We’ve always loved chicken nuggets, and this is fried version is a family favorite. Delicious, golden and crispy – these nuggets are even better than the restaurants!
Can you beat homemade nuggets? I think not! This version is amazing (along with our baked nuggets) that we like to serve with homemade ranch or fry sauce.
Homemade Nuggets are the Best Nuggets
With six kids, you better believe we’ve eaten a few thousand nuggets in our lifetime. Most have been from fast food joints and restaurants and because they love them so much, I decided to try a homemade version.
After coming up with a recipe and realizing how simple it was, we have been making these for dinner at least once or twice a month and the kids have declared time and time again that they are better than anything they’ve had outside the house.
I was happy they liked the homemade chicken nuggets, not only because it’s a simple dinner idea but because it’s saved us a few trips (and money) to the local fast food locations.
Cooking alternatives
I think we can all agree that fried food is amazing (including these nuggets). But, look below for a baked version and air fryer version that is just as good and has fewer calories.
- Baked Nuggets: Once breaded, place on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet. Spray with olive oil spray and bake at 400 for 10 minutes. Flip, spray and cook an additional 8 minutes. Broil for a few additional minutes to brown nuggets.
- Air Fryer: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Spray the basket with booking spray. Arrange the nuggets in a single layer in the basket making sure the sides are not touching. Spray the top of the nuggets with olive oil. Cook for about 7 minutes. Repeat for remaining nuggets.
How to Make Chicken Nuggets
PREP CHICKEN. Cut chicken into bite sized pieces about 1-1.5 inches.
PREP BOWLS. Place the flour into a bowl. Add the eggs and water into a second bowl and beat together. In a third bowl combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic salt and Italian seasoning. Mix together.
HEAT OIIL. Add about 2 inches of oil to a frying pan and heat over medium heat.
COAT. While the oil is heating up, coat the chicken. Coat each nugget with flour, then dip into the egg mixture. Finally, coat with the bread crumb mixture.
FRY. When the oil is ready place one nugget into the oil to test. It should sizzle immediately. If it darkens too quickly without cooking the inside then the oil is too hot. Adjust the heat accordingly. Fry the nuggets 3-4 minutes on each side. Place on a wire rack, or paper towel, to drain and cool.
Sauces
Are you a dipper too? If so, here are some of our fav homemade dip recipes to enjoy with the nuggets:
- Honey Mustard
- Ketchup
- Fry Sauce
- BBQ sauce
- Ranch Dressing
Storing + Side Ideas
Whether you want to make these ahead of time or store them as leftovers you can choose to keep them in the fridge to use soon, or in the freezer to be baked later.
- Already fried: Place cooled nuggets in an airtight container and store in the fridge for 4-5 days. Reheat under the broiler until warm and crisp.
- Not fried yet in the Fridge: After coating the chicken, place them in a single layer, cover tightly with plastic wrap and store in the fridge for 1-2 days before frying according to recipe.
- Not fried yet in the Freezer: Flash freeze and transfer to a freezer safe container. Freeze for 1-2 months. To bake, place frozen nuggets on a baking sheet with a wire rack. Bake at 400°F for 25-30 minutes. Crisp under broiler.
Serve with: Here are some of our favorite recipes to serve with these nuggets:
For more chicken recipes, check out:
- Crispy Chicken Tenders
- Popcorn Chicken
- Buttermilk Fried Chicken
- Baked Chicken Fingers
- Baked Ranch Chicken
Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 1 c bread crumbs or panko crumbs
- 1/2 c Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 c flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp water
- oil for frying
Instructions
- Cut chicken into bite sized pieces about 1-1.5 inches.
- Place the flour into a bowl. Add the eggs and water into a second bowl and beat together.
- In a third bowl combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic salt and Italian seasoning. Mix together.
- Add about 2 inches of oil to a frying pan and heat over medium heat.
- While the oil is heating up, coat the chicken. Coat each nugget with flour, then dip into the egg mixture. Finally, coat with the bread crumb mixture.
- When the oil is ready place one nugget into the oil to test. It should sizzle immediately. If it darkens too quickly without cooking the inside then the oil is too hot. Adjust the heat accordingly.
- Fry the nuggets 3-4 minutes on each side. Place on a wire rack, or paper towel, to drain and cool.
My kids are going to love this recipe! I can’t wait to give this a try! So excited!
We make these so much!! My kids could eat nuggets every day! This recipe is so easy!
My kids love your recipe!! Crispy & delicious!
My family loved these homemade nuggets! All of us were impressed by how tasty they were, everyone from small to tall was happy!
Chicken nuggets….the dream meal for any kid. Homemade are the best!
Easy and flavorful. My kids love these homemade chicken nuggets.