HOMEMADE CHICKEN NUGGETS

Using ground chicken and panko breadcrumbs, these homemade chicken nuggets are prepared. They can be fried, roasted in the oven, or air-fried. These are delicious, and your kids can even assist you in making them.

Serve these nuggets with French fries, broccoli mac and cheese, potato wedges, or buttered noodles!

Chicken nuggets

These are prepared using a straightforward panade, which maintains the meat tender and moist rather than being heavy and dense. Proteins in the meat expand and contract as it cooks, allowing moisture to escape. As the meat cooks, the starch in the panade transforms into a gel and lubricates the meat's fibres.

To make these nuggets extra brown and tasty, I prefer to brush them lightly with butter, but frying spray will also work!

In order to prepare them in large quantities and freeze them for quick chicken nugget dinners for you and the kids, let's dig into everything you need to know.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. ground chicken, see notes
• 3 Tablespoons milk
• 1 slice bread, or ⅓ cup Italian breadcrumbs
• ¾ teaspoon garlic salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 egg, whisked
• 3 Tablespoons melted butter, or canola oil spray

Breading

• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley

How to make this recipe

• In a small bowl, mix the bread, milk, garlic salt, and black pepper. When cooking, this mixture, known as a panade, keeps the chicken moist and keeps it from being dense.
• Use your hands to gently stir the panade into the ground chicken after adding it to the large bowl. Avoid overmixing.
• Scoop up the chicken with a tablespoon and make it into nuggets.

• The nuggets should be covered in whisked egg before being breadcrumb-coated.

• Bake for 7 minutes at 375°. After taking it out of the oven, brush both sides with melted butter. eight more minutes of baking. Prior to serving, allow them to rest for a short while.

To fry in skillet

• In a Dutch oven, heat 1 inch of vegetable or canola oil to 350 degrees.
• Cook the chicken in batches, 2-3 minutes per side, until browned.
• The edges won't get crispy if the pan is packed too tightly. To remove and place on a wire cooling rack, use kitchen tongs.

Air fryer method

• Apply 3 tablespoon of butter or canola oil to the nuggets' top and bottom.
• For eight minutes, air fried at 400 degrees. halfway through, flip them.

To bake from frozen

• If you want to freeze the unbaked nuggets, flash freeze them on a plate in the freezer for an hour, then move them to a freezer bag for storage for up to three months.
• Bake for 15 to 18 minutes at 400 degrees.

Pro tips

• By chopping up chicken breasts into cubes and processing till the desired consistency, you may manufacture your own ground chicken. You can also use chicken thighs without bones.
• If preferred, Cornflakes can be used in place of breadcrumbs. The butter can still be added for flavour even though they are more golden in colour and don't require it as much for colour.

Storage

• Refrigerating Leftovers: These are best if enjoyed fresh from the oven, however you can refrigerate them for up to 3 days and reheat in a 350° oven.
• Freezing: Flash freeze the unbaked nuggets on a plate in the freezer for an hour, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. See section above for instructions on baking from frozen.

Notes

• By chopping up chicken breasts into cubes and processing till the desired consistency, you may manufacture your own ground chicken. You can also use chicken thighs without bones.
• If preferred, Cornflakes can be used in place of breadcrumbs. The butter can still be added for flavour even though they are more golden in colour and don't require it as much for colour.
• When the internal temperature of the chicken hits 165 degrees, it is finished.
• Using an air fryer, coat the nuggets' top and bottom with 3 TBS of butter or canola oil. For eight minutes, air fried at 400 degrees. halfway through, flip them.
• If you want to freeze the unbaked nuggets, flash freeze them on a tray in the freezer for an hour, then move them to a freezer bag for up to three months.
• Bake frozen food for 15–18 minutes at 400 degrees.

FAQ's

What type of chicken should I use for homemade chicken nuggets?

It's best to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders for making chicken nuggets. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.

Can I use a different coating instead of panko breadcrumbs?

Yes, you can use other types of breadcrumbs or coatings for your chicken nuggets. Crushed cornflakes, crushed crackers, or even finely chopped nuts can work well as a coating.