Popcorn chicken platter

Make this savoury sharing platter for a movie night in with the kids – even the smallest hands will be able to enjoy this finger food

Prep:25 mins
Cook:20 mins
plus overnight chilling

Serves 10
Easy

Nutrition per serving

kcal 147
fat 5g
saturates 1g
carbs 16g
sugars 0g
fibre 0.3g
protein 9g
salt 1.24g

Ingredients

6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 3cm pieces
250ml buttermilk
vegetable oil, for deep-frying
ketchup, ranch, barbecue or hot sauce, to serve
½ tbsp smoked paprika
2 tsp garlic granules
1 tsp mustard powder
1 tsp mixed dried herbs
150g cornflour
1 heaped tsp baking powder

Method

Tip the chicken into a large bowl with the buttermilk and 1 tsp salt. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 12 hrs, or up to 24 hrs.
The next day, make the coating. Combine the paprika, garlic granules, mustard powder, dried herbs, cornflour, baking powder and 1 heaped tsp salt for the coating. Shake the excess marinade from each piece of chicken and dunk these into the coating mixture. Toss until each piece is well coated, then set aside on a tray.
Pour the oil into a deep pan until it is no more than a third full and heat until it reaches 175C. If you don't have a thermometer, drop in a little of the marinade – it should immediately sizzle. Add about five pieces of chicken at a time and fry each batch for 5 mins, or until deep golden brown. Remove the cooked popcorn chicken to a plate lined with kitchen paper using a slotted spoon and leave to drain while you cook the remainder. Serve the popcorn chicken on a platter with a selection of your favourite dips for dunking.

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