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Crispy air fryer popcorn chicken served in a bowl with dipping sauce

Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken

Enjoy crispy and tender Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken, perfect for game day, family dinners, or as a snack. Quick to prepare and full of flavor, this healthier version of fried chicken will leave everyone asking for seconds.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken Preparation
  • 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup buttermilk For soaking the chicken
Coating Mixture
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) Adjust for desired spiciness
Cooking Spray
  • as needed cooking spray For coating the chicken before cooking

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a bowl, soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.
  2. In another bowl, mix flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Cooking
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Remove chicken from buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off, and coat it in the flour mixture.
  3. Place the coated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray lightly with cooking spray.
  4. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through for even cooking, until chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
  5. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in buttermilk overnight if you have the time. Make sure to coat the chicken pieces evenly for the best results. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary for even cooking.