KFC Popcorn Chicken Recipe
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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.
Table of Contents
Why you need to try this fake away recipe
This KFC Popcorn Chicken is 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 chicken recipes; Crispy Chilli Chicken (Healthy Fakeaway Chinese), Peri Peri Chicken Wings (Nandos Fakeaway) and Chicken Vermicelli Noodles.
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 and 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.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
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.
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 (Image 1).
- Next, combine the flour, cornflour, remaining paprika, onion & garlic powder on a plate (Image 2).
3. Roll the marinated chicken pieces through the mix (Image 3).
4. Place the coated chicken pieces onto a parchment lined baking tray so that they’re ready to fry (Image 4).
5. 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 (Image 5).
6. 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 (Image 6).
7. Remove from the pan and place on a paper towel (Image 7).
8. 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 (Image 8). Enjoy with ketchup or mayonnaise!
Tips for the best result
Preheat your oil
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.
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.
Try these Airfryer chicken recipes : Chicken Goujons (Healthy and Homemade) and Easy Spicy Chicken Sandwich
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.
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 recipe you should try; Chicken Thigh Curry, Chicken and Chorizo Paella and Peanut Butter Chicken Satay Curry
FAQs
Yes you can use chicken thighs. Ensure you remove the skin and cut in bite size pieces. The thigh meat will take slightly longer to cook.
This recipe is high in protein and you can add nutrients by serving with some tender stem broccoli, spinach or a healthy salad.
Yes you can freeze, in an airtight container.
If you tried this KFC Popcorn Chicken recipe, it would be mean so much to me if you could leave a review & a star rating to let me know how you found it! I love hearing about your experiences – it motivates me to keep creating more and more recipes for you guys 💛 Let’s get cooking! – Mimi x
KFC Popcorn Chicken Recipe
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!
Notes
- Preheat oil until it shimmers and sizzles when a piece of chicken is added.
- Salt food immediately after frying for the best binding.
- Keep fried food warm on a tray in a preheated oven and avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure crispiness.
Nutrition
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