Description
Crispy golden homemade chicken nuggets bring restaurant-style comfort right to your kitchen table. Crunchy exterior and juicy interior make these nuggets an irresistible meal you’ll want to devour again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
Coating Ingredients:
- 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) panko breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) milk
Seasonings:
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- Oil for frying (if using frying method)
Instructions
- Transform plump chicken into bite-sized morsels by slicing into uniform 1-inch chunks, ensuring consistent cooking and texture.
- Establish a three-tier coating strategy: First station with seasoned flour mixture incorporating salt and paprika for initial dry layer; second station featuring whisked eggs and milk to help breading adhere; third station combining crispy panko breadcrumbs enhanced with garlic powder and black pepper for ultimate crunch.
- Execute precise coating technique: Thoroughly dredge chicken pieces through flour, meticulously shaking off excess; submerge completely in egg mixture ensuring comprehensive coverage; gently roll in seasoned breadcrumbs, applying gentle pressure to create a robust, even exterior.
- Select preferred cooking method: For traditional frying, submerge nuggets in oil heated to 350°F, cooking until exterior achieves golden-brown perfection and interior reaches safe temperature; alternatively, opt for oven-baking by arranging on greased sheet, lightly misting with oil, and roasting at 400°F, rotating midway; for health-conscious preparation, utilize air fryer at 375°F, arranging in single layer and intermittently shaking to guarantee uniform crispiness.
- Upon completion, allow nuggets brief resting period on absorbent surfaces to eliminate excess oil, ensuring maximum crispness and optimal serving temperature.
Notes
- Ensure chicken pieces are uniform in size for even cooking and consistent texture.
- Pat chicken dry before breading to help coating stick better and achieve crispier results.
- Add extra spices like cayenne or smoked paprika to breadcrumb mixture for bolder flavor profiles.
- Create gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with almond or rice flour and using gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (excluding 30 minutes for soaking)
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg