Homemade Chicken Nuggets offer a deliciously crispy and juicy experience, similar to your favorite fast food chain's appetizer. Crafted with either chicken breast or thighs, these nuggets incorporate simple Italian seasoning, eggs, and a classic breading mixture. Perfect as a snack with various dips or as part of a hearty meal alongside pasta, coleslaw, French fries, or mac n' cheese, these nuggets are a versatile treat.
Jump to:
What sets these nuggets apart is the ease of making them at home, rivaling popular fast-food versions from chains like McDonald's or KFC. The beauty of homemade nuggets lies in their healthiness and the ability to tailor spices, oils, and chicken parts to your preference.
With a few essential tips and tricks, you can quickly whip up crispy, delightful nuggets for a kid-friendly snack or a festive dinner. Let's dive into how you can make these irresistible Chicken Nuggets at home.
Explore More Delectable Fried Chicken Dishes:
- Fried Chicken
- Fried Chicken Tenders
- Oven Fried Chicken
- Oven Fried Chicken Tenders
- Korean Fried Chicken
- Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
To create these delightful Homemade Chicken Nuggets, you'll need a selection of easily accessible ingredients, commonly found in your pantry or at any local grocery store. Let's explore what you'll need:
- Chicken: Opt for either chicken breast or thighs. Cut them into bite-sized pieces or ground them in a food processor for uniform nuggets.
- Breading: Use a combination of all-purpose flour and cornstarch for coating. While panko breadcrumbs can be mixed in, this recipe incorporates them with seasonings and ground chicken.
- Seasoning Spices: Essential spices include garlic, ginger, onion, black pepper, and paprika powders. Cayenne pepper and Italian mixed herbs are optional but add a flavorful touch.
- Egg: An egg keeps the chicken moist and helps the seasoning adhere. For an egg-free option, buttermilk is a suitable substitute.
- Oil: Choose a neutral oil such as canola or vegetable oil. For a healthier twist, olive, safflower, rice bran, or avocado oils are excellent alternatives.
How to Make Chicken Nuggets at Home?
Get ready to transform simple ingredients into crispy, mouth-watering Chicken Nuggets. Follow these easy steps - prep the breading, season the chicken, dip, coat, and fry - guided by photos and videos for perfect results!
Discover a Variety of Fried Chicken Delights:
- Popcorn Chicken
- Fried Chicken Wings
- Garlic Parmesan Wings
- Chicken Cutlets
- Chicken Lollipop
- Chicken Pakora
- Chicken 65
Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 lb Ground Chicken, or chicken breast pieces
- 1½ tsp Paprika, ½ tsp for chicken +1tsp for flour
- 1 tsp Onion powder, ½ tsp for chicken + ½ tsp for flour
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder, ½ tsp for chicken + ½ tsp for flour
- ½ tsp Ginger Powder
- 1 tsp Black Pepper Powder
- ¼ tsp Cayenne Pepper, optional, add it if you like extra spiciness
- ½ tsp Mixed Italian herbs, optional, ¼ tsp for flour + ¼ tsp for chicken
- ¼ cup Cornstarch
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- Salt, ½ tsp for chicken + ½ tsp for breading
- Oil, for frying chicken nuggets
- 2 Eggs
- ¼ cup Panko Breadcrumb, plain or Italian (both works)
Instructions
To Make Chicken Nuggets
- In a tray, combine all-purpose flour, cornstarch, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, mixed Italian herbs, and salt. Mix well and set aside. (You can omit the Italian herbs if preferred.)
- Crack open the eggs into a bowl, beat them well, and keep them aside.
- In a separate bowl, add minced chicken, onion, ginger, garlic, black pepper powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and panko breadcrumb. Mix everything until well combined.
- Take a small portion of the seasoned chicken mixture and shape it into a nugget.
- Dip the shaped nugget into the beaten egg, then coat it in the flour mixture. Ensure to shake off the excess flour. Repeat this process for all the chicken mixture.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken nuggets one at a time, taking care not to overcrowd the pan.
- Fry the nuggets until both sides turn golden in color.
- Once fried to a golden hue, remove the chicken nuggets from the oil.
To Serve
- Savor these Homemade Chicken Nuggets with dips like ketchup and mayonnaise, or your favorite sauces. Perfect as an appetizer or paired with sides like Mac n Cheese, roasted veggies, baked potatoes, and more.
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Chicken Choice: Ground or minced chicken, particularly from thighs, yields the juiciest texture. While store-bought minced chicken is convenient, fresh grounding of boneless, skinless thighs and breasts in a food processor is recommended for a healthier, preservative-free option.
- Using Chicken Breast: Chicken breast is a great alternative for this recipe. For nuggets made with breast pieces, cut them into small, bite-sized chunks. Season the pieces directly, dip in egg, coat with flour, and fry as per the instructions for tasty results
- Breading Ratio: Achieve a crispy exterior by using a 1:¼ ratio of all-purpose flour to cornstarch, mixed with seasonings. This balance is crucial for the ideal texture..
- Seasoning Flexibility: Basic pantry spices are used for flavoring. A small amount of cayenne pepper adds a gentle heat, but it's optional. Italian mixed herbs also enhance the taste but can be omitted if preferred.
- Frying Temperature: Oil temperature is vital. Heat it to a medium range (350°F to 375°F) for frying. Nuggets should cook for 4-5 minutes until golden.
- Extra Crispiness: For added crunch, mix panko breadcrumbs with the chicken or add them to the flour mixture. A ¼ cup of Parmesan in the flour can also mimic the crispiness of Chicken Parmesan.
- Egg Alternative: If avoiding eggs, buttermilk makes a great substitute for dipping the chicken before breading.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer: We’re not nutrition experts. Nutritional info is estimated and should be used as a guide. For precise details, consult a professional.
Discover a variety of fried chicken recipes, all complemented by delicious dips and sauces. Perfect for any occasion, these crispy and flavorful creations are guaranteed to delight your taste buds.
Troubleshooting
Follow these troubleshooting tips to achieve perfect Chicken Nuggets with a crispy exterior and a juicy interior, free from common cooking pitfalls.
Avoiding Hard or Rubbery Nuggets:
- Immediate Frying Post-Breading: Don't let breaded chicken sit. After coating with the flour mixture, immediately fry it. Resting causes the flour to absorb moisture from the egg and chicken, leading to a hard exterior when fried.
- Avoid Overcooking: Cooking chicken beyond the recommended time can lead to hard and rubbery nuggets. Maintain the perfect frying temperature and adhere to the suggested time range for juicy, tender nuggets.
Preventing Burned Exterior or Taste:
- Shake Off Excess Flour: Ensure to remove any excess flour before frying. Excess flour in the oil can burn and darken it, imparting a burnt flavor to your nuggets.
- Regulate Frying Temperature: Frying at too high a heat can quickly burn the outside while leaving the inside undercooked. Stick to a medium heat range for evenly cooked, golden nuggets.
Batter-Coated Chicken Nuggets
If you prefer a batter coating, follow the same flour seasoning as mentioned in the recipe card. Gradually add water to form a smooth batter. For an extra crunch, mix ¼ tsp of baking soda into the flour before adding water. This creates an airy, crispy exterior. Dip the chicken in egg, then in the batter, and fry until golden brown for a delightful variation.
Serving Suggestions
Discover a variety of serving options for your Homemade Chicken Nuggets, perfect for a quick snack or a hearty meal. Let's dive into these delicious pairings!
- Classic Snack Pairings: Enjoy these nuggets warm alongside French Fries, dipping them in ketchup, mayonnaise, honey mustard, chili sauce or your favorite dips. Perfect as a snack or appetizer.
- Comfort Food Combos: Pair them with comfort classics like creamy Mac n Cheese, or choose from a variety of roasted vegetables such as green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, or honey-glazed carrots for a wholesome meal.
- Pasta Pairings: Elevate your nugget meal with pasta dishes. Try them with creamy white sauce pasta, rich fettuccine alfredo, garlic parmesan pasta, or pasta saladd, macaroni salad, other pasta varieties of your choice.
- Pasta Pairings: Enhance your chicken nuggets with a selection of pasta dishes. Pair them with creamy white sauce pasta, rich fettuccine alfredo, garlic parmesan pasta, refreshing pasta salad, classic macaroni salad, or any other pasta variety you prefer.
Storage Suggestions
Follow these storage and reheating tips to ensure that your Homemade Chicken Nuggets remain delicious and convenient for later enjoyment.
- Immediate Consumption: For the best texture, enjoy these nuggets fresh out of the oil. They are at their crispiest and most delicious when served immediately.
- Refrigerator Storage: If you have leftovers, store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator. They'll stay good for up to 2 days.
- Freezing Instructions:
- Let the nuggets cool completely after cooking.
- Arrange them on a tray and freeze for 30 to 40 minutes until firm.
- Transfer the partially frozen nuggets to ziplock bags and store them in the freezer. They can be kept frozen for up to a month.
- Reheating: For optimal taste, reheat the nuggets in an oven or air fryer. There's no need to defrost frozen nuggets before reheating; they can go straight from freezer to oven or air fryer.
Leave a Review