Fried Chicken > Popcorn chicken vs chicken nuggets
Popcorn Chicken vs Chicken Nuggets: What’s the Difference?
Popcorn chicken and chicken nuggets are two popular chicken dishes that are often confused with each other. Though they may look similar, there are some key differences between these crunchy chicken bites.
What is the difference between popcorn chicken and chicken nuggets?
The main differences between popcorn chicken and chicken nuggets are the shape, size, and batter. Popcorn chicken is made from irregularly shaped chunks of chicken breast that are dipped in a light tempura batter and fried.
The pieces are bite-sized, usually around 2 inches or smaller. Chicken nuggets start with processed ground chicken that is shaped into uniform nugget forms before being coated in a thicker layer of batter plus an additional breadcrumb coating. Nuggets are also usually larger in size.
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What is Popcorn Chicken?
Popcorn chicken consists of small, bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken that have been battered and fried. The chicken chunks are usually made from breast meat and are around 2 inches or smaller in size. After being coated in a light tempura-style batter, the popcorn chicken pieces are fried until golden brown and crispy.
Popcorn chicken gets its name from how the small pieces resemble the fluffy treat in both appearance and texture. The batter helps seal in the chicken’s juices while also providing a crunchy exterior that contrasts nicely with the tender, moist chicken inside.
What are Chicken Nuggets?
Chicken nuggets are also made from small cuts of chicken meat that are breaded or battered and fried. However, the main difference from popcorn chicken is that nuggets are formed into a specific shape before cooking.
Chicken nuggets start with small chunks or thinner slices of chicken meat. These are then blended with binding ingredients to help them hold their shape when cooked. The processed chicken mixture is formed into round, oblong or dinosaur shapes, coated in batter and breadcrumbs, and fried until golden brown and crispy.
Comparing Shapes, Sizes and Batters
When comparing popcorn chicken and nuggets, the most obvious difference is their shape. Popcorn chicken retains its original irregular chunky form while nuggets are pressed into uniform shapes.
In terms of size, popcorn chicken pieces also tend to be smaller, usually ranging from bite-sized to 2 inches. Chicken nuggets are more commonly larger, around 2 to 3 inches long.
The batter and breading can vary too. Popcorn chicken has a very light tempura-style batter allowing the chicken flavor to shine. Nuggets often have a thicker layer of batter plus an added breadcrumb coating for extra crunch.
Are Boneless Wings Just Popcorn Chicken?
Boneless chicken wings are essentially just rebranded popcorn chicken. Both are made from small cuts of breast meat that are tossed in sauce or seasoning after being fried. The only difference is that boneless wings are marketed as a twist on classic fried chicken wings.
So whether you opt for popcorn chicken or boneless wings, you’re essentially eating the same thing! Just keep in mind that boneless wings tend to come sauced while popcorn chicken is usually seasoning-free and sauce-free.
Is chicken popcorn healthier than chicken nuggets?
When it comes to nutritional value, popcorn chicken and nuggets are fairly similar. Both are fried foods and higher in fat, calories, and sodium compared to plain grilled or baked chicken.
However, popcorn chicken may have a slight edge over nuggets. As popcorn chicken pieces are smaller, they tend to have a higher ratio of crispy coating to chicken. The thicker batter and breading on some nuggets means less actual chicken per serving. So if choosing based on health, popcorn chicken is likely the better bet.
FAQs
What defines popcorn chicken?
Popcorn chicken is defined by:
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- Irregular, bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken breast, typically 2 inches or smaller
- A light, tempura-style batter coating
- Pieces are kept in their original chunky shape rather than pressed into uniform nugget forms
- Fried until golden brown and crispy
- Tender, juicy chicken on the inside with a crispy exterior
- Resembles the fluffy, airy texture of popcorn
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The key aspects that set popcorn chicken apart are the utilize of bite-sized, breast meat chicken chunks fried in a light batter to create an irregular, popcorn-like texture and appearance. Uniform nugget shapes and thicker batter coatings are not features of traditional popcorn chicken.
Is popcorn chicken made from whole chicken pieces?
No, popcorn chicken is made from cut up boneless chicken breasts that are diced into smaller pieces then battered and fried. The irregular shapes separate it from chicken nuggets.
What makes the chicken so tender?
The light, tempura-style batter seals in moisture and flavor while frying. This results in popcorn chicken that is crispy on the outside yet tender and juicy on the inside.
Can I make my own popcorn chicken at home?
Yes, you can easily make popcorn chicken at home with some boneless, skinless chicken breasts, flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs or panko. Dice the chicken, coat it in flour, egg, then breading and fry in oil until golden brown.
Is popcorn chicken already cooked?
Popcorn chicken needs to be cooked before eating. The raw chicken pieces are battered and fried at high heat to cook through and become safe to eat.
What sauce goes well with popcorn chicken?
Honey mustard and barbecue sauce are classic dipping sauces for popcorn chicken. Ranch dressing and sweet chili sauce also pair nicely. Or you could toss the fried chicken in Buffalo or teriyaki sauce.
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