Our chicken poppers are similar to the original recipe for breaded chicken parmigiana, smothered in marinara sauce and topped with melted provolone and mozzarella cheese.
This quick and easy appetizer can be made from scratch or in less than 30 minutes using store-bought ingredients if you use pre-cooked chicken nuggets or (tenders cut up) and in a hurry.
The ingredients are all simplified and we have several suggestions that you may like below and substitutions that still will satisfy any "parmigiana" style lover of this recipe.
The best part about this recipe is we make huge pans on skewers like kabobs for large events or smaller amounts when entertaining a small dinner party.
Just scroll down for all our suggestions and recipe ideas.
Italian-American Foods
If you love easy appetizers this is going to be your new favorite it has all the same great chicken parmesan bites have all the flavor of this popular meal for all fans out there.
Once you decide whether you want to tackle this all homemade or just use cooked chicken with sauce and cheese, you're on your way to a favorite hit at every gathering.
The creative ideas are really endless as you can serve these mini chicken bites even with garlic bread on the side.
Have a jar of marinara sauce handy or make our homemade marinara recipe either way you're going to love this idea.
Your recipes can be adapted to using all store-bought ingredients for a quick weeknight meal or make everything homemade from scratch starting with my original Chicken Parmesan recipe.
Ingredients For Chicken Parmesan Poppers
- fresh chicken cubed for all homemade versions or use
- store-bought chicken patties cut up, nuggets, or chicken tenders
- marinara sauce homemade or your favorite jarred sauce
- shredded non-smoked provolone and slices of mozzarella cheese, or use shredded cheeses you prefer
- granulated garlic powder, salt, pepper oregano
- egg
- panko
- flour
- Parmesan cheese
- Optional: chopped fresh basil
Tips and Combination Suggestions
- leftovers made the best sandwiches.
- Broil the top for a crispy cheese
- Use cooked breaded, grilled, or rotisserie chicken
- wrap with crispy bacon
- Keep your favorite jarred sauce on hand for fast appetizers
- Chicken patties, tenders, and even nuggets can be used
- Havarti, provolone, mozzarella, or any good melting cheese can be used
- Serve with garlic bread on the side
- Substitute eggplant cubes for all vegetarians or another vegetable you can cube
- Sausage, peppers, onions, marinara sauce, and mozzarella are another combination instead of chicken kabobs
More Chicken Recipes To Try
Chicken Francese
Baked Taste Like Fried Lemon Chicken Cutlets
Bundt Pan Roasted Chicken
Pin for later
Easy Fast Chicken Bites
There are so many possibilities to make this quick appetizer plus they're perfect for all occasions.
I really love the fact you can make these all from scratch or get them done quickly when buying all premade ingredients.
I usually air fry the chicken tenders, add the sauce and cheese, and voila instant appetizer bites in less than 15 minutes.
I would love to hear what your creations are so leave us a comment and let us know what you've done to make these chicken parmesan poppers for your next party and how you liked them.
Chicken Parm Poppers
Yield: 20
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 20 MinTotal time: 30 Min
These are chicken parmesan popper appetizers. Little cubes with marinara and mozzarella with parmesan cheese all in one bite.
Ingredients
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon roasted granulated garlic powder or use regular
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan and more for sprinkling on when serving
- 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tbsp. water
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 pounds of. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
- salt and pepper to taste
- Canola or vegetable oil, for frying
- Air Frying will require brushing oil on the basket
- Baked will require cooking spray oil or a greased baking sheet.
- 1 cup store-bought marinara or use our freshly made recipe
- 1 cup of grated whole milk mozzarella or provolone (or use a combination)
- Optional Garnish: freshly chopped basil
- Small skewers or toothpicks
Instructions
- For Baking preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- For Air Fry preheat the air fryer for 4 minutes before cooking at 400 degrees air fry turning once for 8 minutes (4 minutes on each side).
- For Pan-fried heat 2 inches of oil on medium heat.
- These can be fried, air-fried, or baked see notes for cooking methods.
- Set up 3 pie plates for a breading station with flour, and breadcrumbs with added 1/4 cup of grated cheese, oregano, garlic, salt and pepper, and egg in different bowls.
- Cut the chicken into small bite-sized pieces on a cutting board around 2 inches in size.
- Roll the chicken in flour, then dip into egg then panko breadcrumbs.
- Choose a cooking method.
- Pan fry 5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Bake will take around 20 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Air Fry will take 8 minutes at 400 degrees.
- All Cooking Methods:
- Place the chicken on a heat-resistant baking pan.
- Top with marinara sauce, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese, add a toothpick for each piece, and broil for 2 minutes until cheese is melted.
- These can be done individually or in one casserole layered with sauce and cheese.
- Note: If using small skewers for kabobs, thread the cooked chicken on the skewers. Place on a baking sheet. Add the sauce cheese and broil until the cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle with any remaining grated cheese when serving.
- Garnish with fresh chopped basil if desired
Notes
Tips and Combination Suggestions
- leftovers made the best sandwiches.
- Broil the top for a crispy cheese
- Use cooked breaded, grilled, or rotisserie chicken
- wrap with crispy bacon
- Keep your favorite jarred sauce on hand for fast appetizers
- Chicken patties, tenders, and even nuggets can be used
- Havarti, provolone, mozzarella, or any good melting cheese can be used
- Serve with garlic bread on the side
- Substitute eggplant cubes for all vegetarians or another vegetable you can cube
- Sausage, peppers, onions, marinara sauce, and mozzarella are another combination instead of chicken kabobs
Pin for later
Other Recipes To Try
Mommy's Chicken Nuggets
Baked Taste Like Fried Lemon Chicken Cutlets
Bundt Pan Roasted Chicken