Who made popcorn chicken?

There isn't a single, definitive inventor of popcorn chicken. It's likely that the dish evolved over time, with influences from different cultures and regions.

Here's what we know:

* Similar dishes exist in different parts of the world: Dishes like "karaage" in Japan and "chicken nuggets" in the US have a similar concept of small, bite-sized, fried chicken pieces.

* Popcorn chicken's popularity surged in the 1980s: This is when it started appearing on the menus of fast-food restaurants and was associated with brands like KFC.

* No specific inventor has been credited: Unlike some other popular food items, there isn't a single person who is universally recognized as the creator of popcorn chicken.

It's more likely that the dish arose from a combination of culinary influences and trends, rather than a single invention.