This recipe makes a batch of homemade Popcorn Chicken with Parmesan Breadcrumbs – oven baked for light, crispy, succulent nuggets that are totally moreish.
Now this is all-out indulgence in the most simplest of ways. Popcorn Chicken is NOT just for children (but you definitely won’t get any complaints from them either!) I love to make a batch of these tender, tasty, golden bite-sized nuggets when it’s time for a treat but I don’t want to go down the takeaway route.
While they’re ideal as part of a main meal, I also love to make them as part of a buffet or platter when friends come round, because they go so well with loads of little side dishes and everyone always loves them dipped in sauce. This recipe includes two delicious dips – Honey and Mustard and Sweet Chilli Mayo, but you can go for whichever is your favourite.
Popcorn Chicken is a KFC invention, originally named because of the nuggets’ resemblance to the popped kernels when cooked, but there’s nothing better than a homemade take on the fast food classics – especially when it involves succulent chicken breast with a cheesy coating!
You’ll love this recipe because:
✅ Oven-baked but still super crunchy coating
✅ Tender bites of juicy chicken flavour
✅ Family meal or impressive buffet dish
FAQs about this Popcorn Chicken Recipe
What ingredients are in Popcorn Chicken?
All relatively straightforward and budget-friendly – chicken breasts, greek yoghurt, Panko breadcrumbs (oh yes, we’re keeping it simple), parmesan, and then seasoned with paprika, garlic powder and salt and pepper. Then there’s the optional dipping sauces.
How do you make homemade Popcorn Chicken?
It’s much easier than you might think. Cut up the chicken into bite-sized chunks and put them in a bowl, coating them with the yoghurt. In a separate bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, parmesan and seasoning. Roll each Popcorn piece in the breadcrumbs, place on a baking tray, drizzle with oil, and bake until golden and crispy for about 20-25 minutes.
What should I serve with Popcorn Chicken?
I recommend the dips in this recipe as they’re soooo good, but you can choose your own if you prefer. I would also serve these with homemade chips or wedges with my slow cooker baked beans if it’s for a main family dinner. If I’m serving these as a party snack, I’ll make a salad and other sides that take my fancy! They’re also amazing in wraps with salad for lunch.
What’s the difference between Popcorn Chicken and Chicken Nuggets?
Umm.. you got me there! I guess maybe the name ‘chicken nuggets’ put me off a bit? These are basically posh chicken nuggets, okaaaay?!
Can I cook these in an airfryer?
These do cook really well in an air fryer or Tefal Actifry if you have one. If your machine has a paddle to move the food around, just remove it and cook without as it will knock the coating off.
Can I fry them?
I like these golden chicken nuggets oven baked as it saves a lot of mess and oil, but they would also be good shallow fried if that’s your preference.
Fancy more fakeaway recipes?
- Chicken Tikka Burgers – Ready in 20
- Pork Carnitas – A slow cooker favourite
- Honey Garlic Beef Noodles – Tasty and easy
Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.
I’d love to know how you got on and what you thought of it if you make this Popcorn Chicken with Parmesan Breadcrumbs recipe. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ by the recipe. Also, if you’d like to show me a photo by tagging me on Instagram (@tamingtwins) I LOVE to see your creations.
Popcorn Chicken {with Parmesan Breadcrumbs}
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken breasts Skinless and boneless
- 50 g Greek yoghurt See notes
- 100 g Panko breadcrumbs See notes
- 30 g Grated parmesan
- 2 tsp Paprika See notes
- 2 tsp Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil See notes
For the Honey and Mustard Dip
- 75 g Greek yoghurt
- 3 tsp Runny honey
- 1 tsp Wholegrain mustard
For the Sweet Chilli Mayo
- 100 g Mayonnaise
- 5 tsp Sweet chilli sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 220C.
- Cut the chicken breasts into even, bite sized chunks (I use scissors).
- Put into a large bowl with the greek yoghurt and coat well.
- In another bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, parmesan, paprika, garlic powder and salt and pepper.
- Roll each piece of yoghurt coated chicken into the breadcrumbs mixture and coat well.
- Place each piece onto a baking sheet covered with baking paper (don't overcrowd them. You may need two baking trays).
- Give each nugget a little drizzle of oil. (You can also use an oil spray, which would work brilliantly).
- Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until crispy and golden all over (they may take a little longer depending on your oven).
- While they are baking, make each of the sauces by mixing the ingredients for each one together in a small bowl.
- Serve with the dips.
Notes
If you can get it, I do think thick Greek yoghurt works best for this as it acts like glue for the breadcrumbs. If you only have natural yoghurt, you can try it but they won't stick quite as well and you may need to reduce the amount you use a little. Panko breadcrumbs:
I use Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) as they are SO crunchy and lush. Regular breadcrumbs or homemade breadcrumbs will work fine too. Paprika:
You can substitute this for smoked paprika, chilli flakes, a reduced amount of cayenne pepper, or anything similar to give these Popcorn Chicken pieces a little kick and colour. Oil:
Vegetable, sunflower or olive oil is fine. This step is important as it makes the nuggets crispy. If you had a spray bottle of oil this would be AMAZING for doing this (I didn't have one).
Jo of Jo's Kitchen says
I must try these! So glad you love the Actifry. I keep on looking for excuses to make chips too!
The Reading Residence says
Oh, they look so good! I’ve been toying with an Actifry, too, as heard so many good things about them.
Foodie Laura says
I’ve heard such great things about the ActiFry and love that it can be used for more than just chips. These look great and not greasy at all which I guess is the point of the having the beast.
Camilla @FabFood4All says
Love the look of these healthy chicken nuggets and taking the paddle out is a really good idea or they would turn to mush! I tried popcorn in my Actifry for an experiemnt, It didn’t work LOL! Thank you for linking to my potato posts:-)
Susan Mann says
These sound lovely. Definitely toying with the idea of an actifry,
Julie's Family Kitchen says
I love your idea of including parmesan to the crunchy coating, seriously yum!
Urvashi says
I don’t eat chicken but I love the look of these for my girls. I might give them a bash tonight with sweet potato fries. Thanks for the inspiration.
BTW this machine is amazing for making granola! I just had a bash and it’s 7 minute, no faff perfection!
Alan says
Kids like me who follow instructions in order without reading ahead like they should beware: the instructions cut off on step 4 and might lead you to mix the dry ingredients with the eggs. They need to be mixed in a separate bowl, as per usual when breading.
Terrance McDaniel says
Best Panko Chicken tender I made EVER. Thank you for the recipe. I will use that crust for shrimp and fish…
Anna Field says
We probably have this once a fortnight now, with coleslaw, corn on the cob etc..it’s our version of a much yummier, healthier and cheaper Nandos! Also, oak i breadcrumbs! I’ve never used them before and we now have a cupboard full!
Pamela Whinfield says
So tasty! So easy to make as well and feels like you’re having a treat!
Nikki Reid says
Really tasty, straightforward to make, quantities spot-on. Definitely a keeper.
Fenella says
Tasty way to have chicken in breadcrumbs, the greek yoghurt works a treat in sticking it together.
Naomi says
Just tried this one with my kids-went down an absolute treat, really yummy and feels much more healthy than buying chicken nuggets. Thank you for another cracker!!
Bex says
These are gorgeous!