If you’ve ever wished for crispy, juicy chicken nuggets made right in your own kitchen, you’re going to love this Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe. With tender marinated chicken, a crave-worthy golden crust, and that classic kid-approved flavor, these nuggets easily outshine anything from the freezer aisle or a drive-thru. They’re incredibly easy to make, destined to become a family favorite, and absolutely perfect for dunking in your best-loved sauces!

Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe is in how simple the ingredient list is—yet each one has a role to play in the perfect bite. Every component brings a little something special, whether that’s flavor, crunch, or keeping the chicken juicy and tender.

Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless breasts cut into nugget-sized pieces provide the perfect combination of tenderness and chew.
Buttermilk: This tangy soak not only flavors the chicken but helps tenderize every piece, making your nuggets irresistibly juicy.
Salt: A must for bringing out all the savory flavors in your nuggets.
Black pepper: Adds a mild kick and depth to each bite—you’ll instantly notice the difference!
Garlic powder: A savory boost that deepens the overall taste. Don’t skip it!
Paprika: Gives a subtle smokiness and a beautiful golden hue to the breading.
All-purpose flour: The first layer in your breading station—it helps the other coatings stick and crisps up nicely when cooked.
Breadcrumbs: Use plain or panko for this Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe; panko breadcrumbs provide an extra-crispy finish.
Eggs: Beaten eggs act as the delicious glue that holds everything together.
Vegetable oil: Perfect for frying, thanks to its high smoke point and neutral flavor.

How to Make Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by tossing your chicken pieces in buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Give it all a good mix, then cover and let them soak in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Overnight is even better! This marinating step is a game-changer for juicy, flavorful nuggets.

Step 2: Set Up Your Breading Station

While the chicken is marinating, prepare three shallow bowls for your breading process: flour in one, beaten eggs in the second, and breadcrumbs in the third. Setting this up assembly-line style makes the coating process blissfully easy and mess-free.

Step 3: Coat the Nuggets

Remove each piece of chicken from the marinade, letting the excess drip off. Dredge first in flour, then dip in the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly in breadcrumbs, pressing gently so they stick. This triple-layering is what gives the Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe its irresistible crunch.

Step 4: Fry to Crispy Perfection

Pour 1 to 2 inches of oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven and heat to 350°F (175°C). Fry your chicken nuggets in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they’re gloriously golden, crispy, and cooked clear through.

Step 5: Drain and Serve

Transfer the nuggets to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any extra oil. They’re now ready for the best part—dipping, dunking, and devouring while warm!

How to Serve Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Garnishes

Keep it classic with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right out of the fryer, or add a little freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness. For grown-up flair, try a dusting of extra paprika or a squeeze of lemon over the top.

Side Dishes

Pair your Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe with crinkle-cut fries, a fresh green salad, or coleslaw for a balanced meal. Mac and cheese, baked sweet potato wedges, or even a simple corn-on-the-cob also make delicious partners. And of course, don’t forget plenty of dipping sauces—think honey mustard, ranch, barbecue, or even a spicy sriracha mayo!

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or family game nights, pile the nuggets on a platter with a rainbow of dipping sauces arranged in little bowls. Skewer them onto toothpicks for easy appetizers, or tuck a few into lettuce wraps for a lighter twist. They’re also fantastic tucked into lunchboxes alongside veggie sticks and fruit.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover chicken nuggets can be cooled completely, then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. They’ll stay moist and tasty, so you can repurpose them for quick lunches or snacks throughout the week.

Freezing

To freeze, arrange the fully cooked and cooled nuggets on a baking sheet and pop them into the freezer until solid. Once frozen, transfer to a zip-top bag and freeze for up to two months. This method keeps them from sticking together and means you can grab just what you need later.

Reheating

For the best results, reheat frozen or refrigerated nuggets in a 400°F (200°C) oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until hot and crispy again. The air fryer is another great option—5 to 7 minutes at 375°F (190°C) does the trick. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the coating won’t be quite as crunchy.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a tasty and slightly juicier alternative in the Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe. Just trim any excess fat before cutting them into bite-size pieces.

Are these nuggets gluten-free?

The standard recipe uses regular flour and breadcrumbs, so it’s not gluten-free as written. However, you can easily swap in your favorite gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for a version everyone can enjoy.

What oil is best for frying chicken nuggets?

Any neutral high-heat oil works well—vegetable, canola, or peanut oil are all great choices. Avoid olive oil, which smokes at lower temperatures and can influence the flavor.

Can I prep these ahead of time?

Yes! You can marinate the chicken and prepare them up to the breaded stage, then refrigerate for several hours before frying or baking. That way, you can have fresh, hot nuggets right when you need them.

How do I make the breading extra crispy?

For a crunchier nugget, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular, and make sure your oil is nice and hot before frying. Double-coating the nuggets (dipping twice in egg and breadcrumbs) also works wonders for extra texture in the Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe.

Final Thoughts

Once you see just how easy and insanely delicious this Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe is, you’ll want to make them every week! Whip up a batch, share with your favorite people, and enjoy that unbeatable combo of golden crunch and juicy chicken—you simply can’t go wrong. Give it a try and discover your new go-to nugget recipe at home!

Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes (plus marinating time)
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Learn how to make delicious Homemade Chicken Nuggets that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. These nuggets are perfect for a kid-friendly meal and can be easily customized to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Nuggets:

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces)
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika

Breading:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
2 large eggs (beaten)
Vegetable oil (for frying)

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Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine chicken, buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Marinate for 30 minutes to overnight.
Prepare Breading Station: Set up three shallow bowls with flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs.
Bread the Chicken: Dredge each piece in flour, then dip in eggs, and coat with breadcrumbs.
Fry the Nuggets: Heat oil to 350°F, fry nuggets for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.
Drain and Serve: Transfer nuggets to a paper towel-lined plate and serve warm with dipping sauce.