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pile of popcorn chicken on a plate with ranch dressing.
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5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken Recipe

Learn how to make air fryer popcorn chicken with panko crumbs. Kid-friendly dinner.
Prep Time35 minutes
Cook Time13 minutes
Course: Air Fryer, Chicken Recipes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer, chicken
Servings: 20 pieces
Calories: 1370kcal
Author: Trisha Haas - Salty Side Dish

Equipment

  • air fryer In this recipe, we use a Ninja Foodi All In One 6 quart

Ingredients

Marinade

  • 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 egg

Instructions

  • Marinate the Chicken: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 lb. of 1" chicken breast cubes with 1/2 teaspoon each of brown sugar, onion powder, chili powder, and paprika, 1/4 teaspoon each of cumin and cayenne pepper, 1 tablespoon of flour, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 1 egg.
    Mix well to ensure the chicken cubes are evenly coated.
  • Cover the bowl and let it sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to marinate, allowing the flavors to infuse into the chicken.
  • Coat the Chicken: Spread 4 cups of panko bread crumbs into a large Tupperware dish.
    Add the marinated chicken cubes to the panko, cover, and shake well to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated with the bread crumbs.
  • Preheat and Cook: Preheat your air fryer at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Arrange the coated chicken cubes in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch. You might need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
    Lightly spray the chicken with nonstick cooking spray. Cook for 10-13 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown (remember chicken doneness is 165 degrees F) and crispy to your liking.
  • Serve and Enjoy: Serve your crispy air-fried chicken cubes hot with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce. Perfect for a snack, appetizer, or a tasty addition to any meal!

Notes

See full article for other seasoning and marinating ideas.
The number of chicken bites you'll get from 1 lb of chicken cut into 1-inch chunks can vary based on the exact size of each piece and the chicken breast's initial size. However, as a general estimate:
  • If each 1-inch chunk is roughly cubic and considering chicken's density, you might expect to get around 16 to 24 chicken bites per pound. This estimate accounts for some variation in chunk size and the irregular shape of chicken breasts.
Keep in mind this is a rough estimate, and the actual number might be slightly more or less depending on how you cut the chicken.

Nutrition

Serving: 20pieces | Calories: 1370kcal