Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken Recipe

Air fryer popcorn chicken on a white plate.

This recipe for homemade air fryer popcorn chicken is a family favorite. These crispy, juicy, bite-sized nuggets are a guaranteed hit with the kids, and as a busy parent, I love how incredibly quick and easy they are to make.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Servings Servings

Calories 283.1kcal

Author Eliza

Equipment

Ingredients

1 lb chicken breast
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1½ cups Panko breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chicken seasoning rub see notes for a homemade option

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Pat chicken breast dry, and dice into bite sized pieces, approximately 1-inch/ 2cm in size.
Toss the chicken pieces in a bowl with the seasoning, then add the mayonnaise, and toss again to coat.
Place breadcrumbs in a separate large shallow bowl. Working in batches, transfer a few of the chicken pieces to the breadcrumbs, pressing them in until well coated. Transfer to a plate, and repeat until all the chicken is crumbed.
Preheat air fryer to 360°F/ 180°C. Then place the popcorn chicken into the air fryer basket, ensuring there is space between each piece [Note 2]. You may need to cook the chicken in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
Air fry the popcorn chicken for around 8-12 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through [Note 3]. Flip the chicken over halfway through cooking if required for your air fryer.

Notes

Homemade seasoning rub recipe: 2 teaspoons paprika, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder.
If food tends to stick to your air fryer, spritz the basket with oil or use an air fryer liner before placing the chicken in.
Use an instant-read thermometer to test the internal temperature in the thickest part to ensure it has reached at least 165°F/ 74°C.

Nutrition