Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken with Jalapeño Ranch

Crispy popcorn chicken cooked in the air fryer is a great snack or easy meal. Perfect for game day or a quick lunch with jalapeño ranch.

Ingredients

Full popcorn chicken recipe with amounts can be found in the recipe card below. 

• Skinless Chicken breasts. Boneless chicken thighs can also be used.
• Flour. 
• Eggs. 
• Panko breadcrumbs. 
• Smoked paprika. 
• Oregano.
• Garlic powder.
• Salt and pepper. 

For the jalapeño ranch:

• Sour cream. Greek yogurt can be substituted.
• Mayonnaise.
• Jalapeños. 
• Dill.
• Parsley.
• Chives.
• Salt and pepper. 
• Lime juice.

How to make popcorn chicken

1. Bread the chicken: Slice the chicken into bite size chunks. Place the flour, eggs and panko breadcrumbs in separate shallow bowls. Season the flour with salt and pepper. Season the breadcrumbs with the spices. Coat the chicken in the flour, then in the beaten egg and finally in the breadcrumbs mixture. For a thicker coating, repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps.
2. Cook the chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the basket of an air fryer then drizzle or spray with olive oil.
3. How long to air fry popcorn chicken: Cook the chicken at 200ºC/390ºF for 15 minutes, turning half way through.
4. Make the jalapeño ranch: Finely chop the herbs and place in a bowl. Mix in the mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, jalapeños, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
5. Serve: Remove the popcorn chicken from the air fryer then serve with the ranch and lime wedges.

Can I fry popcorn chicken?

Yes! This popcorn chicken recipe can be fried or baked.

1. Frying instructions: To fry the chicken, heat vegetable oil in a pot or dutch oven over medium high heat. Fry the chicken in the hot oil in batches until golden brown and crisp, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain and test a piece of chicken to see if it’s cooked through then remove the fried chicken with a slotted spoon. Allow to drain on a wire rack set over a baking sheet or paper towel. Keep the chicken warm in a hot oven while you fry the remaining chicken.
2. Baking instructions: Place the chicken on a baking sheet in a single layer then drizzle with a little olive oil. Bake the chicken at 220ºC/430ºF for 20 minutes, flipping half way through, until golden and crisp.

What to serve with popcorn chicken

I love serving crispy chicken with a dip or sauce. Fries or potato wedges are also a great side dish.

• Honey-mustard dipping sauce
• Easy oven baked fries
• Easy spicy garlic baked potato wedges

Crispy chicken recipes

1. Crispy chicken sandwich with spicy slaw
2. Airfryer chicken fingers
3. Crispy chicken pops

I always use my Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer when developing air fryer recipes. It is by far the most efficient air fryer I’ve used and the basket size is excellent for a family of 4. This post isn’t sponsored but I am partnered with Instant Pot South Africa.