KFC created the Popcorn Chicken menu item in 1992.
Popcorn chicken consists of small, bite-sized pieces of chicken that are seasoned, breaded, and fried. The name describes the pieces’ small size and snack-like use rather than a connection to popcorn itself.
KFC introduced the product in the United States in 1992, and it later became a recurring menu item in several countries. Availability, recipe, and branding have varied by market and over time.
Popcorn chicken is sometimes confused with chicken nuggets. Nuggets are generally larger, molded or formed pieces, while popcorn chicken is presented as many small individual pieces. Other restaurant chains have since sold similar bite-sized fried chicken, but KFC is credited with creating this menu item.