This Paleo Popcorn Chicken is healthier and allergy friendly. It is made in the air fryer for the crispiest texture without all the added oil of frying.
What’s not to love about popcorn chicken? It’s high protein, crunchy, and salty! But traditional popcorn chicken is usually made with corn flour and fried in inflammatory oils. So, let me teach you how to make an easier, healthier popcorn chicken at home.
My paleo popcorn chicken is also completely gluten free and dairy free. It’s allergy friendly and can be made egg free too!
Paleo Popcorn Chicken
Popcorn Chicken Ingredients:
- Chicken breast: you can also use dark meat if you prefer
- Plantain chips: there are many different brands out there. If you are watching your seed oil intake, be sure to use a brand that makes their chips with coconut or avocado oil!
- Tapioca or arrowroot starch: this is for the breading
- Eggs: for getting the coating to stick. See below for substitutions!
- Salt and spices to taste: add things like garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika.
Instructions:
- Dice the chicken.
- Blitz the chips, starch, and any spices in a food processor. Pour this mixture into a large bowl.
- Whisk eggs in a small bowl.
- Line up egg, chip mixture, and air fryer basket.
- Dip the chicken in the eggs then coat in the chip mixture. Line chicken in an even layer in air fryer basket (you may have to cook in batches).
- Air fry at 350F for 7-10 minutes until chicken is done.
What if I can’t have egg?
If you can’t eat eggs, but still want to make this gluten free popcorn chicken, use a mixture of milk and oil. Combine 1 cup of milk mixed with 1 Tbsp of oil, whisk and use instead of the eggs. This will make this recipe completely autoimmune paleo friendly too!
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can try baking the popcorn chicken in the oven. Although I have not tested this method myself, I think it would still work fine! Try baking at 350F for 10-15 minutes. You could even broil the chicken for a couple minutes at the end to get it extra crispy.
More easy dinner recipes
Paleo Popcorn Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lbs chicken breast diced
- 1 bag plantain chips
- 2 Tbsp tapioca or arrowroot starch
- 2 eggs see notes above for egg subs
- Salt and spices to taste*
Instructions
- Start by dicing your chicken into cubes.
- Blitz the chips, starch, and any spices you are using together in the food processor until the chips are in crumbs. You can also do this in a bag, if needed. Pour this mixture into a large bowl.
- Whisk the eggs in a small bowl.
- Line up your egg, chip mixture, and air fryer basket.
- Dip the chicken in the eggs then coat in the chip mixture. Line chicken in an even layer in air fryer basket (you may have to cook in batches).
- Air fry at 350F for 7-10 minutes until chicken is done.
- Enjoy!
