Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Try this easy homemade chicken nuggets recipe! Crispy, flavorful, and made with real chicken, it’s the best recipe for a quick meal or snack.
Why You’ll Love Homemade Chicken Nuggets
We all love comforting food like chicken nuggets since we were kids. I use chicken breast recipes at least once a week, as they are usually easy to make, versatile, and affordable. Some of my favorite recipes are chicken gyros, one-pot chicken and rice, chicken salad, and, of course, my famous best chicken breast recipe.
While McDonald’s chicken nuggets are the most famous, I believe that my homemade chicken nuggets are even better. You get to control the ingredients, ensuring they’re made with real chicken breasts, fresh seasonings, and no unnecessary additives. These nuggets are easy to make, especially when using a food processor, and you can even prepare them ahead of time for meal prep. Whether you fry or bake them, these crispy nuggets make a perfect snack, lunch, or dinner that the whole family will love.
How to Make Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Here’s how to make homemade chicken nuggets broken down into a few main steps:
1. Prepare the Chicken Mixture
- Blend chicken breasts with seasonings and breadcrumbs in a food processor to create a uniform mixture.
2. Shape the Nuggets
- Form the chicken mixture into nugget shapes and freeze briefly to make them easier to handle.
3. Coat the Nuggets
- Set up a coating station with bowls of flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs, then coat each nugget.
4. Fry or Bake
- Fry the nuggets in hot oil until golden and crispy, or bake them in the oven for a healthier version.
5. Serve and Enjoy
Drain on paper towels and serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
Ingredients for Chicken Nuggets
Chicken Breasts: The base of the nuggets, providing lean protein and the primary flavor.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavor of the chicken and other seasonings.
Pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the seasoning.
Garlic Powder: Contributes a savory, slightly sweet flavor.
Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky flavor and a bit of color to the nuggets.
Breadcrumbs (in the mixture): Helps bind the chicken mixture together, ensuring a better texture.
Flour (for coating): Creates a dry surface to help the egg stick and adds structure to the crispy coating.
Eggs: Acts as a binder to help the breadcrumbs adhere to the nuggets, forming the crispy crust.
Breadcrumbs (for coating): Provides the crispy, crunchy exterior.
Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder (for coating): Additional seasoning to ensure the outer layer is flavorful.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets With Food Processor
Making Chicken Nuggets with a Food Processor is an easy and efficient way to achieve perfectly crispy, homemade nuggets. By using the food processor, you can quickly blend the chicken with seasonings to create a uniform texture, ensuring the nuggets are tender and flavorful. This method saves time and effort, allowing you to shape the nuggets easily while maintaining a consistent size and texture. Plus, it results in crispy, golden nuggets that are perfect for any meal or snack!
Can We Bake Chicken Nuggets?
Yes, you can bake chicken nuggets for a healthier alternative! To do this, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). After coating the nuggets, arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and lightly spray them with cooking oil for extra crispiness. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the nuggets are golden and cooked through. This method still gives you crispy, delicious chicken nuggets without frying.
Which Part Is Best for Chicken Nuggets?
The best part of the chicken for making nuggets is chicken breasts. Chicken breasts are lean, tender, and have a mild flavor, making them ideal for creating nuggets with a consistent texture. They also cook quickly and provide a firm bite that holds up well when coated and fried or baked. Alternatively, chicken thighs can be used if you prefer a juicier, more flavorful nugget, as they have slightly more fat than breasts. Both cuts work well, depending on your texture and flavor preferences!
How to Serve Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets can be served in a variety of fun and delicious ways! Here are a few ideas:
- With Dipping Sauces: Serve them with classic sauces like ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch for a quick snack or meal.
- As a Meal: Pair them with sides like fries, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or a fresh salad for a complete, balanced meal.
- In Wraps or Sandwiches: Stuff the chicken nuggets in a tortilla or sandwich with lettuce, tomatoes, and your favorite sauce for a quick and tasty wrap or sandwich.
- On a Party Platter: Serve chicken nuggets as finger food on a platter with a variety of dips for gatherings or parties.
Substitutes and Variations
Here are some great substitutes and variations for homemade chicken nuggets:
Substitutes:
- Chicken: You can use ground turkey or pork for a different flavor profile.
- Breadcrumbs: Swap with panko for extra crunch, or use crushed cornflakes or almond flour for a gluten-free option.
- Eggs: Replace eggs with buttermilk or a flaxseed mixture for an egg-free version.
Variations:
- Baked Nuggets: For a healthier option, bake the nuggets instead of frying.
- Spicy Nuggets: Add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the seasoning for a spicy kick.
- Cheesy Nuggets: Mix grated Parmesan into the breadcrumb coating for a cheesy flavor.
- Vegetarian: Try using mashed chickpeas or tofu as a plant-based nugget option.
These ideas let you customize the recipe to suit your preferences!
How to Make Chicken Nuggets In An Air Fryer
Making chicken nuggets in an air fryer is a healthier and easy alternative to frying them in oil. Here’s how to do it:
1. Prepare the Chicken Nuggets
Follow the same steps as the regular recipe by blending chicken breasts with seasonings and forming the nuggets. Coat them in flour, dip them in egg, and then coat them with breadcrumbs.
2. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for about 3-5 minutes.
3. Cook the Nuggets
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the nuggets in a single layer. Lightly spray the nuggets with oil to help them crisp up. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden and cooked through.
4. Serve
Once crispy and cooked, serve your air-fried chicken nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce!
How to Store Homemade Chicken Nuggets
- In the Refrigerator: Place cooled nuggets in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer to restore crispiness.
- In the Freezer: After cooking and cooling, freeze the nuggets on a baking sheet for 1-2 hours to prevent sticking, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be stored for up to 3 months. Reheat frozen nuggets in the oven or air fryer for best results.
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Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Ingredients
For the chicken mixture:
- 2 (600 g) Chicken breasts cut into small chunks
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 3 tablespoons Breadcrumbs
For the coating:
- Breadcrumbs
- Flour
- 3 Eggs
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Garlic powder to taste
Instructions
- To a bowl of a food processor or high powdered blender place chicken chunks, salt, pepper and garlic powder and breadcrumbs. Pulse until combined.
- From the mixture shape nuggets patties. Arrange them on a cutting board and freeze for 10-15 minutes.
- Prepare 3 bowls: in the first bowl mix flour with spices, in the second bowl whisk eggs, in the third bowl place breadcrumbs.
- Coat each nugget in flour, then dip in beaten eggs, then coat with breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil to 180C (350F).
- Fry chicken nuggets, in batches, in hot oil until golden and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes.
- Remove from oil and transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Video
Notes
- FAQs: Make sure you read the FAQs for this recipe which are located below the recipe box for additional tips and troubleshooting! For extra tips and variations read the article.
- Freeze Before Coating: Freezing the nuggets for 10-15 minutes makes them easier to handle and helps maintain their shape during frying.
- Use a Food Processor: This ensures the chicken mixture is evenly blended, giving you a uniform texture.
- Double-Coat for Extra Crunch: For an extra crispy exterior, repeat the flour and breadcrumb coating process.
- Test Oil Temperature: Ensure the oil is at 180°C (350°F) to avoid soggy or undercooked nuggets.
- Air Fryer Option: Use an air fryer for a healthier version. Spray nuggets with oil for best results.
- Custom Seasonings: Feel free to adjust the seasonings like paprika, garlic powder, or add cayenne for a spicier kick.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour for gluten-free chicken nuggets.
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make chicken nuggets without a food processor. Simply chop the chicken breasts finely using a sharp knife or use pre-ground chicken. Mix the seasonings and breadcrumbs manually until you get a uniform consistency.
Yes, you can bake chicken nuggets. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), place the nuggets on a baking sheet, spray them with oil, and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through for even crispiness.
To make chicken nuggets in an air fryer, cook them at 180°C (350°F) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Lightly spray the nuggets with oil to ensure they get crispy.
Yes, you can freeze uncooked chicken nuggets. Arrange them on a tray and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored for up to 3 months. Cook directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Chicken breasts are the best choice for making nuggets because they provide a lean, tender texture. However, chicken thighs can also be used if you prefer a juicier, more flavorful nugget.
Soggy nuggets are usually caused by frying at too low of a temperature or overcrowding the pan. Ensure the oil is at 180°C (350°F) and fry the nuggets in small batches to keep them crispy.
For gluten-free chicken nuggets, simply replace regular flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Yes, pre-ground chicken works well for making homemade chicken nuggets. It saves time and ensures an even texture, although you might need to adjust the seasoning slightly for taste.
Chicken nuggets pair well with a variety of sauces, including ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, ranch, or even spicy mayo. You can also try sweet chili sauce or garlic aioli for something different.
Thanks for this recipe! How many pieces consist of one serving according to you?
Can these be air fried? I’m not really to good at cooking but I’d like to try…