Korean Popcorn Chicken
- 30 min
- Serves 4
- 21 ingredients
10 minutes to prep, 20 to cook. A quick, crispy Korean popcorn chicken that bursts with sweet, spicy, and savory flavors. The crunchy coating and glossy gochujang glaze make it a crowd‑pleaser for any weeknight dinner.
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Method
In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces, eggs, soy sauce, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and ginger powder. Mix until the chicken is fully coated.
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The chicken is evenly coated with the egg and seasonings. Mix thoroughly before adding the dry coating.
Add the cornstarch, flour, and baking powder to the bowl. Toss until the coating is even and the chicken pieces are well covered.
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The coating covers the chicken pieces evenly. Toss until no bare spots remain.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (400°F). Arrange the coated chicken in a single layer and cook for 8 minutes.
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The chicken is set in a single layer in the air fryer. Leave space between pieces so the coating can crisp.
Flip the chicken pieces and continue cooking for an additional 4 minutes, or until the coating is golden and crispy. (If using an oven, bake at 425°F (425°F) for 15–20 minutes, turning halfway through.)
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The coating is golden and crisp. Flip the pieces so both sides brown.
While the chicken cooks, prepare the Korean sauce: in a saucepan over medium heat, combine gochujang, brown sugar, ketchup, honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
Simmer the sauce for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until it thickens and becomes glossy.
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The sauce is thick and glossy. Stir frequently as it simmers.
Remove the pan from heat and whisk in the butter until fully incorporated, creating a smooth, shiny glaze.
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The butter is incorporated into a smooth glaze. Whisk it in after removing the pan from heat.
Transfer the cooked chicken to a large mixing bowl. Add about ½ cup of the prepared sauce and toss to coat evenly; add more sauce if desired for extra gloss.
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The chicken is evenly glazed. Start with the stated amount of sauce and add more only as desired.
Serve the glazed popcorn chicken over steamed rice, and garnish with sliced green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Kitchen notes · Added by ReelsMeals: The garnish is scattered over the chicken and rice. Serve while the coating is crisp.
Tips while you cook
- Combine wet ingredients first
- Mix chicken with eggs, soy sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and ginger powder before adding the dry coating.
- Flip for even crispness
- After 8 minutes in the air fryer, flip the pieces and cook another 4 minutes until golden.
- Finish sauce with butter off heat
- Whisk butter into the hot glaze after removing the pan from heat.
Notes from ReelsMeals, based on this recipe's ingredients, times and method. They are not the creator's instructions.
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The recipe comes from Jeremy’s Instagram reel. ReelsMeals wrote it down from the caption and the voiceover. Check the original if something looks off, and for anything about allergens.
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Popcorn chicken, 5 ways
Four creators posted their own. Every one is built on chicken and egg.
- Zach Olson35 min16 ingr.Deep-fried
- Jeremy30 min21 ingr.Only this one uses baking powder
- Donaldo Estevam26 min8 ingr.Only this one uses mustard and chives
- Donaldo Estevam26 min10 ingr.Only this one uses orange marmalade and ground ginger
- Ryan Miller40 min19 ingr.Only this one uses potato starch and white rice
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