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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 chicken nuggets on white plate with bbq sauce.

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.
Cut up chicken pieces on cutting board.

Ingredients

  • 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.
  • ยฝ 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

  1. PREP. Cut 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces (about 1โ€“1ยฝ 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, ยฝ 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 350ยฐF.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Fry nuggets in batches for 3โ€“4 minutes on each side, then place on a wire rack or paper towelโ€“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 400ยฐF. 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. 
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5 from 51 votes

Homemade Chicken Nuggets

By: Lil’ Luna
Crispy, fried homemade chicken nuggets are a family favorite! They are quick, easy, and even better than the restaurants.
Servings: 4
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 cup regular or panko breadcrumbs
  • ยฝ cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • teaspoon garlic salt
  • oil, for frying

Instructions 

  • Cut 2ย boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces (about 1โ€“1ยฝย 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 350ยฐF.
  • 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 3โ€“4 minutes on each side, then place on a wire rack or paper towelโ€“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 400ยฐF for 25-30 minutes. Crisp under the broiler.ย 

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.

Recipe FAQ

  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • 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.
  • 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 400ยฐF for 25-30 minutes. Crisp under the broiler.

For More Chicken Recipes:

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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5 from 51 votes (32 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




30 Comments

  1. M.B.M. says:

    5 stars
    My husband made this recipe tonight and it was amazing! All 3 of our kids (under 10) loved them as well. Thank you!

  2. Cynthia Aguilar says:

    How do you make chicken nuggets?

  3. Jack Mehoff says:

    This tasted like poop. It killed my son, Troy. Poor troy. He said he had something going on with his stomach, and then he was gone. You killed my son. Expecting to see you in court, Lil’Luna. What kind of name is Lil’Luna anyways? Who do you think you are? Some kind of gangsta?

  4. Staci says:

    5 stars
    I click on this website for chicken nugget recipes. I made this for my kids & omg they loved it ๐Ÿฅฐ. So easy to make & it made my kitchen smile yummy ๐Ÿ˜‹.
    Thank you so much.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You’re welcome!! So glad your kids enjoyed the nuggets.

  5. Erlene Johnson says:

    I only have boneless skinless thighs. Can I use these?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You bet! You could definitely give it a try!

    2. Helen Ortega says:

      Since my youngest son loves nuggets, i’d decided to just make it at home. Will surely follow your recipe and thank you for sharing this. So glad i’d found this amazing site. More power and God bless dear.๐Ÿ’–

      1. Lil'Luna Team says:

        You’re welcome!! So glad to have you here on the site using the recipes!

  6. Marcy says:

    5 stars
    My first time making chicken nuggets from scratch (or fried chicken for that matter). These came out perfectly. I didn’t have garlic salt or Italian seasoning. I substituted with 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp dried parsley, 3/4 tsp salt. Since we are dairy free I added 3/4 tsp of nutritional yeast instead of parmesan cheese. Delicious!!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Yay!! Happy you tried them & liked them! Thank you!

  7. Jake Mayfield says:

    5 stars
    These are really tasty! I used a dutch oven and added a little extra oil so the nugs would be completely submerged. It cut the time in half and they came out crispy and perfectly cooked throughout. Thanks for the recipe!

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You’re welcome!! Thanks for sharing what you did too.

  8. Raymond Wilcox says:

    Your ‘jump to video’ doesn’t function properly, because of so many pop-ups, or cookies. A recommendation: have people jump to video first, then the recipe below, more people will be moved to try your recipes having seen how it’s done. Raymond Wilcox.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks for the feedback! Hope you enjoyed the recipe!

  9. Tammy w says:

    5 stars
    My daughters diet consists of chicken nuggets and Mac & cheese. She loves these chicken nuggets! Thanks for easy recipes that please my picky daughter!!

  10. Lynn says:

    Need to try these for my grand babies!