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Air Fryer BBQ Popcorn Chicken

Air Fryer BBQ Popcorn Chicken

5 from 15 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings

Description

Try this quick and crispy Air Fryer BBQ Popcorn Chicken recipe for a delicious snack or appetizer! Bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a tangy BBQ seasoning and air-fried to perfection in under 20 minutes. Perfect for game days, parties, or easy weeknight dinners!

Ingredients 

Popcorn Chicken:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 tablespoon Tabasco sauce, 1
  • 1 large egg

BBQ Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground garlic, garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Start by seasoning your chicken with salt and pepper.  Cut your pieces into 1-inch pieces.
  • Then in a medium-sized bowl, mix the flour and baking powder.
  • In another mixing bowl, blend the buttermilk, tabasco sauce, and egg (combine well) 
  • Dip the chicken into the flour mixture, shake the chicken after you dip it in the flour mixture to get rid of all of the extra flour.
  • Then dip the chicken into the buttermilk mixture, shaking off the excess.
  • Then return the mixture to the flour mixture.
  • As you coat the chicken, either place it in an air fryer basket or Air Fryer tray (both should be sprayed with olive oil, so the chicken doesn't stick, as it is cooking)
  • Once your tray is loaded, being careful not to overcrowd the basket, spray it generously with olive oil spray.
  • Set your air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes, flip them, and cook for another 5 minutes. NOTE: Before you flip them, coat them again with a generous amount of olive oil spray.
  • To prepare the sauce: Mix the ingredients and simmer for about 10 minutes in a small pan.
  • Then add the chicken (cooked) to a large mixing bowl, pour the BBQ sauce over the chicken and toss with tongs to evenly coat.
  • Plate, serve and enjoy!

Equipment

  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 395kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 31gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 126mgSodium: 1728mgPotassium: 711mgFiber: 1gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 680IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 286mgIron: 3mg