Finest Popcorn Rooster (Higher than KFC!)

Skip the drive-thru and make kfc popcorn hen at dwelling! They’re fantastically golden, extremely crispy, and deliciously juicy on the within, and you can even oven bake them or air fry them.

Craving KFC? Do this do-it-yourself popcorn hen recipe.

They style higher than the quick meals big and make a incredible do-it-yourself appetizer. They prepare dinner in minutes and are so darn addictive.

Desk of Contents

1. Why this recipe works
2. What’s popcorn hen?
3. Substances wanted
4. Methods to make popcorn hen 
5. Methods to make air fryer popcorn hen
6. Recipe suggestions and methods 
7. Taste variations
8. Methods to serve 
9. Storage directions
10. Extra crispy hen recipes
11. Continuously requested questions
12. Popcorn Rooster

Why this recipe works

These fried hen bites could look intimidating, however I promise you, they’re so fast to whip up.

• Straightforward to make at dwelling. You don’t want any particular gear or components to make copycat KFC popcorn hen from scratch.
• Crowd-pleasing appetizer or snack. Who may presumably resist deep-fried crispy hen bites? They’re an ideal finger meals or appetizer for any event, from after-school actions and child’s birthday events to sport nights and cocktail events. 
• Higher than quick meals. By making fried hen bites at dwelling, you’re left in full management of the components, flavors, and vitamins. That’s greater than you possibly can say for the dietary nightmare that’s fast-food fried hen.
• Oven and air fryer choice. You’ll be able to bake this dish or prepare dinner them up within the air fryer: each reduce out a major quantity of the fats whereas attaining MAXIMUM crispiness.

Substances wanted

This crispy popcorn hen are so easy and apart from the buttermilk and seasonings, there isn’t a lot else that’s wanted to make. Here’s what you’ll want:

• Rooster. Rooster breasts are simple to work with and slice into bite-sized items. You too can use boneless hen thighs or hen tenders as an alternative.
• Buttermilk. Coating the hen in buttermilk helps tenderize and infuse the meat with a gentle, tangy taste.
• Salt. To interrupt down the proteins within the meat, providing you with extra tender and juicy outcomes. 
• Corn flour. This super-fine flour is used to coat the hen items. After frying, the corn flour transforms into a lightweight and crisp crust round each bit. In case you don’t have corn flour, use a 1:1 mixture of all goal flour and cornstarch as an alternative.
• Spices. I seasoned the corn flour with smoked paprika, oregano, basil, and mustard powder. Be at liberty to combine and match the herbs and spices to search out your required taste.
• Oil. Use a high-heat oil that’s appropriate for frying, like canola, peanut, sunflower, safflower, corn, grapeseed, or vegetable oil.  

Methods to make popcorn hen 

KFC popcorn hen is simple to make: the one factor to recollect is to discard all of the marinade earlier than frying them up.

Marinate the hen. Toss and marinate the hen items with the buttermilk and salt. In the meantime, whisk the flour and spices collectively in a separate bowl. 

Dredge. Drain the hen and toss the items within the seasoned flour. 

Fry. Fry the hen within the scorching oil till they’re golden and crispy. Switch to a paper towel-lined plate to empty, season with salt, and serve.

Recipe suggestions and methods 

Even-sized items. Minimize the hen into uniform bite-sized items to make sure even cooking and a constant texture.

Fry on the proper temperature. The oil temperature ought to stay between 350ºF to 375°F whereas the hen fries. If it will get too scorching, the coating could burn earlier than the hen is cooked. Too chilly and the hen will grow to be greasy.

Don’t overseason. It’s higher so as to add salt after the popcorn hen is fried as an alternative of beforehand. If it occurs to not be as seasoned as you want, you possibly can at all times add extra as soon as cooked.

Taste variations

Spicy popcorn hen. Add chili powder, cayenne, and/or crushed crimson pepper flakes to the flour combination. 

Garlic parmesan. Add finely grated Parmesan cheese and garlic powder to the flour combination. 

Sizzling honey. Make a batch of scorching honey sauce and toss the hen bites in them as quickly as they’re fried.  

Honey BBQ. Season the flour with BBQ dry rub, then toss the fried bites in your favourite BBQ sauce sweetened with a contact of honey.  

Buffalo. Toss your popcorn hen in traditional buffalo sauce and serve them with blue cheese or ranch dressing on the aspect. 

Methods to serve 

• Dipping Sauce. You’ll be able to’t go flawed with classics like ketchup or BBQ sauce, or one thing enjoyable like a Large Mac sauce or ranch dip.
• Appetizer. Embrace these as enjoyable bites like crab rangoon, Air fryer french fries, or corn nuggets.
• Popcorn hen bowl. Make a scrumptious and more healthy dinner bowl crammed with steamed rice, veggies, and hen bites.

Storage directions

To retailer: After cooling, place the leftover popcorn hen in an hermetic container and retailer it within the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

To freeze: Unfold the cooled hen items on a baking sheet and freeze till they’re strong. Switch the hen to a freezer-safe bag, then freeze for as much as 2 months. Allow them to thaw first or reheat them from frozen.

Extra crispy hen recipes

Continuously requested questions