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This easy homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe features perfectly cooked homemade chicken nuggets that are crispy on the outside and juicy and flavorful on the inside. Skip store-bought chicken nuggets and learn how to make them at home!
Comforting chicken nuggets are popular for a reason – they’re packed with hearty chicken and fried or baked to crispy perfection thanks to a light Panko breadcrumb coating. And they are flavorful without being overwhelming, making them kid-friendly as well as adult-friendly! Enjoy these nuggets for dinner or lunch or as an appetizer to nibble on while you’re making dinner.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Nuggets Recipe
- Homemade. Doesn’t everything taste so much better when you make it yourself? This chicken nuggets recipe makes nuggets that are worlds ahead of any chicken nuggets you can buy at the store. And, you can make them in advance and freeze them so you can enjoy them any time.
- Easy. Yes, there are a few more steps needed to make homemade chicken nuggets than reheating a package of frozen nuggets, but not many. I think you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to make your nuggets – plus, the taste is beyond worth it.
- Everyone loves them. If your kids are anything like my kids, they will absolutely adore homemade chicken nuggets. You can even involve them in the cooking process. My kids love helping to form the chicken into nuggets and then dipping them into the various breading mixtures.
What You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need to make homemade chicken nuggets. Don’t forget to check the recipe card at the end of this post for the full ingredient amounts.
Nuggets
- Chicken – I use boneless and skinless chicken breast to keep prep easy.
- Potato Flakes – The starch in the potato flakes helps the breading stick to the chicken. You can substitute cornstarch if you don’t have potato flakes.
- Onion and Garlic Powder – For flavor. You can add in more spices and seasonings, if you wish.
- Salt and Pepper – I use Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Breading
- Eggs – I developed this recipe using large eggs, so I recommend using large eggs when making it.
- Breadcrumbs – I love using Panko breadcrumbs for breading because they are slightly larger than other bread crumbs. You can use regular or whole wheat Panko.
- Paprika – A little ground paprika adds a hint of color and smoky flavor.
- Salt – To enhance the flavors.
- Vegetable Oil – This is used to fry the nuggets.
Can I Use Ground Chicken?
Yes, you can use ground chicken to make chicken nuggets. Pick up a package of ground chicken or make it yourself: Place cubes of chicken breasts (use 1 ½ pounds of chicken) in a food processor and pulse until it’s broken down and ground up. Then, instead of adding the chicken and seasonings to a food processor, mix the seasonings and ground chicken in a bowl before continuing with the recipe.
How To Make Chicken Nuggets
A few easy steps go into making these nuggets, and I’ve outlined them in photos for you below.
- Prepare the chicken. Cut the chicken into small pieces and place it in a food processor with the seasonings.
- Process the chicken. Pulse the mixture until smooth.
- Form the nuggets. Use your hands to form uniform nuggets.
- Prep the stations. Beat the eggs. In another dish mix the Panko breadcrumbs with paprika and salt.
- Bread the chicken. Dip each nugget into the eggs, then coat them in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Repeat. For an extra crisp crust, repeat the process.
- Heat the oil. In a large skillet heat the oil until it reaches about 350°F.
- Cook the nuggets. Add the chicken nuggets to the oil in batches and cook them for about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Drain. Place the nuggets on a plate to drain before serving.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use an air fryer. If you don’t want to fry them, use an air fryer to cook this homemade chicken nuggets recipe. Spray the top and bottom of the nuggets with avocado or canola oil, then air fry them at 400°F for 8 minutes. Flip them halfway through the cooking time.
- Bake not fry. Or, bake the nuggets. Place the assembled chicken nuggets on a baking sheet, brush them lightly with oil, then cook them in a 375°F oven for eight minutes or until crispy.
- Try turkey. You can use this method to make turkey nuggets! Grab a package of ground turkey and substitute it for the chicken in the recipe.
- Make ahead: Chicken nuggets can be made in advance and stored in the freezer so you can have fresh, homemade chicken nuggets whenever you wish. My method is to freeze uncooked nuggets, and then cook them from frozen. Here’s how: Place the assembled nuggets on a baking sheet and freeze them for 1 hour. Transfer the nuggets to a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, place the nuggets on a baking sheet and bake them at 400°F for about 10 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Homemade chicken nuggets can make a snack, lunch, or even dinner rounded out with fries or a side salad. And don’t forget the dipping sauce! Here are some great serving suggestions:
- With sauces. Serve the chicken nuggets hot with your favorite dipping sauces. They pair wonderfully with yum yum sauce, ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing.
- Salad. Make an easy meal of homemade chicken nuggets and a side salad. Some of my favorite fresh salads include a refreshing and flavorful Asian Cabbage Slaw, a crunchy Mexican Street Corn Salad, or a juicy Avocado Tomato Salad.
- Fries. Go all in on a comfort food dinner and make a batch of homemade fries to go alongside homemade chicken nuggets! I love savory Garlic Fries or hearty Chili Cheese Fries with nuggets.
- Other appetizers. Make a meal out of appetizers, or serve an appetizer buffet featuring homemade chicken nuggets. Some of our favorites are Mozzarella Sticks, Pizza Fries, Buffalo Wings, and Chicken Egg Rolls.
How To Store Homemade Chicken Nuggets
- Fridge – Place cooled leftover chicken nuggets in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer – Transfer the nuggets to a freezer-safe bag or container, then store them in the freezer for up to one month. You can reheat the nuggets from frozen; just note that it may take a little longer for them to warm through.
- To Reheat – Place them on a baking sheet and heat them in a 350°F oven until warmed through and crisp.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
- Chicken Wonton Tacos
- Chicken Mac and Cheese
- Chicken Souvlaki
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders
Chicken Nuggets Recipe
This easy homemade Chicken Nuggets recipe features perfectly cooked nuggets with a crispy, golden-brown crust and a juicy, tender interior.
Ingredients
For the nuggets:
- 1½ pound boneless and skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks
- 3 tablespoons potato flakes
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the breading:
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1½ cups Panko breadcrumbs, plain or whole wheat
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken Mixture:
- Cut the chicken breast into small pieces. Place the chicken pieces in a food processor along with the potato flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Pulse the mixture until it forms a smooth, compact mass. This will be the base fo nuggets.
Shape the Nuggets:
- Using your hands, take small portions (about 1 ½ -2 tablespoons) of the chicken mixture and form them into nugget shapes. Make sure they are uniform in size for even cooking.
Set Up the Breading Station:
- In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs.
- In a separate shallow dish, mix the Panko breadcrumbs, paprika, and kosher salt.
Bread the Nuggets:
- Dip each shaped nugget into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Coat the nugget in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.
- For an extra crispy crust, repeat the process: dip the nugget back into the eggs and then coat it again with the breadcrumb mixture.
Heat the Oil:
- In a large skillet or frying pan, heat enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom by about ½ inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F. You can test the oil by dropping a small piece of breading into it; if it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready.
- Carefully add the breaded chicken nuggets to the hot oil in batches. Fry for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until the nuggets are golden brown and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked nuggets to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
Serve:
- Serve the chicken nuggets hot with your favorite dipping sauces. They pair wonderfully with ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing. Bon appétit!
Equipment
Nutrition
Calories: 239kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 127mg | Sodium: 1046mg | Potassium: 566mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 197IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
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