Go Back
–+ servings
Best Baked Popcorn Chicken Recipe

Baked Cajun Popcorn Chicken

Bianca Turci
These Crispy Cajun Chickenbites are extremely crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside, seasoned with spices, and oven-fried to perfection. 
Served with Homemade Chipotle Mayo, these are sure to satisfy your deepest crispy chicken cravings!
5 from 14 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
For Marinating 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 522 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Cajun Chicken Marinade

  • 2 lbs (900 g) boneless chicken (chopped)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) buttermilk (or 1/2 cup milk mixed with 1 and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar, mix and let sit for 10 minutes)
  • 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning* (*see notes down below for homemade cajun seasoning mix)
  • Salt and pepper

For The Crispy Cajun Coating

  • 2 cups (55 g) cornflakes (crushed)
  • 2 tbsp (15 g) flour
  • 2 tablespoon cajun seasoning* (*see notes down below for homemade cajun seasoning mix)
  • Vegetable oil (for brushing)
  • Salt and pepper

For the Homemade Chipotle Mayo

  • 1/2 cup (115 g) mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoon lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon chipotle powder
  • 1-2 tbsp tablespoon water (to thin out the sauce, optional and to taste)

Instructions
 

  • Marinate the chicken. In a ziplock bag, add the chicken, buttermilk, cajun, salt, and pepper. Massage the chicken until evenly coated. Place in the refrigerator and marinate for 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
  • Make the Cajun coating. Preheat the oven to 425 F (210 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add the crushed cornflakes, flour, cajun, salt, and pepper to a shallow bowl and mix until combined.
  • Coat the chicken. Remove the chicken from the marinade (discard the marinade) and dredge it into your prepared coating mixture, then place it onto your prepared baking sheet.
  • Brush with oil. Brush or drizzle each piece of chicken with oil, then place in the oven immediately. This is what makes oven-frying possible.
  • Bake for 10-20 minutes or until the coating is golden brown and crispy and the chicken is fully cooked (centers should measure 165F or 73C in temperature). Flip halfway through baking time, if needed. Meanwhile, make the homemade Chipotle Mayo.
  • Make the homemade Chipotle Mayo. In a small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, lime juice, smoked paprika, chili powder, and chipotle powder. Taste and adjust, if desired. Add the water to thin it out (to taste, optional).

Notes

Homemade Cajun Seasoning: mix together 1 and 1/2 smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon onion powder, 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano, 3/4 teaspoon cayenne powder, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper.
Make-Ahead Instructions: to make ahead of time, follow step 1, then place the chicken in the refrigerator and let marinate overnight. The next day, follow step 2.
Storing Instructions: store any leftover chicken in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Store any leftover chipotle mayo covered in the refrigerator for up 1-2 days.
Reheating Instructions: brush the chicken with extra oil, and reheat in the oven at 400F (200C) for 8-10 minutes or until hot (165F or 73C) and crispy again.
📷 DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?!
Tag @itsdamnspicy on Instagram and hashtag it #itsdamnspicy

Nutrition

Calories: 522kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 27gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 158mgSodium: 330mgPotassium: 433mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1870IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 5mg
Did you make this recipe?Please leave a comment and star rating on this post and tag @DamnSpicyyy on Instagram & hashtag it #itsdamnspicy!
QR Code linking back to recipe