Firecracker Chicken Popcorn
Firecracker Chicken Popcorn
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 400 g boneless chicken thigh, cut into small cubes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon chilli powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg white
- 2 tablespoons cornflour, or arrowroot starch
- as needed oil spray
For the Firecracker Sauce
- 1 tablespoon light butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes, to 1 teaspoon
- 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
- pinch salt
- pinch pepper
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon mustard sauce, to 2 teaspoons
- 3 tablespoons hot water, to 4 tablespoons
For the Garnish
- as needed spring onion, chopped
For the Garlic Yogurt Sauce (Optional)
- as needed Greek yogurt
- as needed garlic paste
- as needed salt
- as needed pepper
- as needed honey
- as needed spring onion greens, chopped
Instructions
- 1
In a bowl, combine the 400 g boneless chicken thigh (cut into small cubes) with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon garlic paste, 1 teaspoon chilli powder, 1/2 teaspoon pepper powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1 egg white, and 2 tablespoons cornflour or arrowroot starch. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined with the chicken. Let the marinated chicken rest for 15-20 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
If using an air fryer: Spread the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer on a greased or lined air fryer basket. Spray the chicken lightly with oil. Air fry at 200°C for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the chicken is golden and crispy.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 200
- 3
If using an oven: Preheat your oven to 220°C. Arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking tray. Bake for 18-22 minutes, flipping the chicken once halfway through, until it is golden and crispy.
⏱️ 22 min•🌡️ 220
- 4
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the Firecracker Sauce. In a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon light butter over medium heat. Briefly sauté 1 teaspoon garlic paste until fragrant. Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chilli flakes, 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder, a pinch of salt, a pinch of pepper, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 to 2 teaspoons mustard sauce, and 3 to 4 tablespoons hot water. Simmer the sauce for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Once the chicken is cooked and crispy, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the prepared firecracker sauce over the chicken. Toss quickly to ensure all the chicken pieces are evenly coated in the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Garnish the Firecracker Chicken Popcorn with chopped spring onion.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
For the optional Garlic Yogurt Sauce: In a separate small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, garlic paste, salt, pepper, honey, and chopped spring onion greens. Mix well to create a cooling dip.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Serve the Firecracker Chicken Popcorn hot, optionally with the garlicky yogurt sauce as a cooling dip.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Firecracker Chicken Popcorn
For the Chicken
- 400 g boneless chicken thigh, cut into small cubes
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon chilli powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg white
- 2 tablespoons cornflour, or arrowroot starch
- as needed oil spray
For the Firecracker Sauce
- 1 tablespoon light butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes, to 1 teaspoon
- 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
- pinch salt
- pinch pepper
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon mustard sauce, to 2 teaspoons
- 3 tablespoons hot water, to 4 tablespoons
For the Garnish
- as needed spring onion, chopped
For the Garlic Yogurt Sauce (Optional)
- as needed Greek yogurt
- as needed garlic paste
- as needed salt
- as needed pepper
- as needed honey
- as needed spring onion greens, chopped
Instructions
- 1
In a bowl, combine the 400 g boneless chicken thigh (cut into small cubes) with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon garlic paste, 1 teaspoon chilli powder, 1/2 teaspoon pepper powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1 egg white, and 2 tablespoons cornflour or arrowroot starch. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined with the chicken. Let the marinated chicken rest for 15-20 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
If using an air fryer: Spread the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer on a greased or lined air fryer basket. Spray the chicken lightly with oil. Air fry at 200°C for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the chicken is golden and crispy.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 200 - 3
If using an oven: Preheat your oven to 220°C. Arrange the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking tray. Bake for 18-22 minutes, flipping the chicken once halfway through, until it is golden and crispy.
⏱️ 22 min•🌡️ 220 - 4
While the chicken is cooking, prepare the Firecracker Sauce. In a small saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon light butter over medium heat. Briefly sauté 1 teaspoon garlic paste until fragrant. Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chilli flakes, 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder, a pinch of salt, a pinch of pepper, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 to 2 teaspoons mustard sauce, and 3 to 4 tablespoons hot water. Simmer the sauce for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it slightly thickens.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Once the chicken is cooked and crispy, transfer it to a large bowl. Pour the prepared firecracker sauce over the chicken. Toss quickly to ensure all the chicken pieces are evenly coated in the sauce.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Garnish the Firecracker Chicken Popcorn with chopped spring onion.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
For the optional Garlic Yogurt Sauce: In a separate small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, garlic paste, salt, pepper, honey, and chopped spring onion greens. Mix well to create a cooling dip.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Serve the Firecracker Chicken Popcorn hot, optionally with the garlicky yogurt sauce as a cooling dip.
⏱️ 1 min