How to Make Juicy, Crispy Chicken Nuggets at Home

Chicken nuggets are a beloved finger food that both kids and adults crave. The crispy coating surrounding the juicy, tender chicken is hard to resist. While you can easily grab a bag of frozen chicken nuggets or go through the drive-thru for a quick fix, homemade chicken nuggets beat store-bought versions in terms of flavor and texture. Plus, when you make them at home, you can control the ingredients.

With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have hot, freshly made chicken nuggets cooking on your stovetop or baking in your oven in no time. Read on to learn the ins and outs of crafting chicken nuggets from scratch right in your own kitchen.

Benefits of Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Opting to make DIY chicken nuggets offers several advantages:

• Ingredients you can see and pronounce: When you make chicken nuggets from scratch, you know exactly what’s going into them. Store-bought frozen chicken nuggets often contain preservatives, artificial flavors and other additives.

• Flavor customization Season homemade chicken nuggets with your favorite herbs, spices and flavor combinations Add a pinch of cayenne for heat, oregano and basil for an Italian flair or a blend of paprika, garlic and onion powders for well-rounded flavor

• Adjustable texture Get the precise breading texture you desire by tweaking the ratio of flour breadcrumbs, etc. Make them extra crispy or slightly softer based on personal preference.

• Cost savings: Chicken nuggets made at home are cheaper per serving compared to frozen bags or fast food. Buying chicken in bulk saves money.

• Freshness Nothing beats the taste and texture of freshly fried or baked hot chicken nuggets. Frozen nuggets just can’t compare

How to Make Chicken Nuggets 3 Easy Ways

From oven-baked to deep-fried, you can easily replicate those addictive crispy nuggets at home with these methods:

Oven Baked

Baking chicken nuggets in the oven eliminates the need for frying in copious amounts of oil. Simply coat bite-size pieces of chicken in egg, seasoned flour or breadcrumbs and bake until golden brown and cooked through. Baking gives you crispy nuggets without the mess and safety concerns of frying.

You’ll need: chicken breasts, egg, breadcrumbs or flour, oil, seasonings

Steps:

1. Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces and pat dry.
2. Place flour or breadcrumbs in a shallow dish and season with salt, pepper and spices.
3. Beat an egg in a separate shallow bowl.
4. Dip chicken pieces in egg, then press into the flour or breadcrumbs until evenly coated on all sides.
5. Arrange breaded nuggets on a greased baking sheet. Lightly spray tops with oil.
6. Bake at 425°F for 12-15 minutes until browned and cooked through.

Pan-Fried

For an extra crisp exterior reminiscent of deep-fried chicken nuggets, fry breaded nuggets in a skillet on the stovetop. Pan-frying requires more oil than baking, but still less than deep-frying.

You’ll need: chicken breasts, flour, egg, breadcrumbs, oil for frying

Steps:

1. Cut chicken into 1-inch chunks and pat dry.
2. Place flour, egg (beaten), and breadcrumbs into separate shallow dishes.
3. Dredge chicken pieces in flour, dip in egg, then coat in breadcrumbs.
4. Heat 1⁄4 inch oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Fry chicken pieces for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Deep Fried

For maximum crispness with an authentic fast food flavor and texture, deep fry homemade chicken nuggets. Peanut or vegetable oil is ideal for deep frying. Maintain the oil temperature at 350-375°F.

You’ll need: chicken breasts, flour, egg, breadcrumbs, oil for frying

Steps:

1. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces and pat dry.
2. Place flour, egg (beaten), and breadcrumbs into separate bowls.
3. Dredge chicken in flour, dip in egg, then coat in breadcrumbs.
4. Heat 2-3 inches oil to 350°F in a large pot. Fry in batches 3-4 minutes until golden brown.
5. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

No matter which cooking method you choose, homemade chicken nuggets deliver crispiness and juiciness you won’t find in store-bought varieties.

Tips for Making Perfect Chicken Nuggets

Follow these tips to ensure your homemade nuggets come out tender and crispy every time:

• Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts – They’re easy to cut into uniform pieces that will cook evenly. Dark meat chicken thighs also work well.

• Pat chicken dry before breading – Drying the chicken allows the flour and breading to adhere better for a crisper crust.

• Cut chicken into same size pieces – Uniform 1-inch chunks fry and bake evenly.

• Refrigerate breaded chicken 20 minutes before cooking – Chilling helps “glue” the breading to the chicken so it won’t fall off during cooking.

• Double dredge the chicken – Dipping the chicken in flour, egg, then breadcrumbs seals in juices and gives a crispy coating.

• Don’t overcrowd the pan or pot – Allow space between pieces for even browning. Work in batches to avoid lowering the oil temperature.

• Use a thermometer to monitor oil temp – Maintain oil between 350-375°F for optimal crispness.

• Let excess oil drain off – Draining fried nuggets on a paper towel removes excess grease for a less oily end result.

Serving Ideas and Pairings

Chicken nuggets are extremely versatile. Here are some fun ways to serve homemade nuggets:

• Classic with ketchup, honey mustard or barbecue sauce for dipping

• Slice in half and make chicken nugget sandwiches on buns

• Toss in Buffalo, teriyaki or other sauce for saucy nuggets

• Sprinkle with ranch seasoning or Parmesan cheese

• Pair with waffles and syrup for chicken and waffles

• Serve on top of a salad

• Make nugget pops by skewering with sticks

• Add to nachos, tacos, pizza and more

• Serve alongside classic sides like French fries, tater tots or mac and cheese

With the right ingredients, techniques and cook times, you can create irresistible homemade chicken nuggets that rival any restaurant or frozen variety. Experiment with different seasonings and coatings to invent your own signature nuggets. Making them at home allows you to control exactly what goes into each bite – and save money too. Get ready to enjoy tender, juicy chicken coated in a crispy, crave-worthy crust.

Chicken nuggets typically contain chicken meat (often breast or thigh pieces), a breading or batter made with flour, spices, and sometimes cornstarch, and oil for frying.