Description

Crispy and juicy homemade chicken nuggets made with simple pantry ingredients. Perfect for all ages, quick to prepare, and customizable whether fried or baked. Enjoy tender, flavorful nuggets without preservatives, ideal for snacks, lunches, or family meals.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1–2 inch chunks

Coating

1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for GF option)
2 large eggs, beaten
1 to 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs (panko or regular, gluten-free if needed)

Seasonings

1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika

Cooking

Vegetable oil or canola oil for frying (or light cooking spray if baking)

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks, about 1-2 inches each, for even cooking and easy eating.
Set Up the Breading Station: In three shallow bowls, place seasoned flour (flour mixed with salt and pepper), beaten eggs, and seasoned breadcrumbs (breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder and paprika).
Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first in the flour, shaking off excess, then into the egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs, pressing gently so crumbs stick well.
Cook the Nuggets: Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the nuggets in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels. Alternatively, bake nuggets on a greased baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, for a healthier option.
Serve Warm: Enjoy immediately for best crispiness, or keep warm in a low oven until ready to serve.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before breading to help coating stick better.
Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying to maintain oil temperature.
Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch and lighter texture.
Let nuggets rest briefly on a wire rack after cooking to stay crispy.
Check oil temperature with a thermometer or breadcrumb test before frying.
For gluten-free, swap regular flour and breadcrumbs for gluten-free versions.
Make-ahead: Bread chicken pieces and refrigerate before cooking.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Frying or Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 5 nuggets
Calories: 320
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 400mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 22g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: homemade chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, kid-friendly chicken nuggets, easy chicken nuggets, baked chicken nuggets, fried chicken nuggets, gluten free chicken nuggets