Discover The Secret To Perfectly Crispy Chicken Nuggets At Home

Ingredients:

• 500g boneless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 1 cup buttermilk (for marination)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp paprika or red chili powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (for coating)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (for coating; panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch)
• 2 large eggs (for binding)
• 1 tbsp water (to whisk with eggs)
• Oil (for frying, or spray oil if baking)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:

• Cut the boneless chicken breasts into nugget-sized pieces (around 1 to 1.5 inches each).
• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps in getting a crispier coating later.

2. Marinate the Chicken:

• In a bowl, combine the buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Add the chicken pieces to the buttermilk mixture. Ensure that all the pieces are well coated.
• Cover the bowl and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours in the refrigerator. The longer the marination, the more flavorful and tender the nuggets will be.

3. Prepare the Breading Station:

• In one bowl, mix all-purpose flour with a little salt and pepper.
• In a second bowl, whisk eggs with 1 tbsp water until smooth.
• In a third bowl, place breadcrumbs (use panko for extra crispiness).

4. Coating the Chicken:

• Take the marinated chicken pieces out of the buttermilk.
• Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.
• Next, dip the floured chicken into the egg mixture, coating it evenly.
• Finally, roll the chicken in the breadcrumbs until completely coated. Press down slightly to ensure the breadcrumbs stick well.

5. Frying Method:

• Heat oil in a deep frying pan or pot to 350°F (175°C).
• Carefully add the chicken nuggets in small batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
• Fry for about 4-5 minutes on each side until the nuggets turn golden brown and crispy.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

6. Baking Method (Healthier Option):

• Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Place the coated nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Lightly spray the nuggets with oil or cooking spray.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they turn golden brown and crispy.

7. Air Fryer Method (Crispiest Healthier Option):

• Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• Place the coated nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

8. Serve:

• Serve the crispy chicken nuggets with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or ranch.

Tips for Extra Crispy Nuggets:

• Double coat the nuggets by repeating the flour and egg steps for a thicker, crispier crust.
• Panko breadcrumbs add more crunch than regular breadcrumbs.
• If baking or air frying, lightly spray the nuggets with oil to help them crisp up.

Enjoy your homemade crispy chicken nuggets.