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Copycat Recipe, Fried Chicken Nuggets
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Sonic Jumbo Chicken Poppers

If you love Sonic Jumbo Chicken Poppers, you need this Sonic Jumbo Chicken Poppers Copycat Recipe - crispy, breaded, delicious chicken poppers that are a huge family favorite and super easy to make at home! These popcorn chicken bites are a perfect easy party appetizer everyone loves! 
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 216kcal
Author: Courtney ODell

Ingredients

  • ½ pound chicken breast boneless, diced into small 1-2" chunks
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp pickle juice
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • 2 tbsp corn starch
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs extra large or large
  • 1 ½ cup flour

Instructions

  • Slice chicken breasts into 1-2" chunks. 
  • Season with salt, garlic powder, pepper, onion powder, and turmeric, coating evenly over all the chicken.
  • Add to plastic bag with buttermilk and pickle juice. 
  • Refrigerate at least 12 hours, up to 2 days before cooking. 
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees (if baking) before removing chicken from fridge so it is hot when you're ready. 
  • Arrange 4 large, shallow bowls (salad bowls are great for this) in a line on your workspace. 
  • Add chicken in the buttermilk mixture to one bowl. 
  • Add corn starch to one bowl. 
  • Add eggs to other bowl, beat until slightly foamy, about 1 minute. 
  • Add flour to final bowl. 
  • If frying, add 2-4" peanut oil to a heavy cast iron skillet or heavy pan with a 2"+ lip around the side (I like to fry in a dutch oven personally - less splatter) and heat to between 350-375 degrees. 
  • If baking: Arrange parchment paper on a baking sheet at the end of your dredging assembly line. 
  • Baking or frying: Working with individual chicken bites, or in small batches, move chicken from buttermilk bath to cornstarch, then egg bath, then flour, making sure you get a good, even coat on the chicken. I prefer extra thick breading, and will sometimes dredge three times! 
  • If baking: When chicken has been dredged in egg and flour, place on parchment paper lined baking sheet - give a little space so each can crisp up without over crowding. 
  • If baking: Bake 30 minutes, until chicken has reached internal temperature of 160 degrees and has turned a lovely golden brown. 
  • If frying: fry in small batches until chicken has reached an internal temp of 160 degrees and has browned to a golden brown. 
  • Serve immediately and enjoy! 

Nutrition

Calories: 216kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 569mg | Potassium: 247mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 155IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1.9mg