Homemade Chicken Nuggets: A Delicious and Easy Recipe

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If you’re tired of store-bought chicken nuggets and want to give your kids a healthier and tastier alternative, then you’ve come to the right place. With our homemade chicken nugget recipe, you can create delicious nuggets using ground chicken and panko breadcrumbs. Whether you prefer baking, frying, or using an air fryer, this recipe is versatile and sure to be a hit with the whole family.

A plate of golden chicken nuggets on a white plate with sweet and sour sauce.

Making Perfect Chicken Nuggets

If your kids love chicken nuggets and you want to ensure they’re consuming real chicken, our homemade chicken nuggets are the answer. You have the option to grind your own organic free-range chicken or use store-bought ground chicken. The secret to juicy and tender nuggets lies in the panade, a simple mixture of milk and bread. As the meat cooks, the proteins expand and contract, causing moisture to escape. However, the panade’s starch turns to a gel, lubricating the meat fibers and keeping the nuggets moist and flavorful.

To add an extra golden and flavorful touch, consider brushing the nuggets with a bit of butter before baking. Alternatively, you can use a light coating of cooking spray. These nuggets are also freezer-friendly, allowing you to make them in bulk and have easy chicken nugget dinners whenever you need them.

How to Make Homemade Chicken Nuggets

  1. Combine bread, milk, garlic salt, and black pepper to create the panade.

Scooping up ground chicken with a Tablespoon and forming into chicken nuggets.

  1. Gently incorporate the panade into the ground chicken using your hands.

Brushing homemade chicken nuggets with whisked eggs and coating them in breadcrumbs.

  1. Use a tablespoon to scoop up the chicken mixture and form nugget shapes.

  2. Brush whisked egg over the nuggets and coat them in the breadcrumb mixture.

  3. Bake at 375°F for 7 minutes. Then, brush each side with melted butter and bake for an additional 8 minutes. Allow the nuggets to rest for a few minutes before serving.

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For those who prefer frying, simply heat vegetable or canola oil in a skillet to 350°F and fry the chicken in batches until golden on each side (approximately 2-3 minutes per side). Air frying is another option: brush the top and bottom of the nuggets with butter or spray them with canola oil. Then, air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

If you plan to freeze the nuggets, flash freeze the unbaked nuggets on a plate in the freezer for an hour. Afterward, transfer them to a freezer bag, and they can be stored for up to 3 months. To bake from frozen, preheat the oven to 400°F and bake the nuggets for 15-18 minutes.

Pro Tips and Storage

  • You can grind your own chicken by using a food processor and pulsing chicken breasts until they reach the desired consistency. Alternatively, boneless chicken thighs can be used.
  • Crushed cornflakes can be used instead of breadcrumbs for a different texture and flavor.
  • Leftover nuggets can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in a 350°F oven.
  • Don’t forget to leave a review after trying this recipe!

Enjoy these homemade chicken nuggets as a delicious and healthier alternative to store-bought options. Visit Rowdy Hog Smokin BBQ for more delightful recipes and cooking inspiration.