Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken ⋆ 100 Days of Real Food

Name: Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken breast; 1 large egg; 1 cup whole wheat flour; ½ tsp sea salt; ½ tsp ground pepper; olive oil spray

This simple Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken recipe is a healthier, family-friendly alternative to fast food and a fun way to use chicken breast! Ready in just 20 minutes, it's perfect as a main dish for family meals or a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Serve it with your favorite dipping sauce for the ultimate bite!

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

This air fryer popcorn chicken is quick and easy to make.
This recipe takes only 20 minutes from start to finish.
Even picky eaters love this chicken recipe!
Let your air fryer do all the hard work.
The air fryer makes the chicken breading crispy while keeping the meat tender.
This homemade popcorn chicken is versatile. Serve as a party appetizer or for family dinners.
Make this recipe for real food meal prep or keep it as leftovers.
We use our air fryer for everything! Check out our Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets and Air Fryer Chicken Tenders for other easy recipes.

Ingredients & Substitutes

Here are the ingredients and substitutions for this air fryer popcorn chicken recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the entire recipe.

First, we suggest using boneless skinless chicken breast. If you only have chicken thighs, they work well too.

Whisk the egg to create the egg wash.

Whole wheat flour coats the chicken. If you are gluten free, use cassava flour or gluten free flour.

Season with sea salt and pepper. Feel free to add in some onion powder or garlic powder if desired.

Use olive oil spray to make the chicken extra crispy. Avocado oil spray works well, too!

Lastly, serve with your favorite dipping sauces. Try our Homemade Ketchup!

Ingredients for air fryer popcorn chicken.

Taste & Texture

This air fryer popcorn chicken has a crispy coating! The chicken is tender and juicy.

The taste is reminiscent of your favorite fast food restaurant, but without the grease or unhealthy seed oils.

How to Make

Step 1

First, wash and pat chicken dry. Cut into small 1 inch pieces.

Step 2

In a shallow bowl, add the whole wheat flour, sea salt, and pepper. Mix together.

Step 3

In another shallow bowl, whisk the egg.

Step 4

Dip each piece of chicken in the egg wash.

Step 5

Then, dredge through the flour mixture until completely covered.

Step 6

Once coated, place in the air fryer basket. Continue for the remaining chicken. Arrange in one even layer; do not overlap.

Step 7

Spray with olive oil spray. Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Flip the chicken after 5 minutes.

Step 8

Finally, remove the popcorn chicken from the air fryer. Serve with desired dipping sauces!

Expert Tips for Success

Follow these tips and tricks to make the best air fryer popcorn chicken.

Cut the chicken into equally sized pieces. Unevenly sized pieces will cook differently.

Coat the chicken completely in the breading mixture.

Air fry in batches if needed. Do not overlap the popcorn chicken.

Use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the chicken.

Flip over halfway through the cooking time.

Flavor Variations & Add-Ins

Want to switch up the flavors of your air fryer popcorn chicken?

For some heat, add a little cayenne powder to the seasoning mix.

Add garlic powder to the flour mixture for a garlicky taste.

Change up your dipping sauces. Pair with ketchup, BBQ sauce, buffalo wing sauce, Ranch dressing, or steak sauce. We always look for brands with few ingredients and no added sugar.

How to Serve & Store

Serve your crispy air fryer popcorn chicken hot and fresh! Serve with your favorite sauce. Feel free to throw in some Air Fryer Zucchini too!

This chicken is also great on top of salads. We especially love it atop our Kale Caesar Salad!

Or, use this crispy chicken in wraps or sandwiches.

Add it to a bowl with roasted veggies and potatoes for a delicious power bowl. We also love this Air Fryer Filet Mignon!

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat, add back into your air fryer basket for a few minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is it called popcorn chicken?

Popcorn chicken looks like popcorn once it has finished cooking! That's where the name comes from.

Can you put raw chicken in your air fryer?

Yes, you can put raw chicken in your air fryer. Be sure to clean in between uses.

How do you know when chicken is done cooking?

Use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the chicken. It is safe to eat when it has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

How long do you put popcorn chicken in the air fryer?

Popcorn chicken only takes 10 minutes in the air fryer.

Equipment Needed

Ninja Air Fryer: We love this air fryer! It has so many functions.

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If you enjoyed this air fryer popcorn chicken recipe, please leave a rating and comment! For more inspiration, check out my Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. For 5 free weekly meal plans and more free resources, sign up to receive my free newsletter! Check out these Dinner Recipes for more healthy and easy family dinner ideas.