The Best Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Crispy homemade chicken nuggets enhance ordinary dinner into a delightful culinary adventure that sparks joy for everyone at the table.

Crafting these golden-brown morsels requires minimal ingredients but promises maximum satisfaction for hungry families.

The secret lies in achieving that perfectly crunchy exterior while maintaining tender, juicy meat inside.

Selecting high-quality chicken and seasoning thoughtfully elevates these bite-sized treasures from simple fare to something truly memorable.

Careful coating techniques and precise cooking temperatures ensure each nugget delivers a satisfying crunch that commercial versions can never match.

Preparing these nuggets becomes a fun kitchen experience that connects you with fresh, wholesome ingredients.

Kids and adults alike will appreciate the love and care baked into every crispy bite.

What You Need for Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Main Ingredients:

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that forms the base of the nuggets, best when fresh and boneless.
• Flour: Creates a dry base layer for coating, helping other ingredients stick to the chicken.

• Eggs, Water: Helps breadcrumb mixture adhere to chicken, creating a smooth binding layer.
• Breadcrumbs: Provides crispy exterior and golden brown texture for the nuggets.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, savory flavor and extra crunch to the coating.

• Italian Seasoning: Brings herbal and aromatic notes to enhance overall flavor profile.
• Garlic Salt: Provides salty and garlicky taste that complements the chicken.

• Vegetable Oil: Enables deep frying and creates crispy, golden exterior for the nuggets.

How to Get Crispy Chicken Nuggets at Home

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Pieces

Slice chicken into bite-sized chunks measuring 1-1.5 inches. Ensure uniform size for even cooking.

Step 2: Set Up Coating Stations

• First bowl: flour
• Second bowl: whisk eggs and water together
• Third bowl: mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt

Step 3: Prepare Frying Oil

Pour oil into frying pan, filling approximately 2 inches deep. Heat to 350°F over medium heat.

Step 4: Coat Chicken Nuggets

• Coat with flour
• Dip in egg mixture
• Roll in breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere

Step 5: Test Oil Temperature

Drop 1 nugget into hot oil. It should sizzle immediately. If it browns too quickly, lower heat.

Step 6: Fry Chicken Nuggets

Cook nuggets in small batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.

Step 7: Drain and Serve

Place fried nuggets on wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil. Serve hot and enjoy!

Insider Tips for Homemade Chicken Nuggets

• Slice Evenly: Cut chicken pieces uniform in size to ensure consistent cooking and crispy texture throughout.
• Temperature Control: Use a cooking thermometer to maintain oil at exactly 350°F for golden-brown, perfectly crisp nuggets without burning.
• Dry Ingredients Matter: Pat chicken completely dry before coating to help breading stick better and create extra crunchiness.
• Layer Coating Carefully: Press breadcrumb mixture firmly onto chicken to create a thick, even layer that guarantees maximum crispiness.
• Drain Properly: Let nuggets rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain crisp coating.

How to Store and Warm Up Chicken Nuggets

• Refrigerate chicken nuggets in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Store leftovers for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator, ensuring maximum freshness and food safety. Reheating works best in the oven to maintain crispiness – preheat to 375°F and place nuggets on a baking sheet. Warm for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even heating and restore that delightful crunch. Avoid microwaving, which can make the breading soggy and compromise the texture. For best results, consume reheated nuggets immediately after warming to enjoy their original crispy exterior and tender interior.

What Pairs Perfectly with Chicken Nuggets

• Pair with Zesty Ranch Dipping Sauce: Combine cool, tangy ranch with crispy chicken nuggets for a classic flavor explosion that kids and adults will love.
• Serve with Crisp Veggie Slaw: Create a light, fresh coleslaw with shredded cabbage and carrots to balance the richness of the golden-brown nuggets.
• Match with Sparkling Citrus Soda: The bright, effervescent drink cuts through the nuggets' richness and provides a refreshing contrast to the crispy coating.
• Complement with Sweet Potato Fries: Roasted sweet potato wedges add a nutritious and delicious side that enhances the overall meal with their natural sweetness and crispy texture.

New Flavors for Homemade Chicken Nuggets

• Spicy Southwestern Nuggets: Enhance the breadcrumb mixture with chili powder, paprika, and cayenne for a zesty kick that brings bold southwestern flavors to your chicken nuggets.
• Mediterranean-Style Herbs: Replace Italian seasoning with dried oregano, thyme, and mint, then add crumbled feta cheese to the breadcrumb coating for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Crunchy Almond-Crusted Nuggets: Swap traditional breadcrumbs with ground almonds and panko for an extra-crispy texture and nutty undertone that adds depth to the classic chicken nugget recipe.
• Gluten-Free Crispy Option: Use gluten-free flour and almond flour instead of wheat flour, and substitute breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free corn flakes or rice cereal for a celiac-friendly alternative.

Why Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets Stand Out

• Crowd-Pleasing Crunch: These homemade chicken nuggets deliver an irresistible crispy exterior that crackles with every bite, making them instantly appealing to both kids and adults.
• Flavor-Packed Customization: The blend of Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt transforms ordinary chicken into a gourmet-style treat that's way more delicious than store-bought nuggets.
• Simple Kitchen Adventure: With just three easy coating stations and a straightforward frying technique, this recipe empowers home cooks of all skill levels to create restaurant-quality chicken nuggets from scratch in under 30 minutes.

Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets bring restaurant-style magic straight to home kitchens with minimal effort. Golden breaded morsels packed with juicy chicken promise delightful crunch and irresistible flavor that will have dinner guests asking for seconds.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Coating Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1 cup regular or panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese

Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt

Oil:

• Oil for frying

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Transform chicken breast into uniform, petite morsels measuring approximately 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 centimeters) in size.
2. Arrange three distinct preparation vessels: one containing all-purpose flour, another with whisked eggs and water, and the final bowl filled with seasoned breadcrumb mixture.
3. Thoroughly dust each chicken piece with flour, ensuring complete and even coverage.
4. Submerge flour-coated chicken into egg mixture, allowing excess liquid to gently drip off.
5. Roll the egg-drenched chicken fragments into the seasoned breadcrumb blend, pressing delicately to secure a comprehensive, crisp exterior coating.
6. Preheat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet to precisely 350°F (175°C), utilizing a cooking thermometer for accuracy.
7. Carefully introduce test nugget into heated oil, verifying immediate sizzling without aggressive browning.
8. Strategically place chicken nuggets into oil, maintaining comfortable spacing to prevent overcrowding.
9. Fry nuggets for approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side, rotating once to achieve golden-brown, crispy exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
10. Transfer cooked nuggets onto wire cooling rack or absorbent paper towels to eliminate excess oil.
11. Allow nuggets to rest momentarily before serving, permitting residual heat to stabilize and coating to crisp further.

Notes

• Prep chicken carefully into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
• Establish three separate stations for flour, egg wash, and breadcrumb coating to streamline the breading process and minimize mess.
• Check oil temperature precisely using a cooking thermometer to guarantee perfectly crispy exterior and fully cooked interior.
• Work in small batches while frying to maintain consistent oil temperature and prevent overcrowding, which can lead to soggy nuggets.
• Allow nuggets to drain on a wire rack or paper towels to remove excess oil and maintain crispiness.
• Store leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven to preserve their crisp coating.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 520 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg