Crispy Chicken Nuggets with step-by-step photos and a video recipe. Chicken Nuggets are easy chicken appetizers that everyone loves. You can deep fry, bake it, or make it in an air-fryer. These nuggets are super crispy outside, tender and juicy inside, and taste awesome. Easy to customize, made at home within 30 minutes.
These homemade chicken nuggets are loved equally by kids and adults in our family. They are super quick to make and taste absolutely delicious.
Nuggets are one of those comfort foods that never get old. More chicken appetizer recipes that you may like are Popcorn Chicken and Crispy Potato Nuggets.
About this recipe
In this recipe post, I am sharing how to make restaurant-style crispy chicken nuggets at home. They taste similar to what we get in restaurants.
Traditionally, chicken nuggets are deep-fried. Alternatively, you can make them in an air-fryer or bake them in an oven. I have shared all the methods in this recipe post.
You can easily make it at home with simple ingredients. Serve it as a starter or appetizer, or snack with tomato ketchup or with your favorite dip.
You may also like these other popular chicken recipes from this website:
- Chicken Mayo Sandwich
- Shredded Chicken Sandwich
- Chicken Pakora
- Garlic Butter Chicken Bites
- Dry Chilli Chicken
Why You Need This Recipe
- Easy step-by-step instructions with a recipe video.
- Quick & easy to make - You can make it instantly within 30 minutes.
- Easy to customize - see the ingredient list below for alternative ingredients. You can add or skip the ingredients as per your taste.
- Make-ahead recipe - You can make it ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container or zip lock bags in the freezer. Whenever needed, reheat and serve.
- 3 Ways to make it- You can deep fry, make it in an air fryer or bake it in an oven. All three methods are shown in the recipe post. Tried and tested recipe.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chicken - I have used boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size cubes to make the nuggets.
- Flavoring - Salt, and ground black pepper.
- Italian seasoning - Italian seasoning is used to flavor the nuggets. You can substitute it with any other seasoning like Taco Seasoning or simply substitute it with onion powder and garlic powder.
- Corn flour/Cornstarch - Alternatively, you can also use all-purpose flour (Maida) in the same quantity.
- Sriracha - This is optional. Alternatively, you can use any chili-garlic sauce or hot sauce.
- Paprika -You can use normal red chili powder or red pepper flakes. Skip if you prefer less spicy.
- Egg - You can substitute egg with buttermilk.
- Bread crumbs - I have used homemade bread crumbs. You can make it quickly at home within 15 minutes. Or use Panko Breadcrumbs.
- Buttermilk - It is used to brine the chicken. It is an important step, do not skip it. If you do not have buttermilk substitute with (1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon Lemon juice/Vinegar)
For the detailed list of ingredients & their measurements, please check out the recipe card below.
Step by step instructions with photos
Preparations
- To brine the chicken, soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk and salt mixture in a mixing bowl. Place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight. Remove it with a slotted spoon. Transfer the chicken to a mixing bowl.
- Add salt, cornstarch, sriracha, Italian seasoning, ground black pepper, and paprika to the chicken. Combine and set it aside.
- Whisk 1 egg in a separate bowl. Set it aside.
- Pour some breadcrumbs into a plate. You can season it with little salt and pepper (optional). Set it aside.
Making crispy chicken nuggets
- First, take out the chicken piece (one at a time) and dip it in the egg mixture.
- Next, coat it with breadcrumbs. Gently press the chicken pieces in bread crumbs while coating them. Place it on a plate. Repeat the same process with other chicken pieces.
- To Deep Fry - Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Once the oil is medium hot, add chicken pieces in batches and deep fry the nuggets until crisp and golden. Remove it to a plate lined with a paper towel to drain off the excess oil.
- To Bake - Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Place the chicken on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Make sure there is some space between them. Spray oil over it. Bake it at 200 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes, turn and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until it is cooked.
- Air-Fryer - Spray oil over the air-fryer basket. Place the chicken nuggets and cook them in an air-fryer at 200 degree Celsius for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through until cooked.
Tips to make Homemade Chicken Nuggets
- Brine the chicken to make it tender and juicy. This seems to be an additional step but it prevents the chicken from getting dry when you cook it.
- Cut the chicken breast into uniform pieces for uniform cooking.
- You can substitute Italian seasoning with any other herbs or seasoning of your choice. Or simply use onion powder and garlic powder to substitute.
- The oil to deep fry the chicken should be medium hot. If it is too hot then the breading will burn quickly and the chicken will remain uncooked.
- It is better to check the oil by adding a few breadcrumbs to it. If the breadcrumbs come up, without getting burnt quickly, the oil is ready to fry.
FAQs
Use gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe. Other ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free.
Place the chicken pieces on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake it at 200 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes, turn and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until it is cooked.
Brining helps to tenderize the chicken. It makes the chicken soft, moist, and flavorful. Chicken breast sometimes becomes dry when overcooked. But if you have taken the extra step of brining the chicken, it makes the chicken tender, juicy and flavorful.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve it with tomato ketchup, BBQ sauce, hot sauce, or any of your favorite dips.
- Or serve it with Creamy Macaroni Salad.
Storage Suggestions
- Transfer the leftovers into an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator. Stays good for 2 days. Make sure to store the leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Reheat and serve.
- For longer shelf-life, you can freeze them. Stays good for 2 months. Reheat and serve.
Variations that you can try
- You can add seasoned breadcrumbs to these homemade chicken nuggets.
- Substitute Italian seasoning with any other seasoning like Taco or Cajun.
- Sprinkle some finely grated parmesan cheese on top & serve.
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Recipe Card
Crispy Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless skinless) cut into small bite-size pieces.
- 4 tablespoon cornflour
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha or use any chili-garlic sauce
- 1.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika or red chili powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 Egg
- ½ cup Bread crumbs
Instructions
Preparations
- To brine the chicken, soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk and salt mixture in a mixing bowl. Place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight. Remove it with a slotted spoon. Transfer the chicken to a mixing bowl.
- Add salt, cornstarch, sriracha, Italian seasoning, ground black pepper and paprika to the chicken. Combine and set it aside.
- Whisk 1 egg in a separate bowl. Set it aside.
- Pour some breadcrumbs into a plate. You can season it with little salt and pepper (optional). Set it aside.
Making crispy chicken nuggets
- First, take out the chicken piece with a fork and dip it in egg mixture.
- Next, coat it with breadcrumbs. Gently press the chicken pieces in bread crumbs while coating it. Place it on a plate. Repeat the same process with other chicken pieces.
- To Deep Fry - Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chicken pieces in batches and deep fry the nuggets until crisp and golden. Remove it to a plate lined with paper towel to drain off the excess oil.
- To Bake - Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Place the chicken on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Make sure there is some space between them. Spray oil over it. Bake it at 200 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes, turn and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until it is cooked.
- Air-Fryer - Spray oil over the air-fryer basket. Place the chicken nuggets and cook in air-fryer at 180 degree Celsius for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through until cooked.
Video
Notes
- Brine the chicken to make it tender and juicy. This seems to be an additional step but it prevents the chicken from getting dry when you cook it.
- Cut the chicken breast into uniform pieces for uniform cooking.
- You can substitute Italian seasoning with any other herbs or seasoning of your choice. Or simply use onion powder and garlic powder to substitute.
- The oil to deep fry the chicken should be medium hot. If it is too hot then the breading will burn quickly and the chicken will remain uncooked.
- It is better to check the oil by adding a few breadcrumbs to it. If the breadcrumbs come up, without getting burnt quickly, the oil is ready to fry.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Raj
Tasty recipe
Sammy
Super