POPCORN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Dice chicken breasts into small bite-size pieces (3/4 inch x 3/4 inch).
• In a bowl, stir together buttermilk and hot sauce.
• Whisk together flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder in a shallow bowl.
• Place panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl.
• Heat oil (at least 4 inches deep, preferably 6 inches or more) in a Dutch oven. Heat oil to 350°F. The oil takes 15 minutes or so to heat to temperature. Use a candy or food thermometer to check the temperature. It must be the correct temperature before frying the chicken.
• Working with just a few pieces at a time, dip chicken pieces into the flour mixture, coating on all sides. Then dip chicken in buttermilk and finally into the panko breadcrumbs.
• Carefully drop just a few chicken pieces at a time into heated oil and fry until cooked through (the center should reach 165°F). The outside should be deep golden brown and crispy. Maintain an oil temperature of 350°F for best results. The chicken takes just 2 to 3 minutes to cook through.
• Place cooked chicken on paper towels or brown paper bags to soak up excess oil.