Easy Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe

What’s Up, Hungry People?

I love me some chicken nuggies! Who knew they were so easy to make at home? I love to take advantage of the random sales on meat at my local grocery store. When I get lucky, I can nab some ground chicken on the cheap.

Initially, I was going to remake my favorite chicken parmesan stuffed meatballs but had a stroke of genius (aka laziness) midway through the process and decided to try my hand at something new: baked chicken nuggets.

If you put these nuggets side-by-side with some frozen bagged ones, you may not know the difference. I served mine with sriracha ketchup and Carolina BBQ sauce for some twang!

Here’s What You Need

• Ground chicken – The base for our nuggets, providing a tender and juicy texture.
• Flour – Helps the breading stick to the chicken and creates a crispy exterior.
• Plain bread crumbs – Adds a crunchy coating to the nuggets.
• Eggs – Acts as a binder and helps the breading adhere to the chicken.
• Onion powder – Adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Garlic powder – Gives the nuggets a savory, aromatic taste.
• Salt – Enhances all the other flavors in the dish.
• Parsley (optional) – For a fresh, herbaceous garnish.
• Ketchup or BBQ sauce – Perfect for dipping and adding extra flavor.

Let’s Cook

First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F. Now, grab a large bowl and combine one egg with the ground chicken. Mix it up until the egg is fully incorporated into the chicken. This is going to be the base of our delicious nuggets.

Shape the Nuggets

Next, take about 2 tablespoons of the ground chicken mixture and roll it into small ball shapes. Then, gently flatten them to be about a half-inch thick. You’re aiming for that perfect nugget size!

Set Up Your Breading Station

In three separate bowls, place the whisked eggs, flour, and bread crumbs. Mix the garlic powder, onion powder, and salt into the bread crumbs. This seasoning is going to make our nuggets super tasty.

Bread the Nuggets

Now for the fun part! Take each chicken nugget and dredge it first in flour, then in the whisked egg, and finally in the seasoned bread crumbs. If you want a thicker breading, you can repeat this process.

Bake to Perfection

Arrange your breaded nuggets on a baking sheet lined with silicone or greased foil. Pop them in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when they turn a beautiful golden brown.

Serve and Enjoy

Once baked, serve these nuggets hot with your favorite dipping sauces. I love mine with sriracha ketchup and Carolina BBQ sauce for an extra kick.

Nuggets Know-How

• Avoid Overcrowding: When placing the nuggets on the baking sheet, make sure they’re not touching. This helps them cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.
• Double Dipping: For an extra crispy coating, dip the nuggets in the egg and bread crumbs a second time. This gives them that perfect crunch.
• Flavor Variations: Feel free to experiment with different spices in the bread crumbs. Paprika, cayenne, or even Parmesan cheese can add a unique twist.
• Check for Doneness: To ensure your nuggets are fully cooked, you can cut one open to check that the chicken is no longer pink inside.
• Freezing Leftovers: If you have any leftovers (which is rare!), freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a bag. Reheat in the oven for a quick snack.

Alright, Hungry People, that’s how you whip up some seriously tasty homemade chicken nuggets! Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or a fun meal to share, these nuggets hit the spot. Plus, with all those easy-to-find ingredients, it’s a breeze to make them any night of the week. Serve them up with your favorite dipping sauces and watch them disappear in no time. You’ll love the crispy coating and juicy center. Give them a try and let me know what you think!

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