How Long To Deep Fry Boneless Chicken Breast Pieces?

These tender, buttermilk-marinated chicken breast pieces are breaded, pan-fried to an incredible crisp, and then used to make these fried chicken bites. You will adore this recipe if you enjoy KFC popcorn chicken!

Check out this hot honey chicken (which looks fried but is actually baked) and this coconut oil fried peanut chicken if you enjoy crispy fried chicken as much as we do. ).

The buttermilk marinated chicken is amazingly tender and juicy, and the coating is next-level crispy, making KFC popcorn chicken (also known as fried chicken bites) one of our favorite treats that is surprisingly simple to make at home.

It’s a family meal that is popular and tasty when served with some roasted broccoli and a side of mac and cheese. The best lunch is leftovers, and they are even delicious when packed cold for a school lunch!

When we have guests over, we also prepare popcorn chicken as an appetizer. Everyone loves snacking on these crispy chicken bites!.

How to make fried chicken bites

Making crispy, KFC-style popcorn chicken at home is surprisingly simple. Heres what to do:

Start by marinating small pieces of chicken breast in buttermilk and salt.

Next, toss the marinated chicken in flour and spices.

Then the chicken gets dipped into the buttermilk marinade before being breaded with panko or breadcrumbs.

The final step is pan-frying the chicken. This might sound intimidating, but all that you need to do is heat 2-inches of oil in a frying pan and cook the chicken a few pieces at a time. If you have a deep fryer, you can use that. But a high-sided frying pan works great for this job.

Safety tips for deep frying

Don’t worry if you haven’t tried making fried food at home; it’s much simpler than it seems.

NEVER leave the kitchen while a pot or pan of oil is still on the stove. Move the oil off the heat before answering the door, making a phone call, or checking on the kids.

You don’t want the oil to be too hot or too cold; medium heat will typically maintain the proper temperature. Utilizing an oil thermometer is the best way to determine whether the oil is at 350 degrees.

Dont add too much oil. When you add the chicken, the oil will begin to bubble a little, and you don’t want to take the chance of it spilling. Instead of a deep pot, we prefer to use a frying pan with high sides. This method uses less oil, which feels easier to manage.

Fried chicken bites ingredients

The most common ingredient in crispy popcorn chicken is boneless chicken breast. But chicken thighs are a delicious alternative!.

Buttermilk – helps to tenderize the chicken. Try making your own buttermilk if you don’t have any on hand by combining 2 tablespoons of lemon juice with milk.

Sea salt – infuses the chicken with flavor. If youre using table salt, use half the amount.

The first coating, all-purpose flour, aids in removing moisture from the chicken’s surface. Additionally, it aids in the chicken’s surface’s absorption of the spices. You can also use gluten-free flour or cornstarch instead.

We combine paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and these flavors with flour to give the chicken a fantastic flavor.

Panko – These Japanese-style breadcrumbs make extra crispy fried foods. You can use regular breadcrumbs if panko is unavailable. Gluten-free breadcrumbs work great, too. Theyre what you see in the photos!.

Pick a high-heat oil for cooking, like avocado, peanut, canola, or sunflower.

Despite the fact that you can skip this step, the chicken won’t be as juicy and tender. You should marinate the chicken first if you want to make the best fried chicken bites.

At least a half-hour. You can prepare the remainder of the recipe during this time. If you’d prefer to prepare ahead of time, you can keep the chicken marinating in buttermilk for up to 24 hours in your refrigerator.

Yes! This is a great meal-prep recipe. After breading the chicken, place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze it. You can put the frozen chicken pieces in a freezer bag after freezing. By extending the cooking time by 2-3 minutes, they can be fried from frozen.

The oven is the ideal location to reheat this chicken. Place them on a baking sheet and bake them at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

Great dips for fried chicken bites

Most frequently, ketchup or mayonnaise are used to coat these crispy chicken bites. But one of these delectable dipping sauces can really take it to the next level:

Tips for making the best popcorn chicken

You can make the best popcorn chicken around if you stick to our three simple suggestions!

Buttermilk – Marinating the chicken pieces in buttermilk for at least a half-hour works wonders in keeping the chicken tender.

Salt – Adding salt to the buttermilk marinade infuses the chicken with lots of flavor. Its key in this recipe.

Dont over fry the chicken – once the chicken is golden brown (about 3-4 minutes) remove it from the oil. Keeping the chicken pieces in the oil longer will overcook them and make them dry.

Popular Deep Fried Recipes

Our love for crispy chicken makes us want to eat it constantly. We frequently prepare this pickle brine chicken when we want an incredibly crispy chicken recipe that uses baking rather than frying. Its delicious!.

Fried Chicken Bites

Please give this recipe a 5-star rating if you enjoy it as much as we do.

1 lb boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon sea salt

¾ cup all-purpose flour, can gluten-free

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, salt, and pepper

2 cups panko or breadcrumbs, can be gluten-free

Cooking oil for frying

Place the chicken pieces, buttermilk, and salt in a large bowl and mix well. Let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes on your counter or up to 24 hours in your fridge.1 lb boneless chicken breast, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon sea salt

Mix the flour with the baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl. Place the panko in another shallow bowl.¾ cup all-purpose flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, sweet paprika, salt, and pepper, 2 cups panko or breadcrumbs

Use a slotted spoon to scoop some of the chicken pieces out of the buttermilk, letting the excess buttermilk drip back into the bowl. Put the pieces into the flour and toss to coat. Dip the pieces one at a time back into the buttermilk then put them in the panko bowl. Coat them in panko then put them on a baking sheet and repeat with the remaining pieces. Put the breaded chicken into your fridge for 15 minutes – this helps the breading stick.

Pour 1 ½ inches of oil into a high-sided skillet and warm it over medium heat until it reaches 350 degrees – use an oil thermometer. Carefully place several chicken pieces into the hot oil, making sure not to crowd the pan. Fry them for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy. Remove them from the skillet using a dry slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate. Let the oil rise to temperature again, then repeat until all the popcorn chicken is fried and crispy.

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FAQ

How long does it take to fry chicken breast pieces?

If the chicken breasts have skin, place it skin-side down in the hot oil and cook for two to three minutes, or until browned. Then, flip the food over, close the lid, and cook for 7-8 minutes, or until it is thoroughly cooked.

How long does it take to deep fry chicken tenders at 350 degrees?

In a Dutch oven, heat 2-3 inches of oil until it reaches 350 degrees. Try to maintain a frying temperature of 325 degrees as you cook the chicken in batches for 4-5 minutes. Fry the chicken tenders for an additional 4-5 minutes on the other side. When the chicken is thoroughly cooked and a deep golden color, remove it.

How long does it take to deep fry chicken breast at 375?

In a deep fryer, heat the oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Fry the chicken in small batches for 6 to 8 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove chicken and drain on paper towels.

How do you know chicken is done when deep frying?

If you cut into properly cooked chicken and the juices run clear, the chicken is done. Your chicken may need to cook a little bit longer if the juices are red or pinkish in color.