Who doesn’t love crispy, saucy popcorn chicken? This Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken is a perfect combination of crunchy coating and a sticky, sweet, tangy sauce. It’s easy to make, kid-friendly, and perfect for a cozy dinner or party snack. Pair it with chips, rice, or a fresh salad for a meal everyone will rave about. Let’s dive into this quick and delicious recipe!
Method
Prep the Chicken
Start by cutting the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces to ensure they cook evenly and are easy to eat. Once cubed, place the chicken pieces in a bowl and coat them thoroughly with cornflour. This initial coating helps the seasoning and the crispy outer layer adhere better while also giving the chicken a light, crispy texture once cooked.
Make the Seasoned Coating
In a separate bowl, prepare the crunchy coating by mixing crushed cornflakes with a blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. The cornflakes give the chicken its signature crunch, while the spices infuse the coating with a deep, savory flavor. Be sure the mixture is well combined so that every bite has an even distribution of seasoning.
Coat the Chicken
Next, take each piece of chicken and dip it into the whisked egg, ensuring it is fully covered. This egg layer helps the cornflake mixture stick to the chicken more effectively. Immediately after dipping, roll the chicken pieces in the seasoned cornflake mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres well. Repeat this process until all the chicken pieces are evenly coated and ready for cooking.
Cook the Chicken
For cooking, place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Set the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) and cook for 8 minutes. After this, flip each piece carefully using tongs to ensure both sides cook evenly, and continue cooking for another 7–10 minutes until the chicken turns golden brown and crispy. If using an oven instead, preheat it to the same temperature and bake the chicken for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through to achieve the same crispy texture.
Prepare the Sauce
While the chicken is cooking, it’s time to prepare the sticky honey BBQ sauce. In a small non-stick pan over medium heat, combine BBQ sauce, honey, water, Frank’s Red Hot sauce, and tomato purée. Stir the mixture gently with a whisk, allowing the flavors to meld together. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens and develops a rich, sticky texture. Be cautious not to let the sauce burn by keeping the heat at a medium level.
Coat the Chicken
Once the chicken is fully cooked and perfectly crispy, transfer it to a large mixing bowl. Pour the warm honey BBQ sauce over the chicken pieces and gently toss until every piece is evenly coated. Make sure all sides are covered in the sauce, enhancing both the flavor and the glossy appearance of the popcorn chicken.
Serve and Enjoy
Your Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken is now ready to serve! Plate it while still hot and enjoy it with your favorite sides such as crispy potato wedges, coleslaw, or a fresh green salad. It’s also perfect as an appetizer, served alongside dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese. For a fun twist, you can add these flavorful bites to wraps or tacos.
Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken
Equipment
- Air fryer or oven
- Mixing bowls
- Non-stick pan (for the sauce)
- Whisk
- Tongs
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 300 g chicken breast cubed
- 60 g cornflakes crushed
- 1 whisked egg
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Sauce:
- 5 tbsp BBQ sauce
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp Frank’s Red Hot sauce
- 1 tbsp tomato purée
Instructions
- Step 1: Prep the Chicken.
- Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, coat the chicken with cornflour to ensure an even coating.
- Step 2: Make the Seasoned Coating.
- In a separate bowl, mix the crushed cornflakes with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Step 3: Coat the Chicken.
- Dip each chicken piece into the whisked egg, then into the cornflake mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Repeat until all the chicken is coated.
- Step 4: Cook the Chicken.
- Place the coated chicken in an air fryer and cook at 180°C (350°F) for 8 minutes. Flip the chicken pieces and cook for another 7-10 minutes until golden and crispy. If you’re using an oven, bake at the same temperature for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Step 5: Prepare the Sauce.
- While the chicken is cooking, combine the BBQ sauce, honey, water, hot sauce, and tomato purée in a small pan. Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes sticky.
- Step 6: Coat the Chicken.
- Once the chicken is cooked, toss it in the warm honey BBQ sauce until evenly coated.
- Step 7: Serve and Enjoy.
- Serve the Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken hot with your favorite sides!
Notes
- Even Coating: Make sure the chicken pieces are evenly coated in the egg and cornflake mixture for a consistent crunch.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Spread the chicken pieces out to ensure they cook evenly.
- Monitor the Sauce: Simmer the sauce gently to prevent it from burning.
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with crispy potato wedges, coleslaw, or a simple green salad.
- Serve as a party appetizer with a side of ranch or blue cheese dip.
- Add to wraps or tacos for a fun twist.
Fun Fact
Did you know the term “popcorn chicken” was first popularized by fast-food chains in the 1990s? The bite-sized pieces were designed to be as easy to eat as popcorn, and they quickly became a global favorite.
Conclusion
This Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken is the ultimate comfort food with a flavorful twist. Whether you’re whipping it up for a family dinner or serving it as a party snack, it’s guaranteed to be a hit. The crispy coating and sticky sauce are a match made in food heaven! Give it a try and let me know what you think—extra sauce for dipping is always a good idea. 🍗✨