on Oct 13, 2023, Updated Dec 05, 2023 Even if, like me, you’re not a big fan of KFC, there’s no way you can resist their popcorn chicken! Makes for the perfect appetizer, side dish or 5 pm snack, their bite-sized crispy chicken always hits the right spots! We’re going to recreate that same magic at home today! We make everything for this recipe from scratch, including that delicious spice mix that’s very very close to the one you get at KFC. Plus, you can munch on these (almost) guilt-free as they’re wayyy healthier than their original counterparts! I mean we still fry chicken pieces, but since we are making it at home from scratch, we are going to be using fresh ingredients, there is no added MSG, and these things haven’t been frozen and stored for god knows how long! I’m a firm believer that fried food is waaaay healthier if homemade. Ready to get started?!
Here’s What You Need To Make KFC Style Popcorn Chicken
Chicken: Skinless, boneless fresh or frozen chicken pieces. Preferably thigh pieces as they remain more tender and juicy until the end, but you can easily replace it with breast pieces as well. Oil: For frying. Any neutral-flavored oil with a high smoke point such as peanut, canola, sunflower, rice bran, etc. will work. Spices: I have used oregano, chilli powder, salt, and pepper powder to marinate the chicken. This will ensure each bite of this popcorn chicken is full of flavor! Ginger garlic paste: Used as part of the marinadeFlour: All purpose flour as the base to coat the chicken and make it nice and crispy. Buttermilk: Helps tenderise the chicken and keep it soft throughout the frying process. For The Spice Mix: Onion powder, garlic powder, red chilli powder, sugar and oregano
How To Make KFC Style Popcorn Chicken
- Mix all the marinade ingredients in a bowl and rub the mixture evenly over the chicken. Let it marinate for at least half an hour. Season the flour and buttermilk with a pinch of salt and pepper each.
- To start making the popcorn chicken, set up an assembly line. Place the flour and buttermilk next to each other, along with the marinated chicken. Set up a wire rack to place the coated chicken once ready. Lightly coat each piece of marinated chicken with flour.
- Dip it in buttermilk and ensure it is coated well.
- Toss it again in the flour.
- Repeat this process for each piece of chicken and place them on the wire rack.
- Heat oil for deep frying and fry the coated chicken in 2-3 batches on medium heat until the chicken is cooked through and has a light brown outer coating. This will take approximately 5-7 minutes for each batch of chicken.
- . In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients under spice mix. As soon as the chicken is fried, dust the pieces with the prepared spice mix. It’s best to do this while the chicken is still hot to ensure the spices coat the chicken evenly. You can sprinkle the spicy mix over the chicken and toss it while it’s hot.
- Toss and serve the KFC-style popcorn chicken hot with your favourite dipping sauce, such as sriracha mayo or schezwan sauce. Enjoy!
Richa’s Top Tips To Make The Best Popcorn Chicken
Make sure to cut all the chicken pieces of the same size. This will help them cook faster and more evenly.It is important to ensure that the buttermilk you’re using is fresh and not too sour as that may alter the taste of the popcorn chicken. Avoid adding too many pieces of chicken to the pan when frying. Overcrowding the pan will create extra steam in the pan, and prevent the popcorn chicken from becoming crispy.
Get me a bowl of this popcorn chicken + sriracha mayo dipping sauce + couch and I’m the happiest potato in the world. Try it, and you will be too! If you are the kinds who loves your food over-the-top spicy, try this schezwan sauce for dipping and you’ll achieve fire breathing dragon levels. Make this as an appetizer the next time you’re hosting friends or simply as an indulgent 5 pm snack for the family, and I promise you, it’s going to be a sure shot winner!
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