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These homemade chicken nuggets recipe is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and a million miles away from anything frozen.
Homemade Are the Best
Can you beat homemade chicken nuggets? We think not! With six kids, you better believe we’ve eaten a few thousand nuggets in our lifetime.
After realizing how simple this chicken recipe is, we have been making these for dinner at least once or twice a month.
What’s not to love?
- Quick and easy. This quick dinner idea is on the table in only 30 minutes and is one of the best family dinner ideas!
- Save time and money. Save a trip to a fast-food restaurant with this easy dinner idea that uses simple and affordable ingredients!
- Healthier. These nuggets are a healthier option where you control the ingredients. We’ve also included air fryer directions.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
COOK TIME: 15 minutes
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts – For easy cutting, partially freeze the chicken breast, this stabilizes the chicken allowing you to easily cut even pieces. Once cut allow the pieces to thaw before cooking.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons water – or milk
- 1 cup regular or panko breadcrumbs – regular breadcrumbs coat really well while the panko crumbs offer a crispier finish. Both are delicious options.
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese – grated parmesan cheese works the best
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- teaspoon garlic salt – Try paprika or cayenne pepper, onion powder, black pepper, or lemon pepper.
- oil, for frying – Use a high smoking point oil like vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil. I have also been able to find olive oil suitable for frying.
How to Make Homemade Chicken Nuggets
- PREP. Cut 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces (about 1–1½ inches).
- Place 1 cup flour in a medium bowl.
- Combine 2 eggs and 2 tablespoons water in a second bowl and beat together.
- In a third bowl, combine 1 cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, and garlic salt and mix.
- Fill a frying pan with about 2 inches of oil and heat over medium heat to 350°F.
- NUGGETS. While oil is heating up, coat the chicken. Coat each nugget with flour, then dip into the egg mixture. Finally, coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
- FRY. When oil is ready, place one nugget into the oil to test. It should sizzle immediately. If it darkens too quickly without cooking on the inside, then the oil is too hot. Adjust the heat accordingly.
- Fry nuggets in batches for 3–4 minutes on each side, then place on a wire rack or paper towel–lined plate to drain before serving.
For homemade dipping sauces, try: Honey Mustard Sauce, Fry Sauce Recipe, Buffalo Sauce Recipe, Sweet and Sour Sauce, BBQ sauce, Homemade Ranch Dressing, or Chick Fil A Sauce.
Cooking alternatives
- Baked. Try our Baked Chicken Nuggets recipe.
- Air fry. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the chicken nuggets in a single layer in the basket making sure the sides are not touching. For a crispy texture, spray the top of the nuggets with olive oil. Cook for about 7 minutes. Repeat for remaining nuggets.
Complete the Meal
- Side dishes: Baked French Fries, Boiling Corn on the Cob, Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Desserts: Rice Krispie Treat Recipe, Strawberry Shortcake Kabobs, Dirt Cake Parfaits
- More dinner ideas for kids: Pigs in a Blanket, Pizza Casserole, Bean Chimichangas
More collections: Dinner Ideas For Kids, Easy Recipes For Kids, Easy Dinner Ideas, Family Dinner Ideas, Chicken Dinner Ideas
Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Crispy, fried homemade chicken nuggets are a family favorite! They are quick, easy, and even better than the restaurants.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 cup regular or panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- teaspoon garlic salt
- oil, for frying
Instructions
- Cut 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces (about 1–1½ inches).
- Place flour in a medium bowl.
- Combine eggs and water in a second bowl and beat together.
- In a third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt and mix.
- Fill a frying pan with about 2 inches of oil and heat over medium heat to 350°F.
- While oil is heating up, coat the chicken. Coat each nugget with flour, then dip into the egg mixture. Finally, coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
- When oil is ready, place one nugget into the oil to test. It should sizzle immediately. If it darkens too quickly without cooking on the inside, then the oil is too hot. Adjust the heat accordingly.
- Fry nuggets in batches for 3–4 minutes on each side, then place on a wire rack or paper towel–lined plate to drain before serving.
Video
Notes
Store fried nuggets. Place cooled nuggets in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 4-5 days. Reheat under the broiler until warm and crisp.
Store unfried nuggets. After coating the chicken, place them in a single layer, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and store in the fridge for 1-2 days before frying according to the recipe.
FREEZE. Flash freeze unfried nuggets and transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for 1-2 months. Allow them to partially thaw before frying.
To bake straight out of the freezer place frozen nuggets on a baking sheet with a wire rack. Bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes. Crisp under the broiler.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g, Calories: 386kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 37g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 163mg, Sodium: 474mg, Potassium: 539mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 272IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 218mg, Iron: 4mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Recipe FAQ
How do I keep the breading from falling off the nuggets?
- The chicken pieces need a moisture barrier, in this case, flour between the chicken and the bread crumbs. When the chicken is cooked, steam is released. Without the flour to absorb the extra moisture, the bread coating would fall off.
Can I prep the chicken nuggets ahead of time?
- After coating the chicken, place them in a single layer, and cover them tightly with plastic wrap. Store in the fridge for a few hours before frying according to the recipe.
How to store fried chicken nuggets?
- Place cooled chicken nugget recipe in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 4-5 days. Reheat under the broiler until warm and crisp.
How to Freeze?
- Flash freeze unfried nuggets and transfer them to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for 1-2 months. Allow them to partially thaw before frying.
- To bake straight out of the freezer place frozen nuggets on a baking sheet with a wire rack. Bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes. Crisp under the broiler.
Could not believe how easy and delicious these were. My kids couldn’t get enough!
Enjoyed these for dinner last night and they were a savory success! Turned out easy and delicious, and way better than a store bought brand! Definitely, a new favorite recipe!
These were amazing and got the seal of approval from my kids, they said they liked them even more than the store-bought ones.