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Switching up the average weeknight dinner with this Oven Fried Cajun Popcorn Chicken with a sweet and creamy honey mustard sauce…bar food, but healthier! Cajun breaded “popcorn” chicken bites, oven-baked, and served with an addicting creamy, sweet, and tangy honey mustard sauce. Enjoy as a healthier game day appetizer or turn into a family dinner with oven-roasted french fries and veggies. It’s fun, different, delicious, peppery, and full of flavor. This popcorn chicken is sure to be loved by all.
How much of a Super Bowl fan are you? My hope is that you’ll at least be watching the game. Because today’s recipe, as well as tomorrow’s, is very much inspired by Sunday’s game. You’d think growing up with five brothers that I’d be more into football, but the truth is that I just never got into it. I love Sunday night football because I find it comforting to hear playing in the background, it always takes me back to being a kid. Other than that it’s just not really my thing…that said I also never watch TV. Maybe I just need to give it another try?
Either way, my brothers, of course, love all things football. Same with my dad. They’re all in fantasy leagues and watch every Sunday (Monday and Thursday too). But most importantly…they live for game day food. But then…don’t we all?
And that’s where today’s recipe comes into play. I knew I needed to create a few good recipes for everyone to enjoy this Sunday. But I also wanted them to be recipes that can be enjoyed throughout the week, on any given day. Enter in this popcorn chicken. Baked, not fried, and seasoned heavily with homemade cajun seasoning.
Nothing is better than this oven fried cajun popcorn chicken. Ok, that’s too dramatic, but this recipe really is delicious. And if you love a healthier take on “bar” food you have to give this popcorn chicken a try.
I’ve made popcorn chicken before, so I had my basic breading formula down. Therefore throwing this recipe together was easy.
To start, I made my homemade cajun seasoning blend from the HBH Super Simple cookbook but added additional chili powder for a touch more spice. You can use this homemade blend or you can use your favorite store-bought cajun seasoning blend (I love this one from McCormick).
Next, bread the chicken. Toss the chicken in a little buttermilk, then coat it in finely crushed corn flakes seasoned with a good amount of cajun seasoning. The finely crushed corn flakes are KEY. They really give the chicken an authentic “fried” taste and texture, without actually frying the chicken. I’ve used this method for years and it never fails.
Tip? Pulse the corn flakes in the food processor to really break them down into a fine crumb.
Next, bake the chicken in the oven until it crisps all over. My secret is to gently dab/brush the chicken with olive oil before it bakes. This helps the coating to really crisp up nicely in the oven. You can’t skip this step, it’s crucial.
You can’t have oven fried chicken without sauce. Always need the sauce. Always.
I went back and forth on three variations of this sauce. But after multiple text messages with my eldest brother, Creighton, who LOVES popcorn chicken more than anyone AND loves spicy cajun more than anyone, I landed on a creamier honey mustard sauce. He said it was a no brainer, creamy always wins.
While the chicken is baking, make the sauce. This sauce is hands down a new favorite. For one, it’s EASY. Just mix, stir, and done. It’s made using creamy sour cream, honey, mustard, more of that cajun seasoning, and just a touch of lemon. It’s extra creamy, a touch sweet, and a touch spicy. So perfect as a side with this chicken. The creaminess in the sauce makes everything heartier, but the sweetness balances out the spice.
Here is what I will note, I used sour cream, which I only recently started to use. Typically, I always use Greek yogurt in sauces. But when I was making this dish I decided I wanted to try something different. Once I used real sour cream I was hooked. It makes a really GOOD sauce. However, I did make the same sauce with Greek yogurt and found it to be creamy and delicious as well.
Another note, the sour cream (or yogurt) adds a slight tanginess, if you want something more mellow, I would suggest using mayo. I’m personally not big on mayo, but I’m sure it would be great in this sauce.
Since Creighton helped me so much with putting this recipe together, I had to send him a few pics for his seal of approval. Sadly, he’s not in town right now to actually try the chicken, but he’ll be home soon, so I will be remaking.
His response…well it made my Monday…
“That looks fire! I like how u sprinkled some sauce over top of the chicken already. To wet the appetite. Nice move.”
Got to love him. He’s always got something funny to say.
Point? This popcorn chicken is so very good. The seasoning is KEY. The sauce is KEY. I’d recommend serving with home-baked french fries and plenty of veggies on the side. Great for a weeknight, fun for game day, either way, these will be a hit!
If you make this oven fried cajun popcorn chicken, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
These were AMAZING! And our three kids loved them. Will definitely be making again!
That is so great! Thank you for trying these Morgan! xTieghan
Amazing and so good thank you for the recipe. Great hit for Super Bowl my family loved them!
Loved this recipe! My grocery store didn’t have buttermilk so I used sour cream to coat the chicken and it worked well. Delicious!
Perfect! I am so glad this turned out so well for you Morgan! xTieghan
These were SO GOOD. They were quickly devoured! Will make again and again.
Thank you so much Ashley! I am so glad you loved this recipe! xTieghan
This is so good! The chicken was perfect and the honey mustard sauce was a hit with my whole family. It went by quicker than I thought it would!
Amazing! Thank you for trying this recipe Jessica! xTieghan
This was amazing and will be on repeat. I used yogurt for the sauce. Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you Randy! I am so glad you loved this! xTieghan
Do you think this would work with gluten free Chex mix? I can’t have corn.
Thanks!
Hey Jessica! Yes, you can use gluten free Chex! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
This is simply delicious. Easy to put together and WOW the heat to the sauce is spectacular. I’m going to try shrimp next time & substitute unsweetened coconut for the cheddar cheese. Will most definitely make again & again
YES! I am so happy to hear that! Thank you Hay! xTieghan
I made these tonight – so delicious! The chicken was tender and so tasty and the sauce perfect with the chicken! I will definitely make this again!
Thank you so much Esther!! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan! I just made these exactly per the recipe… They are cooling on the stove top… My husband walks in and tries one. Or two. Or three. Or a fourth of the pan. “Mmmm What have you done?” He says. “So good. So many flavors.” I tell him to try with the sauce. “Mmmmm.” Thanks. This one is def a keeper ???
Haha wow! I am so glad you both loved these Cindy!! Thank you! xTieghan
I can’t wait to try this Monday! Could I substitute almond flour for regular flour? And if so how much would I need?
Hey Sara! Almond flour will be great. Use an equal amount. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
Ran home to make these tonight because I knew the Boyf would like them. I loved them too!! Will definitely make again. I didn’t love the honey mustard dip, but the chicken was glorious.
Thank you so much Alexa! So glad to hear that! xTieghan
I made these tonight for my family and they were a hit! So good.
Thank you so much! xTieghan
Can’t wait to try these but hate the thought of buying corn flakes as I would not use them for anything else. Whole grain flaked cereal or panko?
Hi Marie! I would recommend using panko. I think that will be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
I have an olive oil sprayer (Misto I think) would that work instead of dabbing the chicken or so you think it would be too much?
Hi Bob! Your olive oil mister will work great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan