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air fryer popcorn chicken

Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Appetizer, Snacks
Cuisine: American
Calories: 310
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs chicken breast or thighs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce
  • Breading
  • 1 cup flour
  • ½ cup panko
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Air Frying
  • Olive oil spray

Method
 

  1. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces.
  2. Mix buttermilk + hot sauce; add chicken and marinate 10–30 minutes.
  3. Combine flour, panko, cornstarch, and spices.
  4. Coat chicken pieces in the breading.
  5. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
  6. Spray basket; arrange chicken in one layer.
  7. Spray chicken generously.
  8. Air fry 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway.
  9. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces.

Notes

  • Don’t skip the oil spray or your coating won’t crisp.
  • Marinating makes the chicken tender — even a short 10 minutes helps.
  • Flip halfway to avoid soggy bottoms.
  • Use thighs for extra juicy popcorn chicken.