These chicken nuggets are so crunchy and flavorful, coated in a perfectly seasoned Panko mixture and deep fried to a crispy, golden perfection. Each bite is tender, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It’s a family favorite chicken nugget recipe the whole family devours every time they are made.
Chicken nuggets are a classic dish that the entire family loves. I’m not sure why, but it seems like we’re all born with a love of chicken nuggets. I know there was a period in my kids’ lives when they would only eat nuggets, and rather than feed them overly processes frozen garbage, I decided to put my cooking skills to good use and make my own homemade chicken nuggets. They were so good I never stopped making them! This recipe has been a staple in my rotation for decades, and I don’t see that ever changing. With that crispy coating and tender, juicy chicken, they’re just too good to ever stop making!
Chicken Nuggets
These nuggets start with chicken breasts that I cut into bite-sized pieces. I coat them in an egg mixture, then a seasoned panko breading mixture, and deep fry them until they’re golden and crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. The entire recipe only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish, and when I’m done, I have delicious homemade chicken nuggets that have everyone coming back for more. They’re the perfect lunch, dinner, snack, or addition to any potluck. There’s never a wrong time for them!
Why You’ll Love These Chicken Nuggets
- Each chicken nugget is coated in a perfectly seasoned Panko mixture and deep-fried to crispy, golden perfection.
- The crunchy coating on the outside, along with the tender, juicy chicken on the inside, creates a sensory experience that is pure satisfaction.
- They are great with a variety of dipping sauces from tangy honey mustard to creamy ranch, spicy sriracha to cool tzatziki.
Chicken Nuggets Ingredients
You’ll only need a handful of ingredients to make this recipe, and most if not all of them are probably in your kitchen right now. anything you don’t have can be found at any grocery store.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Slap Ya Mama seasoning
- Paprika
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Large eggs
- Heavy cream
- Vegetable oil, for frying
How to Make Chicken Nuggets
Making these nuggets couldn’t be easier. The coating is simple, the process is straightforward, and it only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish. That’s it!
Step 1: Make the Dredging Station
Combine the panko breadcrumbs and seasonings in a shallow dish. Then, whisk the eggs and heavy cream in another shallow dish.
Step 2: Dredge the Chicken
Dredge the chicken pieces in the egg mixture and then in the panko mixture.
Step 3: Fry
Heat the oil in a large frying pot over medium-high heat. Then, fry the chicken nuggets in batches for 4 to 6 minutes or until golden brown and completely cooked through. Place the cooked nuggets on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any oil. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Be sure to cut your chicken into bite-size so they’re easy to eat and cook evenly while frying.
- Pat the chicken dry before dredging to ensure the best adhesion of the coating.
- Don’t overcrowd the pot. Frying too many nuggets at once will lower the temperature, making nuggets that are soggy on the outside and undercooked on the inside.
- Give your nuggets a gentle tap after each dredge to ensure the perfect coating.
- Use an oil with a high smoke point like peanut, canola, or vegetable oil to avoid a burned flavor.
Variations
- For a spicy kick, add cayenne to the breadcrumbs.
- For something a little different, try making these with chicken thighs.
- You can use your favorite seasonings in the breadcrumb mixture.
What to Serve with Chicken Nuggets
These delicious chicken nuggets are the classic fried treat, and they go perfectly with all your favorite sides like:
- French fries
- Sweet potato fries
- Potato wedges
- Tater tots
- Baked potatoes
- Corn on the cob
- Whole kernel corn
- Potato salad
- Coleslaw
- Pasta salad
You can also dip these nuggets in your favorite dipping sauces.
Recipe FAQ
Using a sharp knife, cut the chicken breasts into strips. Then, cut the strips into your desired nugget size.
In the case of chicken nuggets, they’re normally cooked through by the time the coating is golden and crispy. However, for traditional fried chicken, or even nuggets for extra safety, the best way to know if your chicken is fried enough is to use a meat thermometer. If it registers 168 degrees, and the coating is golden and crispy, the chicken is fried enough.
You prep chicken nuggets in advance by cutting up the chicken and mixing the breadcrumb mixture. You can even fully bread the nuggets and freeze them for later cooking. However, these chicken nuggets are best when served fresh, so don’t cook them in advance.
The length of time it takes chicken to fully cook while being fried depends on the thickness of the chicken pieces. Chicken legs, thighs, breasts, wings, and nuggets all take different times to fully cook. The best way to determine if your chicken is done is to use a meat thermometer. If it registers 168 degrees, the chicken is cooked through.
Chicken nuggets freeze well and will last for up to 3 months when stored properly.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Chicken Nuggets
Refrigerate your nuggets in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the nuggets in a vacuum seal freezer bag or heavy-duty freezer bag with as much air removed as possible.
To reheat chicken nuggets, Bake them at 400 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes until heated through.
Try This Delicious Chicken Nuggets Recipe Today
These chicken nuggets are juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and so easy to make. They’re also a classic family favorite. You can’t beat that combo! With so much flavor packed into such an easy recipe, you owe it to yourself to give this one a try. Once you do, you’ll find yourself making them again and again. They’re that good!
More Delicious Chicken Recipes You’ll Enjoy
These Chicken Salad Croissant Sandwiches are absolutely delicious and are made with tender chicken, sliced grapes, water chestnuts, red onion, mayo, and more piled high on flaky, buttery croissants. They are light, crunchy, and so flavorful.
Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs, crushed
- 2 teaspoons Slap Ya Mama
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs with all of the seasonings, mix well.
- In another shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream.
- Dredge each piece of chicken in the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat oil in a large frying pot over medium-high heat.
- Fry chicken nuggets, in batches, for 4-6 minutes or until golden brown and completely cooked through.
- Remove and place on a plate lined with paper towels.
- Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
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Love Love these chicken nuggets so easy to make and so much tastier than M&M. Thanks Love your Recipes.
Thank you so much for sharing, Mary! Yes, they sure are. I’m so glad you enjoyed these chicken nuggets. Also, thank you for the 5-star rating. :)