{"id":5836,"date":"2024-11-19T07:53:15","date_gmt":"2024-11-18T20:53:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dinnertimesomewhere.com\/?p=5836"},"modified":"2025-10-23T14:47:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T03:47:14","slug":"spicy-popcorn-chicken","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dinnertimesomewhere.com\/index.php\/appetizers-and-snacks-recipes\/poultry-appetizers\/spicy-popcorn-chicken\/","title":{"rendered":"Spicy Popcorn Chicken"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This famous Fried Chicken treat, popularized by KFC is a fan favorite all around the world. Most people would have a fond memory of powering down these bite-sized Chicken treats as a kid (or an adult) with gusto. Our version of this famous treat ramps up the flavor significantly, and we add a little bit of a kick along the way. One thing is for certain, our Spicy Popcorn Chicken recipe tastes amazing and much better than anything you can get from any fast food place. The flavors are rich, and the texture of the Chicken is so amazing and crispy!

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We pack so much flavor into our Spicy Popcorn Chicken<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can load up Fried Chicken with a ridiculous amount of flavor. The trick to achieving big flavored Fried Chicken is by seasoning the brine, and the breading. A typical Fried Chicken will go through a Buttermilk Brine for a few hours before it is coated. By seasoning the Brine, you are not only tenderizing the Chicken, but marinating in in flavor

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To first make the brine, add a few cups of Whole Milk into a large bowl then squeeze in some Lemon Juice. The Lemon Juice will essentially \u2018curdle\u2019 the Milk, which turns it into Buttermilk! Yep! No need to drop more coin at the supermarket to buy Buttermilk. You can simply make it at home by following this method

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There is so much flavor in this Chicken, as we season both the Brine and the Breading. That’s the secret to the best tasting Fried Chicken!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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To season the Brine, we use a classic flavor combination of Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, and a generous amount of Salt. Along with the spices, add a generous amount of Cayenne Pepper and some Paprika for some heat. Then, allow your Chicken pieces to swim in this beautiful brine for 2 hours (preferably overnight) to absorb those ridiculous flavors

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Don\u2019t forget to Season your Breading for even more flavor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The second opportunity for adding flavor to our Spicy Popcorn Chicken is in the breading. Along with AP Flour and Corn Starch, add more of the same spice combination from the brine (Garlic, Onion, Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, and Salt) and mix it well through

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By seasoning both the brine and the breading you will add so much depth of flavor to the Chicken. Each bite will be loaded with flavor, and you will notice a significant difference in taste. The combination of Salt, Onion Powder, and Garlic Powder is such a revelation. Notice how great it tastes and then you\u2019ll start adding it to every dish you make at home, guaranteed!

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We double coat our Spicy Popcorn Chicken in Breading, which results in the most crispy Fried Chicken you’ve ever eaten<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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For the crispiest Fried Chicken, double dip it!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The double-dip method is a tried and tested technique to achieve the crispiest Fried Chicken possible. It\u2019s a very simple process where instead of coating the Chicken once in the breading, you do it twice. Take the Chicken pieces from the Brine and dip them into the Breading. Then, dip them back into the Brine (to give it another layer of sticky stuff for the breading to cling to), and then back into the Breading for one more dip

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This process gives the Breading a thicker, more even coating. It also helps to give some gnarled, funky bits that stick off the Chicken. You know those bits. The ones that don\u2019t necessarily have any Chicken in them but are just deep fried greatness!

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Double Dipping is going to use more flour, so just make sure you make an adequate amount of breading before you start. If you find you\u2019re running out you can always add more. Just be sure to also add additional seasoning if you need to

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To prevent chaos in the kitchen when deep frying, preparation is key<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even to seasoned home cooks and professional chefs alike, deep frying can become a chaotic process. A combination of multiple steps to properly bread and season the food along with dealing with a super-hot pot of Oil can make for stressful times in the kitchen

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We\u2019ve done a load of deep frying here at Dinnertime Somewhere as we\u2019ve been developing our recipes over the years and have gotten a lot better at managing the process. The key to a seamless deep frying experience is all about preparation. There are a few critical steps that you need to ensure your Spicy Popcorn Chicken frying experience will go off seamlessly:

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Whenever you are deep frying food (such as this Fried Chicken recipe) it is important to be prepared in the kitchen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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1. Bread your Chicken in advance of anything touching the fryer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re going to need more space than you think you will when it comes to breading chicken. For the best results when deep frying chicken, we recommend double-dipping the Chicken. This means the Chicken will be coated twice with the breading mixture. This results in a much better coating that is ridiculously crispy

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Double-dipping the Chicken does require more space, and more ingredients naturally. So get all of your Chicken breaded in advance of anything hitting the fryer. Don\u2019t try to manage batch cooking the Chicken while also breading at the same time. It\u2019s way too chaotic! Get the breading all done in advance!

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2. Before you start frying, prepare your straining area<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Straining the perfectly cooked crispy pieces of Popcorn Chicken is as critical a step as breading them or cooking them. Once you take the Chicken out of the hot oil it\u2019s going to be carrying some residual oil with it. We don\u2019t want that to stay on the Chicken as it\u2019ll end up becoming soggy and greasy. No-one wants that!

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To prevent this, you need to strain the cooked Chicken. This is easily done by placing it on a wire rack that is elevated off the ground. This ensures the Oil will drip off the Chicken and below the rack. So, prepare a simple straining station with a wire rack over the top of a sheet pan. Have this ready to go, and within close proximity to the Oil. This will make it super-easy to move the Chicken from the Oil to the strainer

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You can enjoy this Spicy Popcorn Chicken with loads of different sauces, including this simple sauce made with Mayonnaise and Sweet Chili Sauce<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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3. Ensure you have the right utensils<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Removing the Chicken from the Oil can be stressful. You\u2019re getting close to a big pot of liquid that is upwards of 375F in heat. It\u2019s dangerous if you\u2019re not prepared. We cannot recommend enough getting a good quality spider strainer for the job

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Spider strainers are those big disc-like strainers made from metal \/ steel that catch the fried food but allow liquid to pass through it. These are perfect for scooping up your Spicy Popcorn Chicken from the hot oil once it\u2019s cooked

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Not having an appropriate strainer can make for a very difficult, and often dangerous experience of trying to remove the Oil. Don\u2019t try to improvise with other kitchen tools, it is far too risky. If you don\u2019t have a spider strainer the only other tool we can recommend you use is a metal sieve. These aren\u2019t as good, but will allow you to remain safely away from the Oil as you scoop out the Chicken

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4. Always respect the hot oil, even once you\u2019ve removed it from the heat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The last step for appropriate preparation for deep frying is to remember you\u2019re dealing with a very hot cooking element in the hot oil. Our best advice is to always remember it is there, and always respect it. Don\u2019t foolishly move around the kitchen in haste trying to get the food done. You may accidentally knock the oil, which will not end well!

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Simply being aware of it is always the best advice. Keep kids or pets out of the kitchen while you\u2019re cooking with the hot oil. You never know who may just get in the way at the wrong time! Remember, the Oil is going to stay ridiculously hot even once it\u2019s been removed from the heat. Up to a few hours afterwards in fact. Once you\u2019re done, carefully move the Pot with the Oil to the back of your stovetop and out of the way. Allow it to cool before removing the Oil

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