Does Popeyes Have Popcorn Chicken? (Try This Instead!)

You will probably think of Popeyes and KFC when intending to purchase chicken snacks.

Since Popeyes is renowned for innovating unique and enticing chicken meals, you might be interested in finding out if the restaurant has popcorn chicken. We researched the matter, and here is everything we found out!

Does Popeyes Have Popcorn Chicken In 2024?

Popeyes does not sell popcorn chicken as of 2024. Popeyes popcorn chicken was offered as a limited edition of the restaurant’s snack chicken. However, there are several other restaurants like KFC and Sonic that sell popcorn chicken. Alternatively, customers can purchase chicken nuggets from Popeyes, which is an alternative to popcorn chicken.

If you want more information about Popeyes popcorn chicken, the alternative to Popeyes popcorn chicken, and other restaurants offering popcorn chicken, keep reading!

When Did Popeyes Sell Popcorn Chicken?

Popeyes offered popcorn chicken for a limited period.

When it was on the menu, the popcorn chicken consisted of batter-fried boneless chicken pieces that were shaped like large popcorn.

For a regular side of your choice, you could get a quarter-pound serving of Popeyes popcorn chicken and a biscuit for $4.

Additionally, to purchase a combo that included a drink, you would pay $5.

Does Popeyes Have Spicy Popcorn Chicken?

When Popeyes’ popcorn chicken was on the menu, the restaurant offered an option of red hot popcorn chicken.

Additionally, the spicy popcorn chicken featured chicken marinated in four blends of pepper: habanero, cayenne, black and white.

Naturally, these peppers made the hot popcorn chicken extremely spicy.

What Are Other Restaurants Sell Popcorn Chicken?

Other restaurants within the US selling the popcorn chicken include the following:

1. KFC

KFC sells popcorn chicken branded as “KFC Popcorn Chicken Nuggets.”

Previously, the company sold popcorn chicken which was discontinued in 2011, before reintroducing popcorn chicken nuggets in 2015.

2. Sonic

Sonic also sells popcorn chicken branded as “Sonic Jumbo Popcorn Chicken.”

Further, Sonic’s Jumbo Popcorn chicken is made of breaded white chicken meat that can be served on its own or with Honey BBQ or Buffalo sauce.

Also, you can purchase a Jumbo Popcorn Chicken combo by adding sides such as fries and tots as well as premium sides such as mozzarella sticks, onion rings, and Ched ‘R’ Peppers.

3. Chubby Rice

Chubby Rice is a Chinese restaurant in Hawthorne, California, specializing in Chinese cuisine.

Precisely, the Popcorn Chicken is found in the “Bite Me” section of the restaurant’s menu and is served for $7.00.

What Other Food Items Does Popeyes Have Instead Of Popcorn Chicken?

What Other Food Items Does Popeyes Have Instead Of Popcorn Chicken?

Currently, Popeyes’ popcorn chicken has been replaced and is likened to Popeyes Chicken nuggets.

However, the chicken nuggets were discontinued from the restaurant’s menu in 2012 but were re-introduced in 2021.

Further, Popeyes makes chicken nuggets using white meat, which is hand-battered and breaded in buttermilk coating.

Additionally, the chicken nuggets can be served alongside regular cajun fries, medium sweet tea, and biscuits upon request.

Popeyes chicken nuggets are available on the restaurant’s menu and can be purchased in-store through the Popeyes website or mobile app.

With that, under the “Nuggets” section on the Popeyes menu, you can purchase the following options:

  • Eight-piece Spicy Nuggets: eight pieces of spicy Popeyes chicken nuggets served with two sauces.
  • Eight-piece Nuggets: Eight pieces of chicken breasts served with two sauces.
  • 12-piece Spicy Nuggets: 12 pieces of Popeyes chicken nuggets served with two sauces.
  • 12-piece Nuggets: 12 pieces of chicken nuggets served with two sauces.
  • 24-piece Spicy Nuggets: 24 pieces of spicy chicken nuggets served with four sauces.
  • 24-piece Nuggets: 24 pieces of mild chicken nuggets served with four sauces.
  • 36-piece Spicy Nuggets: 36 pieces of spicy chicken nuggets served with six sauces.
  • 36-piece Nuggets: 36 pieces of mild chicken nuggets served with six sauces.
  • 48-piece Spicy Nuggets: 48 pieces of spicy chicken nuggets served with eight sauces.
  • 48-piece Nuggets: 48 pieces of chicken nuggets served with eight sauces.
  • Four-piece Spicy Nuggets Kids Meal: spicy nuggets served in a combo alongside GoGo squeeZ AppleSauce, Minute Maid Apple Juice, and Popeyes Kids Toy.
  • Four-piece Nuggets Kids Meal
  • Six-piece Spicy Nuggets Kids Meal
  • Six-piece Nuggets Kids Meal

What Are The Ingredients Used In Making Popeyes’ Popcorn Chicken?

Although Popeyes does not disclose the original recipe for its popcorn chicken, several individuals have recreated the popcorn chicken using copycat recipes.

According to the copycat recipes, four servings of Popeyes popcorn chicken are made up of the following ingredients:

  • One pound of boneless & skinless chicken breast
  • Vegetable oil
  • 2/3 cup of all-purpose flour
  • One tablespoon Kosher salt
  • Two tablespoons ground white pepper
  • One teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Two teaspoons paprika
  • Three eggs

Further, the instructions for making the popcorn chicken using the ingredients listed above are as follows:

  • Cut the one-pound boneless and skinless chicken breast into small pieces.
  • Heat three inches of oil to 350 F in a Dutch oven or a deep fryer.
  • Mix the flour, cayenne pepper, white pepper, salt, and paprika in a bowl.
  • Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl.
  • Work in batches by dipping chicken pieces into the bowl with eggs.
  • Shake off excess eggs and transfer the pieces into the flour mixture to coat.
  • Shake off excess ingredients and place the chicken pieces in the hot oil.
  • Fry the chicken pieces for approximately three to four minutes and transfer the pieces to a paper towel-lined plate or a cooling rack.
  • Serve the popcorn chicken with your favorite dipping sauces.

To learn more, you can also read our posts on whether or not Popeyes has mashed potatoes, does Popeyes have mac & cheese, and does Popeyes have wings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Popeyes’ popcorn chicken was offered as a limited item and is currently unavailable.

However, customers can purchase Popeyes chicken nuggets as an alternative to popcorn chicken.

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Florence Howard

Florence Howard has been freelance writing for over a decade, and has a vocational background in retail, tech, and marketing. Outside of work, she enjoys listening to rock and metal, and playing with her dog and cat.

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