  4. How to make popcorn chicken
  5. Tips for the best result
  6. Alternative cooking methods
  7. Reheat/ Storage
4.85 from 13 votes

KFC Popcorn Chicken Recipe

Jump to Recipe
Try this fakeaway KFC popcorn chicken recipe for a quarter of the price and flavours that elevate the chicken to a new level.
Prep time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
£0.93
Makes: 5
mains, Snack
American

Why you need to try this fakeaway recipe

This KFC popcorn chicken recipe has everything to satisfy that southern fried chicken craving. If you’re loyal to KFC and think that you couldn’t possibly make your favourite fast-food chicken dish at home, then think again. 

It’s crispy, salty, spicy and comforting, whilst also being surprisingly healthy and easy to make. The tenderized chicken is pan-fried in seasoned flour, which results in a delicious batter that, in my opinion, is superior to KFC’s recipe. 

As we’re making it at home, the recipe is even more affordable. One portion is  £0.93 making it a quarter of the price of KFC! 

Plus as we’re pan-frying instead of deep-frying, as well as adding a reduced level of salt, it’s a healthier take on the southern fried chicken we get from KFC.

Hopefully I’ve convinced you now! After you’ve devoured this recipe, you should try out my other fakeaway recipes:

Close up of pieces of KFC popcorn chicken on a stainless steel baking tray.

Ingredients

Chicken breast

Chicken breast is the best cut of chicken to use for this popcorn chicken recipe. It’s what KFC use and if you’re worried about it drying out – have no fear, we tenderize it which ensures the juiciest, most flavourful chicken. 

Greek Yogurt 

Typically popcorn chicken recipes use buttermilk, which you can most certainly use. I thought that it was more accessible though to use Greek yogurt and the end result is the same. 

Flour/ Cornflour

All purpose/plain flour is the batter/coating to our KTC popcorn chicken. I combine a small amount of cornflour too, as I love incorporating it in any sort of fried chicken recipe. 

Onion powder, garlic powder & paprika 

You can get creative here with your seasonings, but I stuck to typical fried chicken flavours. If you want more of a spicy popcorn chicken vibe, add cayenne pepper or chilli powder into your flour mix. 

Fine/ table salt 

Opt for fine salt/table salt when salting your chicken after frying. I find it binds to the chicken better than using flakey salt or sea salt. 

Ingredients to make KFC popcorn chicken laid out on a pale blue background and labelled.

Why you should marinate your chicken

Marinating your chicken in a dairy product such as yogurt, buttermilk, milk (with lemon juice) tenderizes the meat. 

This results in the best texture, most juicy, tender meat that you can get, perfect for your KFC popcorn chicken. It’s especially important with chicken breast, as it’s a leaner meat as with the reduced level of fat, it can easily dry out. 

Close up of KFC chicken pieces in a blue dish with tomato ketchup served in a smaller glass bowl on the same plate.

How to make popcorn chicken

To make the KFC popcorn chicken, start by combining the Greek yogurt with half of the paprika (1 tsp) until incorporated. Stir the diced chicken into the bowl and cover with cling film. Pop in the fridge for a minimum of 1 hour, preferably 2-3.

Chicken pieces marinated in Greek yogurt and paprika in a glass bowl with a black spoon.
Next, combine the flour, cornflour, remaining paprika, onion & garlic powder on a plate.

Paprika, onion powder, garlic powder and flour on a blue plate.
Roll the marinated chicken pieces through the mix.

Chicken piece rolled in the flour/spices mixture with a fork in a blue next to the bowl of marinated chicken in a glass bowl.
Place the coated chicken pieces onto a parchment lined baking tray so that they’re ready to fry.

kfc popcorn chicken pieces coated with flour/spice mix on parchment paper on a baking tray.
Add the rapeseed oil to a large/wide frying pan on a high heat. Allow the oil to preheat before placing one tester piece to check if the oil is hot enough. If the chicken sizzles, your pan is hot enough.

kfc popcorn chicken pieces coated with flour/spice mix frying in a black pan with oil.
Fry the chicken in batches, ensuring they’re well-spaced and not touching. Fry for 2 minutes and then rotate and fry for another 2 minutes.

Fried and browned kfc popcorn chicken pieces in a black pan with oil.
Remove from the pan and place on a paper towel. Season with fine salt as soon as they’re off the heat. Keep on a warming plate (in a preheated oven 100 C) until all of the batches have been fried.

Fried and browned KFC chicken on kitchen roll on a baking tray.
Enjoy with ketchup, BBQ or mayonnaise!

Tips for the best result

Preheat your oil 

You want to make sure that the oil is hot enough, before adding a whole batch of the chicken into the pan. If it’s not, the batter won’t cling to the KFC popcorn chicken in the same way. It will also cook quicker which prevents the chicken from drying out. 

To preheat, leave the oil on a high heat, until it starts to shimmer. Add one piece of chicken into the pan and you should hear a nice sizzle, if it’s not hot enough, there will be practically no sizzle. 

Salt immediately after frying

Salt binds to hot foods the best, so we want to season immediately after coming out of the pan. 

Have a warming plate whilst you fry other batches

Preheat your oven to 210°F (100°C)   and add the popcorn chicken onto a tray whilst you fry the remaining batches. 

Use multiple pans to fry with 

Alternatively, if you want to be able to try two batches at a time, use two frying pans to speed up the process. 

Don’t crowd the pan! 

Adding two many pieces into the pan at once will prevent crispiness, as the pieces will steam together in the pan. 

Close up of a pop corn chicken piece on fork with tomato ketchup over plateful of chicken pieces faded from view with tomato ketchup.

Alternative cooking methods

To air-fry:  To make Air fryer popcorn chicken, preheat the Air fryer to 390°F (200°C).  Spray batches with oil and cook for 5 minutes (check golden brown and fully cooked.

To bake in the oven: To make in the oven, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Evenly distribute the popcorn chicken across a parchment lined baking tray. Spray with oil and pop in the oven for 3 minutes. After 3 minutes, rotate and spray the other side. Pop in the oven again for another 3 minutes or until fully cooked.

KFC pop corn chicken pieces served in a blue dish with tomato ketchup in a smaller glass dish on same plate.

Reheat/ Storage

This recipe is best served fresh, as you get the most desirable/ KFC-like texture when doing so. However, if you make a full batch and want to divide it into portions to spread across the week, here’s how I’ve done it before. 

Preheat a non-stick frying pan on a high heat, add the popcorn chicken into the pan with a spray or two of neutral oil (I used rapeseed). Fry for around 2 minutes and serve once crispy and hot. We don’t want to overcook the chicken and dry it out!

Other chicken recipes you should try 

Chicken Thigh Curry  Chicken and Chorizo Paella Peanut Butter Chicken Satay Curry  Golden browned Popcorn chicken on parchment paper on a stainless steel baking tray with a small bowl of tomato ketchup on a yellow background..

KFC Popcorn Chicken Recipe

Print Pin It
4.85 from 13 votes
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
£0.93
mains, Snack
American
Servings: 5
Try this fakeaway KFC popcorn chicken recipe for a quarter of the price and flavours that elevate the chicken to a new level.

Ingredients

  • 600 g chicken breast, cut into small chucks (around 2 cm) (£3.80)
  • 250 g Greek yogurt (£0.85)
  • 200 g plain flour
  • 3 tbsp cornflour

Seasoning

  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • Salt & Pepper
  • 4 tbsp rapeseed oil

Method

  • Combine the Greek yogurt with half of the paprika (1 tsp) until incorporated. Stir the diced chicken into the bowl and cover with cling film. Pop in the fridge for a minimum of 1 hour, preferably 2-3 hrs. 
  • Next, combine the flour, cornflour, remaining paprika, onion and garlic powder on a plate. Roll the marinated chicken pieces through the mix and place onto a parchment lined baking tray, so that they’re ready to fry. 
  • Add the rapeseed oil to a large/wide frying pan on a high heat. Allow the oil to preheat before placing one tester piece to check if the oil is hot enough. If the chicken sizzles, your pan is hot enough. 
  • Fry the chicken in batches, ensuring they’re well-spaced and not touching. Fry for 2 minutes and then rotate and fry for another 2 minutes. 
  • Remove from the pan and place on a paper towel. Season with fine salt, as soon as they’re off the heat. Keep on a warming plate in a pre heated oven 210°F (100°C) until all of the batches have been fried. 
  • Enjoy with ketchup, BBQ sauce or mayonnaise!
    16:9

Nutrition

Servings: 5 servings
Fat: 17g
Calories: 390kcal
Carbohydrates: 19g
Protein: 33g
Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @BeatTheBudget or tag #beatthebudget!

Leave a comment and a rating!

Thank you so much for trying my recipe! I hope you loved it. I’d be so grateful if you could leave a comment/rating - it makes my day hearing your feedback!

Recipe Rating




Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Weekly meal plans with a £20 budget
  • 50+ exclusive recipes
  • Personal dashboard
  • Exclusive step by step videos
  • Shopping list tools

JOIN NOW LEARN MORE

Never miss a recipe!

Sign up to my weekly newsletter to get all of Beat the Budget's recent recipes, so you never miss out!

Development Alchemy + Aim