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A close-up of golden-brown crispy popcorn chicken pieces arranged on a rustic white plate, garnished with fresh parsley. The chicken has a crunchy, textured coating with visible seasoning, served alongside a small dish of dipping sauce on a wooden table with natural daylight highlighting the textures and colors.

Crispy Baked Popcorn Chicken for Easy Weeknight Dinners

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Super crispy baked popcorn chicken, cooked to perfection with a crunchy coating and tender interior, ideal for a quick and satisfying dinner.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb chicken tenders or cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup popcorn kernels
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooking spray or olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
  2. Pop the popcorn kernels using an air popper or stove method, then crush slightly to create smaller pieces.
  3. In a bowl, mix panko bread crumbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  4. Set up a breading station with bowls for flour, beaten eggs, and seasoned bread crumbs.
  5. Dip chicken pieces in flour, then eggs, then coated with bread crumbs. Repeat with remaining pieces.
  6. Place breaded chicken on the prepared baking sheet and spray lightly with cooking spray.
  7. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through.

Notes

  • For extra crunch, sprinkle with additional popcorn crumbs before baking.
  • Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like honey mustard or spicy ranch.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Healthy, Oven-baked

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 oz
  • Calories: 290 Kcal
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 450mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 2g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 22g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg