Crispy, Juicy Homemade Chicken Nuggets: Better Than Takeout!

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook: You Know What?

Remember when homemade chicken nuggets were the ultimate treat? Honestly, these crispy, juicy ones are on another level. We are talking restaurant quality flavor and taste right in your very own kitchen.

Brief Overview: Where Did This Come From Anyway?

Nuggets are basically American comfort food. This recipe takes about an hour, including chilling time. You'll get about 4 servings.

Main Benefits: So Why Bother?

These are way healthier than fast food. They're perfect for a family dinner. What makes this recipe special is that you know exactly what's in them.

Crispy, Juicy Homemade Chicken Nuggets: Better Than Takeout! Recipe Card

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Preparation time:50 Mins

Cooking time:20 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tsp (5g) kosher salt
• ½ tsp (2.5g) black pepper
• 1 tsp (5g) garlic powder
• ½ tsp (2.5g) onion powder
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp (5g) paprika
• ½ tsp (2.5g) cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 tsp (5g) dried thyme
• 1 tsp (5g) dried oregano
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 cups (approx. 160g) panko breadcrumbs
• Vegetable oil or Canola oil, for frying (or cooking spray for baking)

Instructions:

• Cut chicken into uniform nugget-sized pieces. Toss with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.
• In three separate shallow bowls, place the flour mixture, the beaten eggs, and the panko breadcrumbs.
• Dredge each chicken piece in flour, then dip in the egg, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs, pressing to adhere. Place breaded nuggets on a plate or baking sheet.
• Refrigerate the breaded chicken nuggets for at least 30 minutes. (This helps the breading stick!)
• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the nuggets in batches until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C), about 3-4 minutes per side.
• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place breaded nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spray generously with cooking spray. Bake for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
• Drain fried nuggets on a wire rack lined with paper towels. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:500

Fat:25g

Fiber:2g

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:American

Let's Make This Happen

Okay, let's get these nuggets of keyword wisdom sorted! You are going to need some chicken.

Ingredients: Gather Round!

For the Chicken

You will need 1.5 lbs (680g) of chicken breasts. cut them into 1-inch pieces. now season with 1 tsp (5g) kosher salt, ½ tsp (2.

5g) black pepper, 1 tsp (5g) garlic powder, and ½ tsp (2.5g) onion powder.

The Breading Station: Get Ready for Goodness!

Set up your breading station with:

• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour.
• 1 tsp (5g) paprika
• ½ tsp (2.5g) cayenne pepper (if you like it hot)
• 1 tsp (5g) dried thyme
• 1 tsp (5g) dried oregano
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 cups (approx. 160g) panko breadcrumbs.

Frying and Baking Needs

You will also need vegetable oil for frying. Alternatively, grab cooking spray if you're baking.

Equipment: What You'll Need

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• 3 shallow bowls (for breading station)
• Large skillet or deep fryer (for frying) OR baking sheet (for baking)
• Tongs
• Instant-read thermometer

Getting Started is the Key

Cut up your chicken and get it seasoned. you can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a richer, more flavorful nugget.

Make sure that you will preheat oven to 400° f ( 200° c). place the breaded nuggets in the baking sheet.

If you don't have panko breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs, but the texture won't be quite as crispy.

Ingredients & Equipment: Nugget Nirvana

Okay, let's get these nuggets of keyword wisdom sorted! so, you wanna make homemade chicken nuggets ? forget the frozen stuff, yeah? we're going for real flavour.

Honestly, it's easier than you think, once you have everything ready. so let's dive into the crispy chicken nuggets recipe essentials.

Main Ingredients: The Chickeny Core

For the chicken itself:

• You'll need 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Cut them into about 1-inch pieces.
• Season it with 1 tsp (5g) kosher salt, ½ tsp (2.5g) black pepper, 1 tsp (5g) garlic powder, and ½ tsp (2.5g) onion powder.

Chicken breast quality is key here. Look for plump breasts. They should be pink not grey.

For the breading:

• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour.
• 1 tsp (5g) paprika.
• ½ tsp (2.5g) cayenne pepper. I love that kick.
• 1 tsp (5g) dried thyme, and 1 tsp (5g) dried oregano.
• 2 large eggs, beaten and 2 cups (approx. 160g) panko breadcrumbs. Panko is crucial for that extra crunch.

Seasoning Notes: Spice Up Your Life!

Don't be afraid to experiment with your spices! Paprika and cayenne bring warmth. Thyme and oregano give that classic gourmet chicken nuggets vibe. No dried thyme? Dried marjoram works.

You can also try adding a pinch of smoked paprika for a crispy chicken nuggets recipe smoky flavour. a little mustard powder works wonders too.

If you want to create a kid-friendly chicken recipes , just add some oregano and sweet paprika and that's it.

Want them healthy chicken nuggets ? Just use fresh herbs in the breading instead of dried.

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

You don't need fancy kit. Just a few basics:

• Cutting board and a sharp knife. Obvious, right?
• Three shallow bowls for your breading station.
• A large skillet or a deep fryer. Or a baking sheet for baking baked chicken nuggets .
• Tongs for flipping.
• An instant-read thermometer. Seriously . Essential. Chicken needs to hit 165° F ( 74° C) internally to be safe. No one wants salmonella.

No deep fryer? No problem. A large skillet works just fine. Baking is great too. For a air fryer chicken nuggets use 375° F ( 190° C).

Making your own homemade chicken nuggets is so rewarding! you get that amazing panko chicken nuggets crunch. plus you know exactly what's going into them.

You can also create your own chicken nugget dipping sauce . let's get cooking! this easy chicken nugget recipe will be a hit, i promise.

Crispy, Juicy Homemade Chicken Nuggets: Better Than Takeout!

Okay, let's get these nuggets of wisdom sorted! honestly, who doesn't love crispy chicken nuggets ? forget those beige, bland things from the freezer aisle.

We're making homemade chicken nuggets that are actually juicy and full of flavor. trust me, once you try this recipe, you'll never go back.

We're talking gourmet nuggets here, people.

Prep Steps: Nugget Nirvana Starts Now

Time to get our act together. this is where the magic starts. first, the essential mise en place . get everything chopped, measured, and ready to go.

Cut 1.5 lbs (680g) of chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. time-saving tip? do this ahead of time! you can even marinate the chicken overnight for extra flavor.

Remember, always wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw chicken. safety first!

Step-by-Step: Let's Get Nuggetizing!

This part is actually easier than you think!

1. Prepare the Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with 1 tsp (5g) kosher salt , ½ tsp (2.5g) black pepper , 1 tsp (5g) garlic powder , and ½ tsp (2.5g) onion powder .
2. Set up the Breading Station: Get three shallow bowls ready. One with 1 cup (120g) of all-purpose flour , 1 tsp (5g) of paprika , ½ tsp (2.5g) cayenne pepper , 1 tsp (5g) of dried thyme , and 1 tsp (5g) of dried oregano . Another with 2 large eggs , beaten. The last with 2 cups (approx. 160g) of panko breadcrumbs .
3. Bread the Chicken: Dredge each piece in flour, then egg, then panko. Press that panko on good!
4. Chill the Nuggets: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Don't skip this.
5. Cook the Nuggets (Frying): Heat oil to 350° F ( 175° C) . Fry for 3- 4 minutes per side, until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165° F/ 74° C .
6. Cook the Nuggets (Baking): Bake at 400° F ( 200° C) for 12- 15 minutes , flipping halfway.

Visual cues are key. Look for that golden-brown perfection!

Pro Tips: Secret Nugget Agent Status

Want to take your homemade chicken nuggets to the next level? double dredge! flour, egg, panko then repeat . also, don't overcrowd the pan when frying or baking.

It'll lower the temperature and you'll end up with soggy nuggets. make-ahead option? absolutely! bread the nuggets, freeze them, then cook them straight from frozen (you might need to add a few minutes to the cooking time).

Common mistakes? overcooking. use that thermometer!

Honestly, these easy chicken nugget recipe nuggets are a lifesaver on busy weeknights. plus, they're way healthier than anything you'd get at a drive-through.

And the dipping sauce? that's a whole other story. i love a good chicken nugget dipping sauce , especially honey mustard.

Whether you're after baked chicken nuggets , panko chicken nuggets , or air fryer chicken nuggets , this base recipe is your friend.

And it's totally a kid-friendly chicken recipes , everyone will love them!

Recipe Notes for the Best Ever Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Alright, let's get these nuggets of keyword wisdom sorted! we’ve tackled the recipe, now let's chat about making these homemade chicken nuggets truly epic .

Honestly, it’s all in the details. here are some handy tips and tricks.

Serving Suggestions: Plating Like a Pro!

Okay, presentation matters, right? Forget just chucking them on a plate. Think a little bit!

For the kids, serve these crispy chicken nuggets recipe with a side of sweet potato fries. a dollop of ketchup or ranch dressing is a win.

For a more "grown-up" vibe, try arranging them artfully on a platter. serve with gourmet chicken nuggets dipping sauces like sriracha mayo or a tangy honey mustard.

Baked chicken nuggets are also great with a vibrant coleslaw to cut through the richness.

Storage Tips: Nugget Longevity!

Got leftovers? (if you do, you're stronger than i am). refrigeration: pop them in an airtight container. they'll keep for about 3-4 days.

Freezing: you can freeze these bad boys! lay them out in a single layer on a baking sheet first. once frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag.

They'll last for up to 2 months.

Reheating: Oven or air fryer is best. This way you will achieve an extra crispy chicken nuggets recipe . Avoid the microwave if you want to keep them crispy!

Variations: Customise Your Nuggets!

Want to mix things up? I hear you!

• Dietary Adaptation 1: Need gluten-free? Easy! Use gluten-free all-purpose flour and panko chicken nuggets .
• Dietary Adaptation 2: Swap out the chicken breasts for chicken thighs if you want a richer flavor. You know?
• Seasonal Swaps: In the summer, serve them with a fresh corn salad. In the fall, an apple slaw is amazing.

Nutrition Basics: Fueling Your Body!

Let's be real. These aren't health food , but homemade is always better than processed.

Each serving of fried chicken nuggets, has approximately 450-550 calories. they contain a good amount of protein (40-50g). they also provide some carbs (25-35g) and fats (20-30g).

The beauty is you control the ingredients!

So, there you have it! My little nuggets of wisdom. Go forth and make these homemade chicken nuggets . Trust me, you won't regret it.