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Ultimate Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets (Oven or Air Fryer)

Close-up of perfectly golden, crispy homemade chicken nuggets on a light-colored plate.
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Make irresistible, crispy homemade chicken nuggets from scratch. This recipe delivers juicy chicken inside a perfectly crunchy coating, suitable for baking or air frying for a family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs (for extra crispiness)
  • Cooking spray or oil for brushing/spraying

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken pieces in a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground. Do not over-process; you want a slightly chunky texture, not a paste.
  2. Season the chicken: In a bowl, mix the ground chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/4 teaspoon onion powder. Form the mixture into small, nugget shapes. Place shaped nuggets on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to help them hold their shape.
  3. Set up the dredging stations: Prepare three shallow dishes. In the first, combine the flour with the remaining salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. In the second, whisk the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water. In the third, place the panko breadcrumbs.
  4. Coat the nuggets: Take one chilled nugget and dredge it completely in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip it into the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off. Finally, press the nugget firmly into the panko breadcrumbs until fully coated. Repeat for all nuggets.
  5. Cook the nuggets (Oven Method): Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the coated nuggets with cooking spray or brush with oil. Bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F).
  6. Cook the nuggets (Air Fryer Method): Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the coated nuggets with cooking spray. Cook in a single layer for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through.
  7. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • For freezer friendly chicken nuggets, place uncooked, breaded nuggets on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Cook directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
  • If you prefer a copycat fast food nugget texture, use finely ground chicken and skip the chilling step, but be aware they may be slightly softer.
  • For a healthier chicken nuggets recipe, use ground chicken instead of breast, or try baking instead of frying.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://seventhflavour.com/homemade-chicken-nuggets-recipe-crispy/