Air Fryer Tyson Popcorn Chicken

Air Fryer Frozen Tyson Popcorn Chicken –Popcorn Chicken Air Fryer is amazing! My kids had a batch of it today for lunch; it is so good!

You will be amazed if you have been looking for the perfect way to make frozen air fryer Tyson popcorn chicken. This recipe can be made in any air fryer, so let’s 

If you didn’t know that cooking frozen foods in the air fryer is the perfect way, some of my favorite recipes are Instant Pot Air Fryer Frozen Steak Fries, Tyson Fun Nuggets In Air Fryer (Dino Nuggets), and Frozen Sweet Potatoes Fries In Instant Pot Air Fryer.

Frozen Tyson Popcorn Chicken

Are you looking for a quick, delicious snack or a versatile meal option? Let’s talk about Frozen Tyson Popcorn Chicken! These bite-sized pieces of chicken are incredibly convenient and packed with flavor. Perfect for those busy days or when you need a tasty treat without the hassle.

Why You Will Love Cooking Tyson’s Frozen Popcorn Chicken In Air Fryer

• Effortless Cooking & Perfect Texture: The air fryer simplifies cooking, always delivering perfectly crispy popcorn chicken. Its rapid air circulation cooks the chicken evenly, ensuring a delightful crunch on the outside while keeping the inside tender and juicy.
• Healthier Option: Air frying requires significantly less oil than traditional deep frying, making Tyson’s Popcorn Chicken a healthier choice without sacrificing the taste and texture you crave. It’s a guilt-free way to enjoy your favorite snack.
• Convenience and Speed: The air fryer is a lifesaver for those busy days or when you need a quick meal or snack. It heats up quickly, and the chicken cooks faster than in an oven, meaning your popcorn chicken is ready in just minutes.
• No Mess, Easy Clean-Up: Air frying is a cleaner cooking method as it doesn’t involve dealing with splattering oil like deep frying. This means less mess in the kitchen and an easier clean-up afterward.
• Versatile and Delicious: You get deliciously cooked popcorn chicken and can easily toss them in your favorite sauces or seasonings right after air frying. They’re perfect for appetizers, party snacks, or as a protein-packed addition to salads and wraps.

Cooking Tyson’s Frozen Popcorn Chicken in an air fryer is not just about convenience and health; it’s about achieving that irresistible taste and texture that makes these bites a crowd-pleaser. It’s a simple, quick, and delicious way to enjoy a classic favorite.

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Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Frozen Tyson Popcorn Chicken

Get set to transform your snack time with the simplest of ingredients for Air Fryer Frozen Tyson Popcorn Chicken. This easy-to-prepare delight promises a perfect blend of convenience and flavor, ensuring a crispy, satisfying treat with minimal effort and maximum enjoyment. Let’s dive into what you’ll need to bring this tasty snack to life!

​Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.

• Frozen Tyson Popcorn Chicken: The star ingredient, these ready-to-cook, breaded chicken pieces are designed for convenience and great taste, offering a delightful crispy texture and juicy chicken in every bite. A common brand is Tyson Any’tizers Popcorn Chicken.
• Cooking Spray (Optional): A light spritz of cooking spray can help achieve an extra crispy exterior on the chicken pieces, though it’s optional since the air fryer already does a great job crisping them up.
• Your Favorite Dipping Sauce: Whether it’s barbecue, honey mustard, ranch, or sweet and sour, having your favorite dipping sauce on hand will enhance the flavor and enjoyment of the popcorn chicken.
• Seasoning (Optional): For those who love extra flavor, a sprinkle of your preferred seasoning, like garlic powder, paprika, or a Cajun mix, can be added after cooking for a personalized touch.

Simple yet satisfying, these ingredients combine in the air fryer to create a quick and delicious snack or meal component, perfect for various occasions and appealing to all ages.

Note: The core ingredient for this recipe is the bag of frozen popcorn chicken. The optional seasonings and dipping sauces allow you to customize the flavor of your popcorn chicken.

How To Make Tyson Popcorn Chicken in The Air Fryer

Making Tyson Popcorn Chicken in an air fryer is a quick and hassle-free process that results in deliciously crispy chicken bites. Here is your step-by-step guide.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees F (200°C) for 2-3 minutes. This step ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and becomes crispy.

Prepare the Basket:

If you choose, lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This is optional as the chicken already contains oil from the breading.

Arrange the Chicken:

Place the frozen Tyson Popcorn Chicken in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding to ensure the chicken pieces cook evenly and get crispy.

You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cook the Chicken:

Air fry the chicken for about 8-10 minutes. Then, shake the basket or use tongs to turn the chicken pieces for even cooking.

Continue to cook for another 7-8 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and heated through. The total cooking time should be around 15-16 minutes, but you should adjust based on your air fryer model and the size of the chicken pieces. For best results, check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer before removing the chicken from the air fryer basket. 

Check for Doneness:

Ensure the chicken is cooked through. The pieces should be crispy on the outside and piping hot inside.

Serve and Enjoy:

Serve the popcorn chicken hot, with dipping sauces such as barbecue, buffalo sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing.

Pro Tips For Cooking Frozen Tyson Chicken In Air Fryer

Cooking Frozen Tyson Chicken in an air fryer can be a breeze while ensuring delicious and crispy results. Here are some pro tips to enhance your cooking experience:

• No Need to Thaw: Cook the chicken straight from the freezer. Thawing is unnecessary and can affect the texture, making the exterior less crispy.
• Preheat the Air Fryer: Although not always necessary, preheating your air fryer can lead to more even cooking and a crispier exterior. Aim for a temperature of around 400°F (200°C). A couple of minutes is all you need.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Place the chicken in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. This allows the hot air to circulate freely around each piece, creating an even crispy texture.
• Shake or Turn Midway: Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket or turn the pieces with tongs. This helps to cook the chicken evenly from all sides.
• Check for Doneness: Ensure the chicken is fully cooked. The exterior should be golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
• Use Cooking Spray Sparingly: If you use cooking spray, do so lightly. Too much can cause the chicken to become soggy. Generally, Tyson’s chicken is pre-seasoned and breaded, so additional oil is often unnecessary.
• Serve Immediately: For the best texture, serve the chicken hot and fresh from the air fryer. The longer it sits, the less crispy it will be.
• Experiment with Flavors: While delicious, toss the cooked chicken in your favorite sauces or seasonings to customize the flavor.
• Cook in Batches for Larger Quantities: If you’re cooking for many people, cook the chicken in batches to maintain the quality of crispiness.
• Keep It Warm: If you need to cook multiple batches, keep the cooked chicken warm in an oven set to a low temperature while you finish air frying the rest.

Following these tips, you’ll enjoy perfectly crispy and delicious Tyson chicken from your air fryer, making for a quick and satisfying meal or snack.

Best Brands Of Frozen Popcorn Chicken

When choosing the best brands of frozen popcorn chicken, several reputable options are available in the market. Keep in mind that personal preferences may vary, but here are some well-regarded brands known for their quality frozen popcorn chicken:

• Tyson: Tyson is a widely recognized brand known for its various chicken products, including frozen popcorn chicken. They offer a range of options, from classic to spicy Tyson popcorn chicken.
• Perdue: Perdue is another trusted name in the poultry industry. They offer frozen popcorn chicken made from high-quality chicken breast meat.
• Foster Farms: Foster Farms is known for its natural and minimally processed chicken products. Their frozen popcorn chicken is often praised for its taste and quality.
• Applegate Farms: If you’re looking for a healthier option, Applegate Farms offers organic and natural frozen popcorn chicken made without artificial ingredients or preservatives.
• Pilgrims: Pilgrims is known for its value-priced frozen chicken products, including popcorn chicken. They provide a budget-friendly option without compromising on flavor.
• Bell & Evans: Bell & Evans is known for its high-quality, antibiotic-free chicken products. Their frozen popcorn chicken is often praised for its taste and texture.
• Member’s Mark (Sam’s Club): Member’s Mark, Sam’s Club’s private label brand, offers frozen popcorn chicken known for its value and flavor.
• Kirkland Signature (Costco): Costco’s private label brand, Kirkland Signature, also offers frozen popcorn chicken that’s well-liked by many customers.

What Is Tyson Popcorn Chicken Made Of?

Tyson Popcorn Chicken is a popular frozen food product known for its convenience and taste. It’s made from the following key components:

• Chicken: The primary ingredient is bite-sized pieces of chicken meat. Tyson typically uses rib meat for their popcorn chicken, known for its lean protein and tender texture.
• Breading: The chicken pieces are coated in a seasoned breading mixture. This usually includes flour, salt, wheat gluten, spices, and seasonings. The breading is what gives the popcorn chicken its crispy texture once cooked.
• Batter: Before being breaded, the chicken is often dipped in a batter containing wheat flour, water, and seasonings. The batter helps the breading adhere to the chicken and adds to the crispy texture.
• Oils: The product may contain vegetable oils, like soybean oil, used in pre-cooking. When you reheat the chicken at home, these oils help achieve a crispy texture.
• Preservatives and Additives: Like many processed foods, Tyson Popcorn Chicken may include various preservatives and additives to enhance flavor, maintain product quality, and prolong shelf life.
• Seasonings and Flavors: The chicken is seasoned with various spices and flavorings, depending on the specific product variant. To enhance taste, these can include onion powder, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and natural flavors.

It’s important to note that the specific ingredients can vary depending on the product line and any changes Tyson might make to their recipes over time. For the most accurate and detailed list of ingredients, it’s always best to check the packaging of the specific Tyson Popcorn Chicken product you purchase. Additionally, Tyson offers different versions of their popcorn chicken, including some that cater to specific dietary preferences, like gluten-free options.

You can serve this chicken alongside some of the most popular Air Fryer Side Dishes, such as Air Fryer French Fry Recipes, Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, Air Fryer Onion Rings, and so much more!

Faq’s Cooking Tyson Popcorn Chicken Air Fryer

Do I need to thaw Tyson Popcorn Chicken before air frying? No, there’s no need to thaw the chicken. It can be cooked directly from frozen, which is convenient and saves time.

What temperature should I set my air fryer to cook Tyson Popcorn Chicken?Typically, setting the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) works well for getting a crispy texture.

How long does it take to cook Tyson Popcorn Chicken in an air fryer? It usually takes about 10-12 minutes for a cook time. However, this can vary depending on your air fryer model and the quantity of chicken.

Do I need to use oil or cooking spray? It’s unnecessary, as the chicken is pre-breaded and contains some oil. However, a light spray can help achieve extra crispiness.

Should I shake or turn the chicken during cooking? Yes, it’s a good idea to shake the basket or turn the chicken pieces halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy all around.

Can I cook other food items along with the popcorn chicken in the air fryer? Yes, but ensure that the cooking times and temperatures are compatible. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.

How do I know when the popcorn chicken is done? The chicken should be golden brown and crispy on the outside. To ensure that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C).

Can I reheat leftovers in the air fryer? Yes, reheating in the air fryer for a few minutes can help retain the crispiness.

Best way to store leftover chicken tenders: Let the cooked chicken nuggets cool to room temperature, and then place them in an airtight container. Tyson Chicken can be kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 days; for best results, reheat in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 400 degrees F or until warmed through.

Is air frying Tyson Popcorn Chicken healthier than deep frying? Air frying is generally healthier as it uses less oil, reducing fat content.

Can I season the chicken before air frying? The chicken is already seasoned, but you can add more seasoning or toss it with sauce after cooking. Serve with french fries, or have them as a great snack. 

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Making frozen Tyson popcorn chicken has never been easier. Delicious popcorn chicken is a great snack, quick lunch, or dinner! You will love this recipe, serve with you favorite dipping sauce.

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