Crispy Chicken Poppers are bite-sized, flavorful snack bombs, that are perfect as appetizers, snacks, or party treats. These delicious morsels are seasoned, breaded, and fried to golden perfection, ensuring a crunchy exterior and juicy interior. All it takes is just 30 mins.
Chicken poppers are a versatile a popular snack prepared with chicken and few other flavors. Its crispy and goes well with any sipping sauce or ketchup. Its one of the most loved and kids favorite snack.
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What is Chicken poppers ?
Chicken Poppers are mini bite sized chicken snack. Traditionally it is prepared with boneless chicken breast pieces. The chicken is flavored with spices and they dipped in egg mixture and breaded.
The breaded chicken is then deep fried to perfection gives a perfect snack. It is always a hot when made for any potluck or parties for kids or anyone.
Poppers goes well with just tomato ketchup or mayonnaise we can also serve with any dipping sauce. The best part about them is they are prep friendly and made ahead of time. I have explained them below.
Ingredients
Chicken: Typically, chicken breast or thigh meat cut into bite-sized pieces.
Potato: Use cooked and mashed potato for the filling. We can use any variety of potato.
ginger garlic paste - Adds a lovely taste to the poppers and helps in digestion.
Onion , Cilantro - Finely chopped onions and cilatro adds a nice taste and texture to poppers.
Seasonings: Common choices include garam masala, chili flakes. I am preparing more of an Indian style hence the Indian spices. Feel free to switch and experiment as you prefer.
Coating: A mixture of bread crumbs or Panko for extra crunch. We can also do double coating for extra texture.
Eggs: Beaten and used to help the breading adhere to the chicken.
Oil: For deep-frying, such as vegetable oil or canola oil.
Variations :
How to make Chicken Poppers
Cook Chicken:
In a pressure cooker add chicken breast pieces. Along with little salt and turmeric powder add water.
Cook for 4 whistles and switch off. Allow the pressure to release on its own.
Prep Chicken for poppers:
Add cooked chicken to a blender and grind them coarsely.
Add the coarsely ground chicken to a mixing bowl. To this add cooked and mashed potato.
Next add chopped onions, ginger garlic paste, red chili flakes and coriander leaves.
Also add turmeric powder, garam masala and required salt.
Shape the chicken poppers.
Combine everything for even mixing.
Pinch equal portions and shape them into small equal sized balls and put it in the fridge for 30 mins.
Breading
Break open egg and beat well until fluffy. Spread the bread crumbs into another bowl.
Now dip the chicken poppers into egg and then roll the balls in the bread crumbs.
Fry Chicken Poppers
Heat a pan with oil for deep frying. Once its hot add the balls and deep fry the balls in a medium flame.
Fry until its crisp and golden brown. Remove from the oil once its cooked and drain in paper towel to absorb excess oil. Serve hot
Expert Tips
Uniform Size: Shape the poppers in to same sized balls this ensures all are cooked at same time and temperature.
Double Coating: For extra crunch, repeat the breading process.
Seasoning: We can also experiment with different herbs and spices for extra flavors. Feel free to experiment in both the marinade as well as breading for unique flavors.
Baked Chicken Poppers: For a healthier option, bake the breaded chicken poppers in the oven at 400°F (200°C) until crispy. Brush or spray oil as needed.
Air fried Chicken Poppers : If you do not like deep frying you can also try air fried chicken poppers. Follow the shape process until breading and then preheat the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5 mins. Spray or brush oil over the chicken poppers. Now air fry them at 356°F (180°C) for 16 mins. After 8 mins make sure you shake the basket once and spray extra oil.
FAQ's
Yes, we can definitely prepare chicken poppers ahead of time. After breading the chicken, I usually store them in the fridge. This helps in making the poppers firm. We can keep them in fridge for 2 days. Alternatively, we can freeze the breaded chicken poppers for up to a month. Fry or bake them directly from frozen as you prefer.
Yes, for a healthier option, you can either bake or air fry the breaded chicken poppers.
Baking : Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
Air Fry : preheat the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 5 mins. Spray or brush oil over the chicken poppers. Now air fry them at 356°F (180°C) for 16 mins. After 8 mins make sure you shake the basket once and spray extra oil.
Chicken breast or thigh meat works best for chicken poppers. Chicken breast is leaner, while thigh meat tends to be juicier. Any boneless chicken pieces works well for poppers.
To achieve extra crispiness, you can double-coat the chicken pieces. Dip chicken in egg mixture and coat them in bread crumbs. We can repeat this process once again for extra crispiness. Frying at the right temperature (around 350°F or 175°C) also ensures a crispy exterior and juicy inside.
Serving Suggestions
Dipping Sauces: Serve with a variety of dipping sauces such as ketchup, Green Chutney, Mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing.
Serve as Sides: Pair with fries, coleslaw, lettuce or a fresh salad for a more filling meal.
Garnishing: Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for added colors and flavor. Add more chili flakes for a spicy poppers.
Storing Options
I prefer serving the chicken poppers hot for a crispy texture. As it cools down it looses its crispness and flavor.
If you are not serving immediately, We can reheat in microwave or air fry them for 2 mins before serving.
Do not recommend storing in the fridge. However we can store the shaped un cooked chicken poppers in fridge for 2 days or freeze them for a month.
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📖 Recipe
Chicken Poppers
Standard 1 cup measures 240 ml
Ingredients
- 250 gm Chicken boneless
- 2 Potato
- 1 Onion
- 2 tbsp Coriander leaves
- 1 sprig Curry Leaves
- 1 tbsp Chili flakes
- 1 tbsp Ginger garlic paste
- 1 tsp Garam Masala
- ¼ tsp Turmeric powder
- Salt as needed
- 1 Egg
- ½ cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions
Cook Chicken:
- In a pressure cooker add chicken breast pieces. Along with little salt and turmeric powder add water.
- Cook for 4 whistles and switch off. Allow the pressure to release on its own.
Prep Chicken for poppers:
- Add cooked chicken to a blender and grind them coarsely.
- Add the coarsely ground chicken to a mixing bowl. To this add cooked and mashed potato.
- Next add chopped onions, ginger garlic paste, red chilli flakes and coriander leaves.
- Also add turmeric powder, garam masala and required salt.
Shape the chicken poppers.
- Combine everything for even mixing. Pinch equal portions and shape them into small equal sized balls and put it in the fridge for 30 mins.
Breading
- Break open egg and beat well until fluffy. Spread the bread crumbs into another bowl.
- Now dip the chicken poppers into egg and then roll the balls in the bread crumbs.
Fry Chicken Poppers
- Heat a pan with oil for deep frying. Once its hot add the balls and deep fry the balls in a medium flame .
- Fry until its crisp and golden brown. Remove from the oil once its cooked and drain in paper towel to absorb excess oil. Serve hot
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist , the nutrition value provided here is an estimate. It will vary based on the quantity and brands of the products used.
Note: This post is originally from 2019. I have updated with new Recipe card, Pictures and video now.
Narmadha says
I make cutlets in similar way and these cute balls looks so attractive. Kids would love them
Srividhya says
That looks so crisp. I am sure all chicken lovers would love it.
Gayathri Kumar says
These chicken poppers look fantastic. They look so crisp and would be perfect for evening snacks.
Harini R says
These definitely make for an interesting party appetizer idea.
Rafeeda AR says
These surely look very pleasing and easy to make! Super delicious and addictive...
rajani says
These kind of snacks make excellent appetizers for a get together. I love potato poppers and jalapeño poppers a lot.
vaishali sabnani says
I have to admit that all chicken lovers would like these crunchy poppers .