Homemade Chicken Nuggets with simple ingredients that your family won’t be able to get enough of! Juicy nuggets made with tender chicken & a unique breading that tastes incredible!
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These fried chicken nuggets are a great option for anyone who loves nuggets and wants to make a healthier, customizable, and budget-friendly version at home. Making this homemade chicken nuggets recipe allows you to control the ingredients and cooking method, resulting in a more delicious meal.
Homemade Nuggets- A Recipe Your Family Will Love
With this simple chicken nugget recipe, you can create golden, crispy chicken nuggets that are sure to be a hit with everyone in your household. These homemade chicken nuggets are an affordable option that can be made in large batches and frozen for later use, making them a convenient meal option for busy weeknights. Serve these nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
If you love our homemade chicken tenders, you’ve got to try these nuggets!
Why You’ll Love This Homemade Nugget Recipe
- Make a big batch: Save time and money by making a big batch of these nuggets and freezing them for later!
- Customizable: This recipe is very versatile, and you can customize it to your liking. You can add different spices, herbs, or even cheese to the recipe to make it your own.
- Budget-Friendly: Making your own chicken nuggets is also a budget-friendly option. You can buy chicken in bulk and make a large batch of nuggets, which will save you money in the long run.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets Ingredients
Vanilla wafer cookies: For the subtle sweet taste that everyone is sure to enjoy, you need 20 vanilla wafer cookies, finely crushed.
Salt: Add 1 ½ tsp of seasoned salt to the breading mixture for a nice balanced flavor.
Paprika: Use ¾ tsp of smoked Paprika for a nice earthy flavor and a sweet, peppery taste.
Pepper: For more great taste, add ½ tsp of black pepper to the mixture.
Flour: You will need 1 ⅓ cup of all-purpose flour, divided, to coat the chicken well.
Milk: Using ¼ cup of milk in the egg mixture helps create a creamy and delicious nugget coating.
Egg: Help the breading bind to the chicken by adding 1 egg to the mixture.
Chicken: The base of this dish is 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 ½” pieces.
Oil: Depending on the size of pan you use, you will need oil for frying. Add about 1″ into the pan to ensure the nuggets fry evenly.
How to make the BEST Chicken Nuggets at Home
Prep
Begin by heating the oil to 375°F in a frying pan. Then, put the cookies in a zip locked bag and use a rolling pin to finely crush. Or you can use a food processor for this step if you have one available.
Coating
Next, stir together the crushed cookies, salt, Paprika, pepper, and 1 cup of flour. Set this mixture aside.
In a separate small bowl whisk the milk and egg, set this aside as well.
After that, measure out the remaining ⅓ cup of flour in a wide bowl.
Cook
Proceed to dredge the chicken pieces in the remaining ⅓ cup of flour, then dip them in the egg mixture, and lastly dredge them in the seasoned wafer mixture.
Immediately place them in the preheated frying pan of oil and fry in batches, do not crowd them in the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, transfer them to paper towels to drain once cooked through.
Serve with Ranch or BBQ sauce. Enjoy!
How to make Homemade Chicken Nuggets a Full Meal
Dipping Sauces: Homemade chicken nuggets are great on their own, but dipping sauces can take them to the next level. Here are a few suggestions for dipping sauces that pair well with chicken nuggets:
- Honey Mustard: This classic dipping sauce is a perfect balance of sweet and tangy. To make your own, mix together equal parts honey and mustard, then add a splash of vinegar and a pinch of salt.
- Barbecue Sauce: Tangy and smoky, barbecue sauce is a great choice for chicken nuggets. You can make your own by mixing together ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and a few spices.
- Ranch Dressing: Creamy and cool, ranch dressing is a popular choice for dipping chicken nuggets. You can make your own by mixing together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, and a blend of herbs and spices.
Side Dishes: While chicken nuggets can be a meal on their own, serving them with a few side dishes can make for a more complete and satisfying meal. Here are a few suggestions for side dishes that pair well with chicken nuggets:
- French Fries: Crispy and salty, french fries are a classic side dish for chicken nuggets. You can make your own by cutting potatoes into thin strips and frying them in oil until golden brown. Try these sweet potato fries for a healthier side dish.
- Vegetable Sticks: If you’re looking for a healthier side dish, try serving your chicken nuggets with a side of vegetable sticks. Carrots, celery, and bell peppers all make great options.
- Mac and Cheese: Creamy and comforting, mac and cheese is a great choice for a side dish. You can make your own by cooking macaroni noodles and mixing them with a cheese sauce made from butter, flour, milk, and shredded cheese.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 20 vanilla wafer cookies finely crushed
- 1 ½ tsp seasoned salt
- ¾ tsp smoked Paprika
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 ⅓ cup all purpose flour divided
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 egg
- 4 chicken breasts boneless, skinless & cut into 1 ½" pieces
- oil for frying
Instructions
- Prep: Begin heating oil to 375°F in a frying pan. Put the cookies in a zip locked bag and use a rolling pin to finely crush. Or you can use a food processor for this step if you have one available.
- Coating: Stir together crushed cookies, salt, Paprika, pepper, and 1 cup flour. Set aside.
- Whisk together milk and egg, set it aside. Measure out the remaining ⅓ cup of flour in a wide bowl.
- Cook: Dredge the chicken pieces in the remaining ⅓ cup of flour, then dip them in the egg mixture, and lastly dredge them in the seasoned wafer mixture.
- Immediately place them in the preheated frying pan of oil and fry in batches, do not crowd them in the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, transfer them to paper towels to drain once cooked through.
- Serve with Ranch or BBQ sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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How long are these good for?
Homemade chicken nuggets can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. To extend their shelf life, they can be frozen for up to 2 months. When reheating, make sure they are heated all the way through to ensure they are safe to eat.
What can I use instead of vanilla wafer cookies for the coating?
If you don’t have vanilla wafer cookies, you can use panko breadcrumbs, cornflakes, or crushed crackers as a coating for your chicken nuggets. Experiment with different coatings to find the one that you like the most.
What ingredients are needed for making healthy chicken nuggets at home?
To make healthy chicken nuggets, you will need skinless, boneless chicken breasts, whole wheat flour, eggs, and a healthy coating such as whole wheat breadcrumbs or almond meal. You can also add in some herbs and spices to enhance the flavor.
How can I prepare chicken nuggets in an air fryer?
To prepare chicken nuggets in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Coat the chicken nuggets in the coating and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.
Tips for making homemade chicken nuggets appealing to kids
To make homemade chicken nuggets more appealing to kids, you can cut them into fun shapes using cookie cutters. You can also serve them with their favorite dipping sauce or make a variety of different coatings to keep things interesting. Additionally, involving kids in the cooking process can make them more excited about eating the finished product.
For more amazing chicken dishes, try our favorite recipes here:
- Philly Chicken Sliders
- Copycat Chick-fil-A Sandwiches
- BBQ Chicken Tostadas
- Chicken Parmesan Sliders
- Grilled Chicken Salad with Pesto Ranch Dressing
- Copycat Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Pineapple Tacos
- Cheesy Chicken Sliders
- Chicken Salad & Apples
- Cheesy Grilled Pineapple Chicken
- Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
- Ranch Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
- Asian Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
- Avocado Chicken Salad
- Spinach Chicken Pasta Salad
Homemade Chicken Nuggets are made with juicy chicken and a simple sweet & savory breading you’ll love. Making this homemade chicken nuggets recipe is so easy, the recipe comes together fast and the results are absolutely incredible!
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