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Quick and Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets

A close-up of perfectly golden brown homemade chicken nuggets stacked on a white plate, one nugget broken open showing the white interior.
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Make irresistible, crispy homemade chicken nuggets that are juicy inside. This easy recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and is guaranteed to be a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2 inches deep)

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and cover them with buttermilk. Let the chicken marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. In a separate shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. This is your crispy breading mixture.
  3. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, but do not wipe it dry.
  4. Dredge each piece of chicken thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing gently to make sure the coating adheres well.
  5. Heat the vegetable oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
  6. Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil, ensuring you do not overcrowd the pan. Work in batches if necessary.
  7. Fry for 4 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until the nuggets are golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C).
  8. Remove the nuggets with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
  9. Serve your best homemade nuggets immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • For an air fryer chicken nuggets version, spray the coated nuggets lightly with cooking spray and air fry at 380°F (195°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
  • To freeze for later, place uncooked, breaded nuggets on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag. Bake or air fry directly from frozen.
  • If you prefer ground chicken nuggets, you can form the ground chicken into nugget shapes before marinating and breading.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://devourdish.com/homemade-chicken-nuggets-recipe-easy-crispy/