Chicken Nuggets Recipe
This chicken nuggets recipe delivers perfectly crispy and juicy bites that everyone will love. Learn how to marinate, coat, and cook these nuggets using frying, baking, or air frying. Perfect for family dinners, parties, or snacks, these nuggets are easy to customize for any diet or taste preference.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 large chicken breasts or thighs cut into 1-2 inch pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Coating:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs or panko
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese optional
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or parsley
For Frying or Air-Frying:
- Cooking oil for frying vegetable or canola oil or spray oil for air-frying
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, mix buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Add chicken pieces, ensuring they’re fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for best results).
Prepare the Coating:
- In a shallow bowl, combine flour, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
- In another bowl, whisk eggs with milk.
- In a third bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and herbs.
Coat the Chicken:
- Remove chicken from the marinade and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Dredge each piece in the flour mix, dip into the egg wash, and coat in the breadcrumb mixture. For extra crunch, repeat the egg and breadcrumb steps.
- Place coated chicken on a tray and let rest for 10 minutes.
Cook the Nuggets:
- Frying: Heat oil in a skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry nuggets in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place nuggets on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Air-Frying: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray nuggets with oil. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Serve:
- Enjoy hot with dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue.
Notes
- Marinate longer for tender, flavorful nuggets.
- Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.