Chicken nuggets are a beloved favorite for kids and adults alike. There’s just something irresistible about those crispy, golden nuggets of chicken. But while store-bought frozen nuggets can be convenient, homemade chicken nuggets are so much tastier and better for you. Read on to learn how to make tender homemade chicken nuggets with a deliciously crispy coating.
Ingredients for Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Making homemade chicken nuggets is easy with simple pantry staple ingredients:
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Boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs – This provides the base for the nuggets. Chicken breasts tend to be leaner while thighs have a bit more moisture and fat.
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Flour – This binds the coating and helps give it that crispy texture. You can use all-purpose or a gluten-free flour blend.
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Eggs – Eggs help the coating adhere to the chicken.
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Breadcrumbs – Breadcrumbs create a wonderfully crisp coating when baked Go for panko for extra crunch
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Parmesan cheese (optional) – Grated parmesan adds great flavor to the breading.
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Herbs and spices – Spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper add lots of flavor
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Oil – A small amount of oil helps crisp and brown the nuggets. Use olive oil or avocado oil.
How to Make Chicken Nuggets from Scratch
Making homemade baked chicken nuggets is easy and only takes about 30-40 minutes from start to finish. Here are some step-by-step instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken
Start by cutting 1-1.5 pounds of chicken breasts or thighs into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch chunks. Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels. This helps the coating stick better later on.
2. Set Up Breadcrumb Station
In a shallow bowl, mix together 1 cup of flour and 2 teaspoons each of seasoning like garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In a separate shallow bowl, beat 1-2 eggs. Lastly, pour 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs onto a plate or baking sheet.
3. Bread the Chicken Nuggets
Working with a few pieces at a time, coat the chicken pieces in flour first, dip in egg next, then press into the breadcrumbs until completely coated. Set breaded nuggets onto a baking sheet.
4. Bake the Nuggets
Heat oven to 400°F. Spray nuggets with olive oil or non-stick spray. Bake for 18-22 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Serve Immediately & Enjoy!
Serve the homemade chicken nuggets immediately while they’re still crispy and hot. Pair with dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, BBQ sauce or ketchup.
Tips for Extra Crispy Nuggets
Follow these tips for getting the crispiest coating on your homemade nuggets:
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Really press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to help them adhere.
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Double dip by coating in flour, egg, flour again, egg again, then breadcrumbs. The extra layers = extra crispness.
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Let the breaded chicken sit for 10-15 minutes before baking to help set the coating.
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Use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy texture.
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Toast the breadcrumbs before coating for more crispness. Spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 2-3 minutes to toast.
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Chill breaded chicken in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking. The colder temp helps the coating set up.
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Make sure your oil is hot before adding nuggets if pan frying. Fry at 350-375°F.
Different Ways to Cook Chicken Nuggets
While baking is the most popular way to cook homemade nuggets, here are some other methods:
Pan Frying
Pan fry breaded nuggets in 1/2 inch of oil until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes per side. Use neutral oil with high smoke point. Drain on paper towel.
Air Frying
Air fry breaded nuggets at 390°F, flipping halfway, for 10-12 minutes until crispy. Spray with oil before cooking.
Oven Frying
For oven “fried” nuggets, bake plain breaded nuggets at 450°F in a pan with 1/2 cup oil for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway.
Fun Flavor Ideas for Chicken Nuggets
While plain chicken nuggets are delicious, mixing up the flavors can be fun! Try these ideas:
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Italian – Use Italian breadcrumbs and season with oregano, basil, garlic powder, and parmesan.
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Southwest – Season flour with chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne and smoked paprika.
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Asian – Use panko crumbs and season with Chinese 5 spice powder, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.
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BBQ – Toss cooked nuggets in your favorite bbq sauce or season flour with smoked paprika, garlic, onion, chili powder.
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Buffalo – Toss cooked nuggets in Buffalo wing sauce and serve with blue cheese dressing.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to homemade chicken nuggets! Use your favorite herbs, spices and sauce to customize them.
Storing and Freezing Breaded Chicken Nuggets
Chicken nuggets coated in flour and egg will last 1-2 days in the fridge. For longer storage, you can freeze uncooked breaded nuggets:
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Place breaded nuggets in a single layer on a sheet pan and freeze until hard, about 1-2 hours.
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Transfer frozen nuggets to an airtight freezer bag. Press out all air and seal.
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Freeze for up to 3 months. Bake frozen nuggets straight from freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.
Cooked nuggets can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in a 400° oven until hot and crispy. They won’t be quite as crispy as freshly cooked.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Nuggets
Homemade chicken nuggets are delicious on their own but pair well with sides like:
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French fries or sweet potato fries
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Celery sticks and carrot sticks with ranch dressing
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Coleslaw, broccoli salad, or potato salad
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Mac and cheese or baked beans
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Fresh fruit like watermelon, grapes, or apple slices
Dip your nuggets in sauces like honey mustard, BBQ sauce, ranch dressing or sweet and sour sauce. The possibilities are endless!
Homemade chicken nuggets are easier to make than you think. With just a few pantry ingredients and a quick breading station, you can have tender baked chicken nuggets cooking in less than 30 minutes. Follow these tips for an ultra crispy coating and fun flavor ideas. Freeze extra nuggets for quick meals anytime. Making them at home lets you control the ingredients so you can feel good about serving this kid-favorite.
Food Allergy Swaps
- This recipe is naturally egg, dairy, nut, peanut, and sesame-free, making it suitable for most dietary needs. However, always check labels for hidden allergens.
- Gluten-Free: If you’re gluten-free, swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend, and use gluten-free breadcrumbs and panko. If you want to avoid dairy, just make sure your breadcrumbs don’t contain any sneaky dairy ingredients.
3 Top Reasons to Make Your Own Chicken Nuggets
Let’s face it—grabbing a bag of chicken nuggets from the store is convenient. But have you ever thought about making your own at home? Trust me, it’s easier than you think and comes with some pretty sweet perks!
1. You Control the Ingredients When you make your own nuggets, you know exactly what’s going in them. No weird preservatives or mystery ingredients—just real chicken, your favorite seasonings, and a crispy coating you can be proud of.
2. Healthier, Fresher, Better Store-bought nuggets are often loaded with extra salt, fat, and artificial stuff you don’t need. By making them at home, you can use better-for-you ingredients. Whether you prefer gluten-free breadcrumbs or want to cut back on sodium, it’s completely in your hands. Plus, homemade nuggets just taste fresher!
3. Safe for Food Allergies If you or someone in your family has a food allergy, cross-contamination can be a real concern with store-bought options. By making your own chicken nuggets, you eliminate that worry. You know your kitchen, your tools, and your ingredients are all safe and allergen-free, giving you total peace of mind.
Homemade McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets Copycat Recipe – DIY McNuggets!
FAQ
How are chicken nuggets made step by step?
How to make Chicken Nuggets Place the chicken in the food processor and blend until the chicken is minced. Next, add the spices, cornstarch, and water. Process until combined. Dredge each nugget in the flour to cover, then into the egg, and finally, coat it in bread crumbs.
How to make 3 ingredient chicken nuggets?
- Blend the Mixture: In a blender or food processor, combine the canned chicken (rinsed if desired), egg, and mozzarella cheese. …
- Shape the Nuggets: Form the chicken mixture into chicken nugget shapes using your hands. …
- Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
What holds chicken nuggets together?
Additionally, the baking process itself plays a crucial role in holding the nuggets together. By baking them at a high temperature, the egg and breadcrumb coating cooks and sets, creating a firm outer layer while sealing in the moisture of the chicken inside.
What is the main ingredient in chicken nuggets?
| Place of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Chicken meat or plant-based ingredients |
| Ingredients generally used | Breadcrumbs or batter |
| Similar dishes | Fried chicken Chicken fingers |
| Media: Chicken nugget |