Popcorn Chicken

Ingredients

• 3 lb chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 5 tbsp all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp salt, plus more to serve
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 cups panko crumbs
• 1 cup oil, vegetable or canola

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, and garlic powder.
2. Pour the buttermilk into a separate bowl and the panko crumbs onto a plate.
3. Dredge a piece of chicken into the flour mixture until evenly coated then dip in buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Lastly, roll in panko bread crumbs until evenly coated. Transfer to a platter.
4. Preheat 1-inch of oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Adjust the heat to keep the oil at 350˚F. Fry the popcorn chicken in small batches, leaving space between each piece and flipping as needed. Fry until golden brown and 165˚F at the deepest part of the chicken on a thermometer.
5. Remove the popcorn chicken from the oil and let it rest on a paper towel-lined plate.
6. sprinkle hot chicken lightly with salt and serve with your favorite dipping sauce!