Name: Popcorn Chicken with Dipping Sauce (Oven Baked or Air Fryer)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon of barbecue sauce; 1 tablespoon of light mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons of fat free greek yoghurt; 1 teaspoon of American Mustard; 1 teaspoon of sweetener of choice (optional); 300g (10.5oz) of uncooked chicken breast; leftover pickle (gherkin) juice from a 900ml (30.4oz) jar; 1 teaspoon of paprika; 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt; pinch of black pepper; 1 egg, beaten; 2 tablespoons of fat free greek yoghurt; 40g (1.4oz) of panko breadcrumbs (or use other breadcrumbs of your choice); cooking oil spray

Jump to Recipe

Popcorn Chicken - tender pickle-brined chicken bites coated in crispy golden breadcrumbs that can be oven baked or cooked in the air fryer. Served with the perfect creamy dipping sauce, these are guaranteed to disappear quickly and be a hit with the whole family.

oven baked popcorn chicken bites on a parchment lined baking tray with wooden spatula

What is it about popcorn chicken bites that kids just love? I think it's the fuss free bitesize pieces of chicken they can just pop in their mouth with no bones etc. My kids love them especially from a place here in North American called Chick-fil-A.

However with us being in the middle of a pandemic and our nearest one being across the border in the US. I figured I'd treat the kids tonight with some leftover chicken I had and make my own. These were a huge success. The tray was cleared as fast as I put it on the table and they loved the dip.

Calories in Popcorn Chicken

This recipe serves 2 and is 326 calories per serving.

If you're looking for more recipes by calories, you'll find plenty of options grouped by calorie range here: Slimming Eats Low Calorie Recipes

If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie needs using a reliable calorie calculator. The calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary depending on the exact ingredients and portion sizes you use. Using your own calculations helps ensure you're meeting your individual needs. A calorie calculator can help you make informed choices and stay on track with your goals.

See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.

close up of oven baked popcorn chicken bites on a parchment lined baking tray with wooden spatula

Ingredients Notes

To make this recipe you will need the following ingredients:

Chicken breast: Chicken breast works perfectly for popcorn chicken as it stays tender while becoming golden and crisp on the outside. Cut into evenly sized bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
Pickle (gherkin) juice: Marinating the chicken in pickle juice helps tenderise the meat and adds extra flavour, similar to classic fast-food style chicken.
Seasonings: The paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and black pepper all help build flavour throughout the chicken coating.
Egg :Helps the coating stick to the chicken and gives the breadcrumbs a crisp finish once cooked.
Fat free Greek yoghurt: Adds extra creaminess to the coating mixture while helping keep the chicken moist and tender.
Panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs give the popcorn chicken a lighter crispier texture. Other breadcrumbs can also be used depending on what you have on hand.
Cooking oil spray: A light spray helps the coating turn golden and crispy while keeping the recipe lighter.

For the Dipping Sauce

Barbecue sauce: Adds smoky sweetness and lots of flavour to the dipping sauce.
Light mayonnaise :Creates a creamy base for the sauce without making it too heavy.
Fat free Greek yoghurt: Helps lighten the sauce while still keeping it creamy.
American mustard: Adds tanginess and balances the sweetness of the barbecue sauce.
Sweetener: Optional, but can help balance the tangy flavours depending on the barbecue sauce you use.

Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.

See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.

Variations and Substitutes

There are plenty of easy ways to adapt this popcorn chicken depending on what you have on hand.

Chicken breast can be swapped for chicken thighs for a juicier result.
If you do not have pickle juice, buttermilk or a little lemon juice mixed with milk can be used as a marinade instead.
Adjust the seasoning with cayenne pepper, chilli powder, smoked paprika, or Italian herbs.
Panko breadcrumbs give the crispiest coating, but regular breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, or gluten-free breadcrumbs also work well.
Greek yoghurt can be replaced with light sour cream or extra mayonnaise if preferred.
Add grated parmesan to the breadcrumb mixture for extra flavour.
Barbecue sauce can be swapped for buffalo sauce, sweet chilli sauce, honey mustard, or sriracha mayo.
American mustard can be replaced with Dijon mustard for a stronger flavour.

popcorn chicken bites on a wooden board with chicken dipping sauce

Pickle Brined Chicken

One of the signature things with Chick-fil-A chicken is the taste. It has unique taste of pickles, which I would have assumed comes from brining the chicken, but a quick google tells me it's the seasoning that gives it the taste and they don't actually brine their chicken in pickle juice.

However if you have ever tried brining chicken or turkey you will know the result is lovely tender pieces of chicken and whenever I finish a jar of pickles. I save the juice in my fridge and then next time I have some chicken, it goes into the juice and brined overnight. Not only does it tenderize the chicken, it also adds amazing flavour.

Okay okay!! If you are not a fan of pickles (gherkins) this recipe may not be for you. Although saying that my kids don't care for pickles (gherkins) but they loved pickle brined chicken - go figure!!

Sides Suggestions

What kind of sides go well with the popcorn chicken? Well the dip is a must trust me. These are just the best pairings, but good ole ketchup is fine too, especially where kids are concerned.

For a healthy side I like these with just some salad - crisp lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes, simple but delicious.

For a more filling meal you may also want some chips/potatoes were have some great options on Slimming Eats, such as:

or if you don't fancy chips rice is a good option too. We like

oven baked popcorn chicken bites on a wooden board with chicken dipping sauce

Storing, Freezing and Reheating

Storing

For the best result, we prefer to eat these once freshly cooked while the coating is nice and crisp. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Freezing

These can be frozen, but I recommend freezing them before cooking, just after coating in the panko breadcrumbs. Freezing them already cooked can result in the chicken becoming overcooked when reheated.

To freeze, spread the popcorn chicken out on a tray lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer until frozen solid. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

Cook straight from frozen for the best texture. Bake in the oven or air fryer at a slightly higher temperature than the original recipe and allow a little extra cooking time to ensure the chicken is cooked through and the coating is crisp and golden.

More Chicken Recipes

Looking for some more chicken recipes? Check out the following:

HUNTERS CHICKEN (CHICKEN NEW YORKER)
GOLDEN PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN
CREAMY HONEY MUSTARD CHICKEN
ASIAN SPRITE CHICKEN
SWEET AND STICKY CHICKEN
SMOKED PAPRIKA CHICKEN CASSEROLE

or head on over to my Full Recipe Index with over 900 delicious Slimming Eats and Weight Watchers friendly recipes all fully searchable by meal type, ingredients, value and smart points etc

hand dipping popcorn chicken bite into a white bowl with chicken dipping sauce.

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Recipe Card

Yield: SERVES 2

Popcorn Chicken with Dipping Sauce (Oven Baked or Air Fryer)

Popcorn Chicken - tender oven baked pickle brined Popcorn Chicken Bites served with the perfect chicken dipping sauce, these will be gone in seconds and loved by the whole family.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

300g (10.5oz) of uncooked chicken breast
leftover pickle (gherkin) juice from a 900ml (30.4oz) jar
1 teaspoon of paprika
½ teaspoon of garlic powder
½ teaspoon of onion powder
½ teaspoon of fine sea salt
pinch of black pepper
1 egg, beaten
2 tablespoons of fat free greek yoghurt
40g (1.4oz) of panko breadcrumbs (or use other breadcrumbs of your choice)
cooking oil spray

for the dipping sauce:

1 tablespoon of barbecue sauce
1 tablespoon of light mayonnaise
2 tablespoons of fat free greek yoghurt
1 teaspoon of American Mustard
1 teaspoon of sweetener of choice (optional)

Instructions

For the dipping sauce:

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and serve alongside the popcorn chicken

Oven Baked Method:

Place the chicken into a container or dish, pour over the leftover pickle juice so that the chicken is submerge. You can slice into smaller pieces if needed, but don't slice into the popcorn sized pieces until after brining. Place in the fridge overnight.
Preheat oven. to 200c (180c FAN), 400f or gas mark 6.
Remove chicken from pickle juice and pat dry with kitchen paper just to remove excess moisture. Slice into bitesize pieces
Add the chicken to a bowl with the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and black pepper and toss to thoroughly coat.
Whisk together the egg with the two tablespoons of greek yoghurt. Add the panko breadcrumbs to a plate
Dip the chicken in the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumbs, transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Spray over the top with cooking oil spray, and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden, removing half way through cooking time and rotating on the tray giving another spray of cooking oil spray.
Serve and enjoy . The dip is perfect with these or serve with your own choice of dipping sauce.

Air Fryer Method

Place the chicken in a container or dish and pour over the leftover pickle juice so the chicken is fully submerged. You can cut the chicken into smaller strips if needed, but do not cut into popcorn-sized pieces until after brining. Cover and place in the fridge overnight.
Remove the chicken from the pickle juice and pat dry with kitchen paper to remove excess moisture. Slice into bite-sized popcorn chicken pieces.
Add the chicken to a bowl with the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper and toss well to coat.
Whisk together the egg and Greek yoghurt in a bowl. Add the panko breadcrumbs to a plate or shallow bowl.
Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture, then coat in the breadcrumbs. Transfer to the air fryer grill pan or basket in a single layer. You can line the bottom of the air fryer if preferred to help prevent sticking.
Spray over the top with cooking oil spray and air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 16–18 minutes until golden and cooked through, shaking the basket halfway through cooking.

Notes

Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:

Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
❄️ Freezer Friendly: see storing, freezing and reheating section

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Comments

Mel says

January 30, 2021 at 4:51 pm

I made this last night and it was fantastic! The chicken was great by itself but once I tried it with the sauce it was amazing! Was very quick and easy to make and will definitely make an extra batch for the freezer next time!
Thank you so much for another amazing recipe!

Susan says

February 22, 2021 at 9:57 am

To. Siobhan
These sound lovely so am going to try them this week.
Where do the 4 syns come from? I was going to be making the breadcrumbs from my allowance.