Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these homemade chicken nuggets are a wholesome family favorite that kids will love.
Ingredients
- •1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (700g), cut into bite-sized pieces
- •1 cup all-purpose flour (120g)
- •2 large eggs, beaten
- •2 cups panko breadcrumbs (120g)
- •1 teaspoon garlic powder
- •1 teaspoon onion powder
- •1 teaspoon salt
- •1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- •1/2 cup vegetable oil or canola oil for frying, or cooking spray for baking
Instructions
- 1
Pat the chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks well.
- 2
Set up a standard breading station: place the flour in a shallow bowl, the beaten eggs in a second bowl, and the panko breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a third bowl.
- 3
Dredge each piece of chicken first in the flour, shaking off any excess.
- 4
Dip the floured chicken into the beaten eggs, letting any excess drip off.
- 5
Coat the chicken thoroughly in the panko breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the crumbs adhere.
- 6
To pan-fry, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then cook the nuggets in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- 7
Alternatively, to bake, place the breaded nuggets on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spray lightly with cooking spray, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15 to 18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- 8
Transfer the cooked nuggets to a paper towel-lined plate to drain before serving.
💡 Chef tips
- For extra-crispy baked nuggets, toast the panko breadcrumbs in a dry skillet for 2 minutes before using them to coat the chicken.
- You can freeze the uncooked, breaded nuggets on a baking sheet for an hour, then transfer them to a freezer bag for quick weeknight meals.
- Serve with your family's favorite dipping sauces such as honey mustard, ketchup, or homemade barbecue sauce.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished nuggets should have a golden, ultra-crispy crust with a juicy, tender chicken interior that smells savory and delicious.