Description
These Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Chicken Poppers are crispy, bite-sized fried chicken pieces coated in a sweet and spicy pepper jelly glaze. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, they combine the classic heat of Nashville hot chicken with a flavorful, tangy glaze featuring pepper jelly, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Garnished with fresh parsley and sesame seeds, these poppers deliver a satisfying crunch and a kick of spice in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Poppers:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Nashville Hot Pepper Jelly Glaze:
- 1/2 cup pepper jelly
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp salt
For the Garnish (Optional):
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Poppers: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder to create the seasoned flour mixture.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip the bite-sized chicken pieces into the buttermilk, then dredge them in the flour mixture, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Shake off any excess flour before cooking.
- Heat the Oil: Pour about 1 inch of vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot enough for frying.
- Fry the Chicken Poppers: Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry each side for 3–4 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Make the Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the pepper jelly, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes a smooth glaze.
- Coat the Chicken: Place the fried chicken poppers in a large bowl and toss them with the hot pepper jelly glaze until evenly coated.
- Serve: Transfer the glazed chicken poppers to a serving platter and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and sesame seeds. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the level of spiciness to your liking.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to ensure a crispy coating and to prevent the chicken from becoming greasy.
- Use fresh chicken breasts for the best texture and taste.
- Serve immediately after coating for optimal crispiness.
- Leftover poppers can be reheated in a hot oven to retain crispness but are best enjoyed fresh.
