Zesty Chicken Popcorn Bites

Zesty Chicken Popcorn Bites are a crispy, juicy, and flavorful snack or appetizer that everyone will love! Marinated in buttermilk for tenderness, the chicken is breaded in a blend of savory seasonings and air-fried to perfection. Each bite is golden and crispy on the outside with tender, juicy chicken inside. A perfect finger food for parties, game day, or just when you’re craving something delicious. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra kick!

Times:

1. Serve 3–4 people
2. Preparation Time:
   • Marinating the chicken: 30 minutes (or up to overnight)
   • Coating the chicken: ~5 minutes
3. Cooking Time:
   • Air frying: 8–10 minutes
4. Total Time:
   • With marination: ~40–45 minutes (including marinating)
   • Without marination: ~15–20 minutes

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast or thighs – 2 medium, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Buttermilk – 1/2 cup (for marinating)
• Flour – 1/2 cup
• Cornstarch – 2 tablespoons
• Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon
• Paprika – 1 teaspoon
• Cayenne pepper – 1/2 teaspoon (optional for extra heat)
• Salt – 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper – 1/4 teaspoon
• Parmesan cheese – 2 tablespoons, grated (optional)
• Cooking spray – for air frying

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Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken:

• In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with buttermilk. Let it marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight for extra flavor).

2. Prepare the Breading:

• In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese.
• After marinating, coat each chicken piece in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Shake off excess flour.

3. Air Fry the Chicken:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• Place the breaded chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Lightly spray with cooking spray.
• Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

4. Serve:

• Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch, BBQ sauce, or honey mustard.

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Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving – 3–4 pieces):

(Note: Values are based on a typical serving with skinless, boneless chicken breast and standard breading ingredients)

1. Calories: ~180–200 kcal
2. Carbohydrates: ~12g
3. Protein: ~20g
4. Fats: ~7g
   • Saturated Fat: ~1g
5. Fiber: ~1g
6. Sodium: ~400mg (depends on the salt and seasoning used)
7. Sugar: ~1g

Key Notes:

1. Marinating the Chicken:
   • Buttermilk is key to making the chicken extra tender and juicy. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute with a mixture of regular milk and a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice.
2. Seasoning Variations:
   • Customize the seasoning! If you like it spicy, add more cayenne or chili powder. You can also experiment with onion powder, Italian seasoning, or even a squeeze of lemon juice after cooking.
3. Air Fryer Tips:
   • Do not overcrowd the basket. Make sure to leave some space around the chicken pieces for the hot air to circulate, ensuring even crisping.
   • Lightly spraying the chicken with cooking spray helps it achieve a crispy, golden texture.
4. Dips:
   • These crispy chicken bites are perfect for dipping in ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or a spicy mayo sauce.
5. Storage:
   • If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 3–5 minutes to restore their crispiness.