Description
These golden, crispy homemade chicken nuggets are packed with flavor, perfectly crunchy on the outside, and juicy on the inside. A fast-food favorite made better in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds raw chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Pour enough oil into your frying pan to reach about 1.5 inches deep. Heat it to 350°F (175°C) over medium heat.
- In one bowl, whisk together eggs. In a second bowl, mix flour with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In a third bowl, place the breadcrumbs.
- Line a wire rack with paper towels underneath to catch any dripping oil after frying.
- Dip each chicken piece in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. For extra crunch, repeat the egg and breadcrumb dip one more time.
- Fry 5 to 6 nuggets at a time in the hot oil. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown and fully cooked inside.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to the wire rack. Sprinkle lightly with salt while hot.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces like honey mustard, BBQ, or spicy ketchup.
Notes
- Double-dip in breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, crispier coating.
- Don’t overcrowd the frying pan to maintain oil temperature.
- Freeze uncooked nuggets for a quick meal later.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (about 6-8 nuggets)
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 165mg
Keywords: homemade chicken nuggets, crispy nuggets, easy fried chicken, kid-friendly snack