Why Is Popcorn Chicken So Good?

Popcorn Chicken is one of those comfort foods that never gets old. While these crispy, juicy morsels are 100% kid-friendly, the adults in your life will enjoy them just as much. If you love the taste of our Crispy Chicken Sandwiches or Baked Chicken Nuggets, this Popcorn Chicken recipe is going to become a regular part of your dinner rotation.

To give the chicken flavor, many fast food restaurants rely on spices such as salt. According to the nutritional information on one fast food chain’s popcorn chicken, a serving (usually about 20 pieces) has as much as 1,200 mg of sodium and 380 calories. Popcorn chicken is easy to make, and a healthy version can be made at home.

The term “popcorn chicken” is a more modern moniker, used because the small cubes of chicken resemble popcorn after being fried. Industry giant KFC (Kentucky fried chicken) introduced popcorn chicken in the early 1990s. The menu item has remained a staple, but the company periodically pulls it off the menu and then reintroduces the popular snack.

When popcorn chicken was first introduced by fast food chains, consumers worried that the ingredients were not “real” chicken, or discarded less desirable pieces of chicken. Today, most fast food chains list “white breast meat” as the main ingredient. Breading and spices can vary depending on the chain.

Can Chickens Eat Popcorn?

Absolutely! Chickens can eat popcorn. In fact, give some chickens some popcorn, and they are going to go crazy for it. For the most part, chickens are going to be eating a touch of corn anyway.

Yes and No. It is vital that you do not give your chickens any popcorn which has been salted. In fact, there shouldn’t be any flavorings on it at all.