Buffalo Popcorn Chicken is a great way to devour crunchy, spicy, chicken and is made with pantry-friendly ingredients! It can be served as a fun snack or appetizer or as an easy weeknight dinner with the addition of sides.
You can also make the Popcorn Chicken recipe ahead of time and just cook when ready OR freeze for later so you’re ready for whenever those crunchy and spicy Buffalo Popcorn Chicken cravings strike!
Ingredients:
Marinade
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups buttermilk or sour milk* seen notes for DIY
- 2 tablespoons Beano’s When Buffalos Fly Chicken Wing Sauce
Flour Breading
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour see notes if baking
- 1 TBS EACH chili powder, salt
- 2 tsp EACH paprika, onion powder, garlic powder
- 1 tsp EACH baking powder, pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
For Frying
- Vegetable oil
Directions:
- Whisk buttermilk and wing sauce together in a large bowl. Stir in chicken, cover, and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate for up to 12 hours.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the Flour Breading ingredients.
- Remove the chicken from the buttermilk using a slotted spoon or fork (letting excess buttermilk drip off) and add to the seasoned flour. Toss to evenly coat.
- Remove the chicken from the flour mixture using a DRY slotted spoon or fork and transfer back to buttermilk. Remove chicken from buttermilk and transfer back to seasoned flour and toss to evenly coat for a second coating. You may need to get in there with your hands to break pieces up. Transfer chicken to a baking sheet and let rest.
- Add vegetable oil to a deep frying pan until it reaches 1-1 ½ inches up the sides. You may use less oil, you will just have to flip the chicken halfway through frying. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees F.
- Working in batches, fry the chicken until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes. Transfer cooked chicken to a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
- Top with additional When Buffalos Fly Chicken Wing Sauce and serve with ranch!
