Nutritionist Shares Firecracker Chicken Popcorn Recipe Loaded with 38 Grams of Protein and Only 292 Calories

Healthy eating is easier said than done, especially if someone is a foodie. However, one does not always have to sacrifice taste on the altar of luxury.

On February 18, certified nutritionist and digital content creator Athira Sethumadhavan, on Instagram, shared a recipe that allows a person to indulge their appetite while not letting the calorie count get off track.

Read also | A fitness influencer shares her sugar-free strawberry walnut muffin recipe that contains 9 grams of protein and only 180 calories.

Athira describes her firecrackers The chicken popcorn is “crunchy, spicy, slightly sweet, and insanely addictive,” something that “feels like takeout” but fits well into a healthy diet, because it’s air-fried. Each serving of the dish provides 38 grams of protein, 12 grams of carbohydrates, nine grams of fat, and about 292 calories.

The quantities below make four servings.

Ingredients for popcorn chicken firecrackers:

A chick

• 400 grams of boneless chicken thigh, cut into small cubes
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon pepper powder
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• 1 egg white
• 2 tablespoons cornflour or arrowroot starch
• Oil spray

Fireworks sauce

• 1 tablespoon light butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic paste
• ½ – 1 teaspoon of chili flakes
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• A pinch of salt and pepper
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1-2 teaspoon mustard sauce
• 3-4 tablespoons hot water

appetizers

• Chopped green onions

Preparation method:

1. Marinade: Mix the chicken with all the marinade ingredients, egg whites, and corn flour. Rest 15 to 20 minutes.
2. Cooking (by one of the following methods)
   1. Air fryer: At 200°C for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking halfway through, until golden and crispy.
   2. Oven: Bake in a tray at 220°C for 18-22 minutes, turning once.
3. Fireworks Sauce: Melt the butter, sauté the garlic briefly, then add the chili flakes, chili powder, salt, pepper, honey, mustard, and hot water; Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Stir and serve: Coat the crispy chicken with the sauce, stir quickly, garnish with green onions and serve hot with the garlic yogurt sauce.
5. Garlic Yogurt Dip: Mix Greek yogurt, garlic paste, salt, pepper, honey, and chopped green onions—serves as a cold dip with spicy chicken.

Note to readers: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified these claims and does not endorse them.