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Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe: Better Than Fast Food!
Who doesn’t love chicken nuggets? Whether you're making lunch for your kids or craving a crispy, juicy snack, homemade chicken nuggets are a quick and easy crowd-pleaser. Unlike the frozen or fast-food versions, these nuggets are made with real chicken and simple ingredients, and they taste absolutely amazing.
In this article, you'll get a step-by-step guide to making the perfect chicken nuggets at home, plus tips for air frying, baking, and even freezing them for later. Ready to ditch the drive-thru? Let’s go!
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Ingredients for Homemade Chicken Nuggets
This recipe makes about 20 nuggets and serves 4 people.
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for flavor)
For the Coating:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1½ cups breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- ½ teaspoon salt (for breadcrumb mix)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Frying:
Vegetable oil or canola oil for deep or shallow frying
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How to Make Chicken Nuggets – Step-by-Step
Prep the Chicken
Cut chicken breasts into nugget-sized chunks (about 1½ inches).
Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well.
2. Set Up Breading Station
Prepare 3 bowls:
Flour
Beaten eggs
Breadcrumbs with salt and pepper
3. Coat the Chicken
Dredge each chicken piece in flour, then dip into the egg, and finally coat with breadcrumbs.
Press breadcrumbs gently so they stick well.
4. Fry the Nuggets
Heat oil in a pan (about 1 inch deep) over medium heat.
Fry nuggets in batches for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Place on paper towels to remove excess oil.
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Best Dipping Sauces for Chicken Nuggets
Ketchup
Honey Mustard
BBQ Sauce
Garlic Aioli
Buffalo Sauce
Sweet and Sour Sauce
These sauces make your nuggets even more irresistible—try mixing and matching!
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Perfect for Kids (and Adults Too!)
Homemade nuggets are:
Kid-friendly
Great for lunchboxes
Perfect for game day or snacks
And way healthier than store-bought options!
They’re also easy to customize—add grated cheese to the breadcrumb mix, use ground chicken for a smoother texture, or even shape them into fun forms!
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Conclusion
With this easy and tasty homemade chicken nugget recipe, you’ll never need to rely on fast food or frozen options again. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and customizable to your liking, these nuggets are guaranteed to be a family favorite.
Whether you fry, bake, or air fry, you’ll love how simple and satisfying these nuggets are to make. Don’t forget to whip up your favorite dipping sauces and enjoy every crunchy, savory bite!
Now go make some nuggets and wow your crowd!
