Popcorn chicken – those irresistible bite-sized morsels of crispy, juicy goodness that we all love. But let’s be real, eating them alone can get boring real quick The right side dishes and dipping sauces can transform your simple popcorn chicken into an unforgettable meal experience!
As a food enthusiast who’s experimented with countless popcorn chicken pairings, I’m excited to share my findings with you Whether you’re planning a casual family dinner, game night snacks, or a more sophisticated meal, I’ve got you covered with options that’ll make your taste buds dance with joy
Classic Dipping Sauces: The Essential Companions
Let’s start with the basics – dipping sauces. These little flavor bombs can completely transform your popcorn chicken experience:
- Ketchup: The old reliable. Simple, tangy, and sweet – it just works!
- BBQ Sauce: Adds a smoky, savory depth that pairs beautifully with the crispy chicken
- Ranch Dressing: Creamy, herby goodness that cools your palate between bites
- Honey Mustard: The perfect balance of sweet and tangy
- Sweet Chili Sauce: Adds a delightful blend of sweetness with a hint of heat
- Sriracha Mayo: For those who enjoy a creamy sauce with a spicy kick
Pro tip: Mix and match! I personally love combining equal parts BBQ sauce and ranch for a creamy, smoky delight.
Beyond Basic Dips: Unexpected Sauce Sensations
If you’re feeling a bit adventurous try these more unique options
- Blue Cheese Dip: Especially good if you like buffalo chicken
- Buffalo Sauce: Brings the heat and pairs wonderfully with celery sticks
- Tzatziki: A refreshing Greek yogurt-based sauce with cucumber and garlic
- Peanut Sauce: Adds an Asian-inspired nutty flavor profile
- Mango Salsa: Sweet, tangy, and refreshing – a surprising but delicious pairing
Starchy Sides: The Perfect Partners
Nothing complements popcorn chicken better than a hearty starchy side:
French Fries
The classic choice! There’s something magical about the combination of crispy chicken and golden fries. For a healthier twist, try sweet potato fries or air-fried options.
Mac and Cheese
This is da bomb! The combo of gooey cheese with crispy chicken is simply irresistible. Add some jalapeños or buffalo sauce for an extra kick that’ll make your taste buds go crazy!
Rice Options
- Plain steamed rice: Acts as a neutral base that soaks up any sauce
- Rice pilaf: Adds more flavor dimension
- Lemon orzo: A refreshing twist on the standard grain side
Fresh and Healthy Sides
Balance out your meal with these fresher options:
Coleslaw
The tangy crunch of coleslaw cuts through the richness of the fried chicken perfectly. It’s also super easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time.
Veggie Sticks
Celery and carrot sticks make a refreshing, healthy side that adds color and nutrition to your plate. These work especially well for summer starters or casual dining.
Salad Options
- Garden salad with vinaigrette
- Caesar salad with creamy dressing
- Pasta salad for a more substantial option
Comfort Food Pairings
When you’re in the mood for pure indulgence:
Cornbread
This American tradition pairs beautifully with popcorn chicken. Its soft texture and slightly sweet corny flavor creates a satisfying combination that’ll fill you up.
Baked Beans
High in fiber and protein, baked beans help round out a meal and complement the flavors of popcorn chicken nicely.
Potato Options
- Potato salad: A versatile side packed with nutrients
- Mashed potatoes: Especially good with gravy
- Roasted potatoes: A healthier alternative to fries
Veggie Sides for Balance
Add some nutrition to your meal with these veggie options:
Creamed Corn
The sweetness of creamed corn balances the savory flavors of chicken while adding a smooth texture contrast.
Fried Tomatoes
The acidity of tomatoes cuts through the richness of the chicken. The natural sweetness pairs wonderfully with the savory flavors.
Southern Fried Apples
This sweet-savory combination provides interesting flavor contrast and a different texture experience.
Roasted Vegetables
Broccoli, carrots, or Brussels sprouts roasted until slightly charred complement popcorn chicken beautifully.
Complete Meal Ideas
Here are some ways to incorporate popcorn chicken into complete meals:
- Asian-Inspired Bowl: Popcorn chicken + steamed rice + stir-fried veggies + sweet chili sauce
- Southern Comfort Plate: Popcorn chicken + mac and cheese + collard greens + cornbread
- Fresh Summer Meal: Popcorn chicken + coleslaw + corn on the cob + iced tea
- Game Day Spread: Popcorn chicken + fries + veggie sticks + multiple dipping sauces
Drinks to Complete Your Meal
Don’t forget about beverages! The right drink can elevate your entire experience:
- Sodas: The fizz helps cut through the richness
- Iced Tea: Refreshing and slightly bitter
- Lemonade: Tangy sweetness complements savory chicken
- Beer: A light lager pairs perfectly
- Milk: Especially helpful if you’re enjoying spicy dipping sauces
Kid-Friendly Options
If you’re serving little ones, these options are sure to please:
- Mac and cheese (always a hit!)
- Carrot sticks with ranch
- Apple slices
- Ketchup or honey mustard for dipping (avoid anything too spicy)
- Chocolate milk as a special treat
Catering to Dietary Restrictions
Need to accommodate special diets? Here are some ideas:
Gluten-Free Options
- Rice instead of bread-based sides
- Gluten-free breadcrumbs for the chicken
- Roasted vegetables
- Ensure all sauces are gluten-free
Lower-Carb Choices
- Cauliflower “rice”
- Extra vegetable portions
- Salads with oil-based dressings
My Personal Favorites
I’ve tried countless combinations, but my absolute favorite pairing has to be popcorn chicken with sweet potato fries and a side of sriracha mayo. The sweetness of the potatoes, the savory chicken, and the spicy-creamy sauce create the perfect flavor trifecta!
For a lighter meal, I love pairing popcorn chicken with a fresh garden salad and honey mustard dressing that does double duty as a dipping sauce.
Tips for Creating the Perfect Popcorn Chicken Meal
- Consider texture contrasts: Pair crispy chicken with something creamy or soft
- Balance flavors: If your chicken is heavily seasoned, choose milder sides
- Think about color: Add vibrant veggies for visual appeal
- Presentation matters: Serve in a basket for casual meals or plate artfully for dinner
- Temperature variety: Offer both hot and cold sides for interesting contrasts
Final Thoughts
The beauty of popcorn chicken is its versatility. Whether you’re craving comfort food, trying to incorporate more vegetables, or experimenting with global flavors, there’s a perfect pairing out there for you.
Remember, there are no strict rules – the best combinations are the ones you enjoy! So grab that popcorn chicken and start experimenting with these sides and sauces. Your perfect meal awaits!
What’s your favorite way to enjoy popcorn chicken? Do you have a special dipping sauce recipe or side dish that you swear by? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
Happy munching!
COOKING THE POPCORN CHICKEN
Cooking vessel – I find it easiest to use a large saucepan or small pot around 20cm/8″ in size though if you are a confident cook you can use a larger one around 25cm/10″. Popcorn chicken only takes a couple of minutes to cook so if you use a large cooking vessel you need to move faster – see FAQ for more information.
Shallow frying – Because the pieces of chicken are so small, we don’t need much oil. Just 2.5cm / 1″ depth in whatever cooking vessel you are using. It will range from ~2 1/2 cups (625 ml) for a 20cm/8″ small pot to 3 1/2 cups (875 ml) for a 25cm/10″ pot.
- Final toss / separate – The chicken will sweat and the white flour coating will darken as it sits around on the tray. So if yours has darkened a bit, give the chicken you’re about to cook a little toss on the tray in the excess flour to re-coat them and make them white again, and to ensure they are not sticking together.
- Use scooper for safety (or hands, if you’re a pro) – Then use a large scooper with large holes (rather than fine mesh) to pick up a handful of chicken pieces and shake off excess flour (ie falls through the hole). Hands – If you’re a confident cook, feel free to use your hands but be careful of oil splash-age. I prefer to use hands because then I can drop the chicken in one-by-one to ensure they aren’t sticking together.
- Lower the chicken into oil pre-heated to 180°C/350°F using the scooper. Use a food thermometer to test the oil temperature, or see recipe notes for how to test the oil temperature if you don’t have one.
- Fry 2 minutes – Then cook the chicken for 2 – 2 1/2 minutes until the surface is crispy and golden. Agitate the chicken halfway through the cook time and separate any sticking together.
- Scoop – When the chicken is done, scoop it out.
- Spread – Then spread it out on a paper towel lined tray, to absorb excess oil. Then continue to cook remaining chicken, remembering to do a little final flour toss on the tray before cooking each batch!
Oven and air fryer methods – please see the FAQ for why it is not recommended for this particular recipe without alterations which I haven’t figured out yet!
And though I can assure you that this popcorn chicken is flavoured enough and crispy enough on the outside and juicy enough on the inside to want to shovel handfuls into your mouth plain, a little dipping sauce certainly never goes astray.
My favourite is Honey Mustard Sauce, pictured – 4 ingredient, 1 minute sauce (you understand why it’s a dipping fave!). Use what you want – ketchup, BBQ, sweet and sour, sweet chilli. It’s chicken. You can pretty much use any dipping sauce for it!
Flour coating (“breading”) and seasoning
“Breading” refers to coating the chicken in the seasoned flour mixture. It’s is a term used in the US which refers to coating things in breadcrumbs or other dry mixture (like seasoned flour we’re using here) that becomes a crispy crust when cooked.
Here in Australia, we tend to use the word “crumbing” when we coat foods with breadcrumbs, but I never felt it was the appropriate term when there’s no breadcrumbs involved. So I use the term “breading” which seems a little more universal in the culinary world these days, even though yes, I know breadcrumbs aren’t involved!
- The Seasoning is a KFC copycat. It’s the same ingredients used in my KFC Copycat Fried Chicken recipe, although quantities tweaked slightly to suit Popcorn Chicken. For example, the quantity of salt is drastically reduced because we’re working with tiny pieces of chicken rather than giant bone-in, skin-one pieces which is much harder for seasoning to penetrate. Also, I like to crush the oregano and thyme with my fingers to make them a little smaller so they meld better onto the surface of the small bites of chicken.
- Flour and cornflour/cornstarch – Using a combination of flour and cornflour produces the best result for a crunchy, golden crust for fried chicken. Flour (just regular, plain/all purpose flour) is standard for coating fried foods, but it doesn’t become all that crispy. Well, it is quite crispy straight out of the fryer but it loses crispiness quickly. Cornflour, on the other hand, fries up really crispy but it doesn’t go a nice golden colour. And if you coat things too thickly in cornflour it becomes too hard and gets stuck in your teeth.By using a combination of the two, we can achieve crispy fried chicken perfection with just the right texture!
- Oil for cooking – canola, vegetable or peanut oil, for neutral flavour and ability to heat to the temperature needed without burning the chicken or the oil smoking.
The CRISPIEST High Protein Popcorn Chicken! OVER 100g of Protein! Less cals than KFC! #gymfood
FAQ
What is a good side for popcorn chicken?
- A dipping sauce. A dipping sauce is just perfect for popcorn chicken, especially the kind that hasn’t been cooked in sauces. …
- Coleslaw. …
- Mac and cheese. …
- Celery and carrot sticks. …
- French fries. …
- Cornbread. …
- Salad.
What are the best sides to serve with chicken?
- Roasted Fennel. …
- Butternut Squash Risotto. …
- Crash Hot Potatoes. …
- Easy Sautéed Mushrooms. …
- Twice Baked Southwestern Sweet Potatoes. …
- Easy Spanish Rice. …
- Stir Fried Japanese Eggplant With Ginger and Miso. …
- Perfect Mashed Potatoes.
What condiments go with popcorn chicken?
Use what you want – ketchup, BBQ, sweet and sour, sweet chilli. It’s chicken. You can pretty much use any dipping sauce for it!
What goes well with popcorn?
Savory popcorn pairs well with unexpected dips, creating unique flavor combinations. White wine, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, complements the salty notes of popcorn, while red wine offers a bold contrast. Try dipping savory popcorn in melted chocolate for a sweet and savory mix.