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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.
The breading was so salty, almost inedible. If we scraped it off the chicken, it was fine. Used a store bought cajun seasoning and did not add additional salt to the mixture. The chicken was very pale in color, definitely did not look like the photos. Also, the sauce was a fail. Went straight down the drain. I used a honey infused with chiles, thought the extra kick would be good but did not work with this. The extra virgin olive oil taste was too much. I was so excited about this recipe, total bummer. ?
Hey Jess,
So sorry to hear you did not enjoy this recipe, unfortunately it sounds like you made quite a few substitutes, next time I would stick with the recipe as is for best results:) xTieghan
This was Unreal!! Honestly tasted like chickfila and the sauce was like chickfila sauce. Wish I could post a pic of it, looked exactly like the pic
Hey Izzah,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I am so glad that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan
Just made this for dinner! Turned out delicious, thank you!
Hey Isabel,
I am delighted that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it! ☘️ xTieghan
Have made these twice and they are absolutely delicious! And so easy to make 🙂 I used almond milk instead of buttermilk for a healthier option, and gluten free corn flakes.
I didn’t like the flavour of the sauce, but we just had with ketchup and bbq. Highly recommended!!!
Hey Tamara,
Thank you so much for giving the recipe a go! I am thrilled it was enjoyed. xTieghan
This is my 5th recipe from HBH and I have not been disappointed! This meal was a quick make to packed with flavor.
Hey Hannah,
I am so glad you have enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for making it! Have a great week! xTieghan
This was delicious!! We put the chicken on a kale and Brussels sprout salad and used the honey mustard as our dressing. Big hit!!
Hey Gabrielle,
Thanks so much for making the recipe, I am delighted it was enjoyed! Happy Friday:) xTieghan
This was delicious! Easy to make too! Ingredients you have laying around the house 🙂 yummy! The family loved it
Hey Daisy,
I so appreciate you giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled it was enjoyed! xTieghan
You always have great recipes! I soaked the diced chicken pieces with the 1/2 cup buttermilk and 1 tablespoon of the Cajun spice overnight for extra Cajun flavor.
Hey Kevin,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! Happy Valentine’s Day❤️ xTieghan
So delicious and flavourful! And the honey mustard sauce is the perfect accompaniment! Will try in the Air fryer next! ??????????
Hey Linda,
I am thrilled you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for giving it a try! xTieghan
This recipe is AMAZING! I made it this past Super Bowl Sunday and it came out perfect, including the sauce. This will now become a regular for us on “game days” for all sports. Thanks Tieghan, you rock!
Hey Michelle,
I am delighted you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
Hi! Love everything you do! Silly cornflake question. 2 cups FINELY CRUSHED or 2 cups right out of the box?
Hey Christine,
2 cups out of the box:) I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Superb!!! These really hit the spot for a crunchy, spicy treat!! And so quick easy which always makes it taste better when you’re feeding a hungry crew!!
Hey Kim,
I am thrilled this recipe was enjoyed, thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan
I made these tonight. Loved the sauce, but the chicken was very salty, difficult to eat – probably because Cajun seasoning is very salty. I think cooking any more than 15 minutes was another problem. I cooked them for 20 minutes because I wanted them a little darker, but the chicken was too dry.
Hey Jim,
Sorry you had issues with the recipe, let me know if I can help in anyway! xTieghan
Can I use milk or yogurt instead of buttermilk?
Hey Miriam,
Yes, whole milk will work just fine here. I hope you love the recipe, let me know how it turns out! xTieghan
Could you substitute boneless chicken thighs for the breasts. With Covid lockdown limited to what I have as we don’t shop if we don’t have to. Thanks
Hey Janice,
Absolutely, boneless thighs would work well here! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan