Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Honey Butter Popcorn Chicken Tower with Crispy Beef Pepperoni

  • Author: Miya
  • Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Scale

For the Popcorn Chicken:

    • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces

    • 1 cup buttermilk (for marinating)

    • 1 cup all-purpose flour

    • 1 cup cornstarch

    • 1 teaspoon paprika

    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

    • 1 teaspoon onion powder

    • 1 teaspoon salt

    • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

    • Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Honey Butter Sauce:

    • 1/4 cup unsalted butter

    • 3 tablespoons honey

    • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

    • 1 teaspoon chili flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)

    • Salt, to taste

For the Crispy Beef Pepperoni:

    • 6 oz beef pepperoni, thinly sliced

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Garnishes:

    • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

    • Lemon wedges (optional, for freshness)

    • Extra honey (for drizzling)

Ingredient Highlights

    • Chicken Breast: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for making crispy popcorn chicken. They’re juicy and tender when fried, providing the perfect base for this dish.

    • Buttermilk: Marinating the chicken in buttermilk helps tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor. The acidity in the buttermilk also helps create a crispy exterior.

    • Flour and Cornstarch: The combination of flour and cornstarch creates a light, crispy coating on the chicken pieces, giving them a satisfying crunch.

    • Spices: Paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder add savory depth to the chicken, while salt and pepper round out the seasoning.

    • Honey Butter Sauce: The honey butter sauce is the star of the show. Sweet honey combined with creamy butter and a touch of garlic creates a rich, indulgent sauce that pairs perfectly with the chicken.

    • Beef Pepperoni: Thinly sliced beef pepperoni is lightly crisped in a pan, adding a satisfying crunch and deep, savory flavor to the tower. The beef pepperoni provides an extra punch of flavor that complements the honey butter sauce.

    • Fresh Garnishes: Fresh parsley and lemon wedges add a refreshing contrast to the richness of the dish.

Instructions

Here’s how to make your Honey Butter Popcorn Chicken Tower with Crispy Beef Pepperoni step-by-step:

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

    1. Prepare the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, ensuring they are all relatively the same size for even cooking.

    1. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, then stir to coat. Allow the chicken to marinate in the fridge for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour, to tenderize the meat.

Step 2: Prepare the Coating for the Chicken

    1. Make the Coating: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated.

    1. Coat the Chicken: Once the chicken has marinated, remove it from the buttermilk, letting any excess liquid drip off. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks. Set the coated chicken on a plate.

Step 3: Fry the Popcorn Chicken

    1. Heat the Oil: In a large skillet or deep pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). You should have enough oil to cover the chicken pieces when added.

    1. Fry the Chicken: Add the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry the chicken for 4-5 minutes per batch, or until golden brown and crispy. Use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

    1. Keep Warm: Keep the fried chicken warm in a low-temperature oven (around 200°F or 90°C) while you prepare the beef pepperoni and honey butter sauce.

Step 4: Make the Honey Butter Sauce

    1. Melt the Butter: In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.

    1. Add Honey and Brown Sugar: Stir in the honey, brown sugar, and garlic powder. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly and becomes smooth.

    1. Season: Taste the sauce and add salt if needed. For a bit of heat, you can stir in chili flakes. Once the sauce is done, remove it from the heat and set aside.

Step 5: Prepare the Crispy Beef Pepperoni

    1. Crisp the Beef Pepperoni: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef pepperoni slices and cook them for 2-3 minutes per side, or until crispy and slightly browned. Be sure not to burn them, as they can crisp up quickly.

    1. Drain: Remove the crispy beef pepperoni from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.

Step 6: Assemble the Honey Butter Popcorn Chicken Tower

    1. Build the Tower: On a large serving plate, create the first layer by arranging the fried popcorn chicken in a circular or stacked formation. Drizzle some of the honey butter sauce generously over the chicken.

    1. Layer the Chicken: Add another layer of popcorn chicken and drizzle more honey butter sauce over it. Repeat until all the chicken is stacked, with plenty of sauce in between each layer.

    1. Top with Crispy Beef Pepperoni: Once the tower is built, sprinkle the crispy beef pepperoni evenly over the top. You can let some of the beef pepperoni spill over the sides for a more dramatic effect.

    1. Garnish: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color. Serve with lemon wedges on the side to add a touch of brightness.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

    1. Serve: Cut the tower into portions and serve immediately. This dish is perfect for family-style dining, and the layers of crispy chicken and savory beef pepperoni will be a hit with everyone!

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4-6
  • Calories: 650-750
  • Fat: 38g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Protein: 40g

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Find it online: https://snackescape.com/honey-butter-popcorn-chicken-tower-with-crispy-beef-pepperoni/