Crispy, Flavor-Packed Chicken Nuggets Recipe

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🛒 Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

For the Coating:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)

For Frying:

  • Oil for deep frying (vegetable or canola oil)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken
    In a bowl, combine buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Add chicken pieces and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours for deeper flavor).
  2. Prepare the Coating
    In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, onion powder, oregano, cayenne, and baking powder.
  3. Coat the Nuggets
    Remove chicken from marinade. Dip each piece into beaten egg, then coat well in the flour mixture. Finally, roll in breadcrumbs for extra crispiness.
  4. Heat the Oil
    Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Fry Until Golden
    Fry nuggets in batches for 4–5 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked inside. Do not overcrowd the pan.
  6. Drain & Serve
    Remove and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve hot with ketchup, honey mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce.

🔥 Tips for Extra Crispy Nuggets

  • Double coat the nuggets (flour → egg → flour → breadcrumbs) for thicker crunch.
  • Let coated nuggets rest 10 minutes before frying to help coating stick better.
  • Maintain oil temperature; too low makes them greasy, too high burns them.
  • For a healthier option, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes or air fry at 380°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
  • Add grated parmesan to breadcrumbs for extra flavor.

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