KFC, Popcorn Chicken
Whole food · Fast Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
KFC Popcorn Chicken consists of bite-sized, boneless pieces of chicken breast, marinated, breaded in a seasoned flour coating, and deep-fried to a crispy, golden brown. The texture is a satisfying crunch giving way to tender, juicy meat inside, with a savory, slightly peppery flavor profile. Nutritionally, it's a dense source of protein and fat, providing a quick energy boost but with a significant calorie load per serving.
Calorie split: 20% protein · 24% carbs · 56% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for the perfect combination of crispy coating and juicy chicken in a fun, shareable, no-mess format. It's a versatile snack or meal component that taps into comfort food culture and nostalgia for classic fast-food flavors.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high fat (21.74g) and calorie content (351 kcal per 100g) can contribute to weight gain if overconsumed, and the refined carbs may cause blood-sugar spikes. To counteract, pair it with a fiber-rich side salad or steamed vegetables to slow digestion, practice strict portion control, and consider it an occasional treat rather than a daily staple.
Key benefits
- High in protein (17.67g per 100g) for muscle maintenance.
- Convenient, portable, and ready-to-eat protein source.
- Provides quick energy from carbohydrates and fats.
- No added sugar in the base product.
- Satisfies savory cravings with a familiar, seasoned flavor.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'popcorn' name was trademarked by KFC in 1992, inspired by the way the small, irregular pieces resemble popped kernels of corn.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 35.6 g |
| Energy | 351 kcal |
| Energy | 1469 kj |
| Protein | 17.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 21.7 g |
| Ash | 3.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 21.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.00 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 0.00 g |
| Fructose | 0.00 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 18.4 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 32.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 28.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 299 mg |
| Potassium, K | 288 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 1140 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.98 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.08 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.23 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 26.1 ug |
| Thiamin | 0.18 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.13 mg |
| Niacin | 8.1 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 1.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.50 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.14 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.3 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.09 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 5.9 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 3.0 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.10 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 17.4 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 62.3 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 7.1 ug |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 4.0 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 2.7 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.0 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.02 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 5.7 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.23 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.23 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 5.3 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 5.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.08 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 10.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 9.4 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 9.3 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.58 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.58 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.16 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.05 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.05 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.10 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.10 g |
| Cholesterol | 40.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.23 g |
| Threonine | 0.72 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.79 g |
| Leucine | 1.4 g |
| Lysine | 1.3 g |
| Methionine | 0.36 g |
| Cystine | 0.21 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.74 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.47 g |
| Valine | 0.86 g |
| Arginine | 1.0 g |
| Histidine | 0.58 g |
| Alanine | 0.97 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.6 g |
| Glutamic acid | 3.8 g |
| Glycine | 0.76 g |
| Proline | 0.88 g |
| Serine | 0.71 g |
FAQ
Is KFC Popcorn Chicken made from white or dark meat?
It is primarily made from boneless, skinless chicken breast, which is white meat.
How does the calorie count compare to other KFC chicken items?
On a per-100g basis, Popcorn Chicken is more calorie-dense than Original Recipe chicken pieces due to its higher breading-to-meat ratio and frying method.
Can I reheat it to keep it crispy?
For best results, reheat in an oven or air fryer at a moderate temperature (around 350°F/175°C) for a few minutes. Microwaving will make the coating soggy.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.51 kcal/g · 20% calories from protein · 1.0 g fiber · 0.0 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 3.96 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.