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fun essentials: cajun spicy popcorn chicken

Recipe by
Andy Anderson !
Wichita, KS

I love good popcorn chicken bites. These are easy to make, and have an extra “kick” to them. There are great for an evening snack while enjoying your favorite movie. Or, just about any time you crave a spicy bite of chicken. Oh, and I always try to include some celery sticks… Just to make the dish healthy. So, you ready… Let’s get into the kitchen.

yield 2 - 4
prep time 1 Hr
cook time 20 Min
method Pan Fry

Ingredients For fun essentials: cajun spicy popcorn chicken

  • PLAN/PURCHASE
  • 2 md
    boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 c
    fresh buttermilk
  • 1 lg
    dried ancho chili
  • 3/4 c
    flour, all-purpose variety
  • 1/2 tsp
    baking powder
  • 1 Tbsp
    cajun spice, i prefer tony chachere’s creole seasoning
  • 1 tsp
    salt, kosher variety, or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp
    white pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp
    garlic powder
  • grapeseed oil, or other neutral cooking oil

How To Make fun essentials: cajun spicy popcorn chicken

  • 1
    PREP/PREPARE
  • 2
    Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
  • 3
    Combine the chicken with the fresh buttermilk, in a non-reactive bowl.
  • 4
    Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • 5
    Remove the stem and seeds from the dried ancho chili.
  • 6
    Use a spice grinder, or blender to grind into a powder.
  • 7
    Add the flour, baking powder, Cajun spice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ground ancho chili, to a large bowl, and combine.
  • 8
    Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and shake off any excess liquid.
  • 9
    Work in batches and add the chicken bites to the flour/spice mixture.
  • 10
    Place the chicken on a piece of parchment paper.
  • 11
    Chef's Note: Add the oil to a pot, and heat up to 350f (175c).
  • 12
    Fry the chicken in batches (don’t crowd the pot), until it’s nice and golden brown, about 4 – 6 minutes, per batch.
  • 13
    Drain on paper towels.
  • 14
    Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Enjoy.
  • 15
    DIPPING SAUCE IDEAS
  • 16
    Sauce #1: Honey Mustard (mild) 1/2 cup mayo, plain variety 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, I prefer Grey Poupon 2 tablespoons fresh clover honey 1 tablespoon white vinegar 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder salt, kosher variety, to taste black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
  • 17
    Chili Sauce (spicy) 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce 1/4 cup ketchup 1 tablespoon Sriracha 1 tablespoon soy sauce 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 18
    Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

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