Crispy Golden Chicken Nuggets (Printable)

Tender juicy chicken pieces in crispy golden coating, ready for dipping.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces

→ Marinade

02 - ½ cup buttermilk
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
05 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
06 - ½ teaspoon paprika

→ Breading

07 - ¾ cup all-purpose flour
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1½ cups breadcrumbs, preferably panko
10 - 1 teaspoon paprika
11 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
12 - ½ teaspoon salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ For Frying

14 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying

# Directions:

01 - Combine chicken pieces with buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl. Mix thoroughly, cover, and marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for enhanced tenderness.
02 - Set up three shallow bowls: place flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and breadcrumbs mixed with paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in the third.
03 - Remove chicken from marinade. Dredge each piece in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg mixture, then press firmly into breadcrumbs to coat completely. Arrange coated pieces on a tray.
04 - Heat oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F. Fry chicken nuggets in batches for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
05 - Serve hot with your choice of dipping sauces such as ketchup, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • That satisfying crunch when you bite through the golden coating into juicy, tender chicken inside
  • Way better than anything from the freezer aisle and honestly faster than you'd think
  • Perfect for convincing skeptical dinner guests that homemade is always worth the effort
02 -
  • Crowding the pan drops the oil temperature fast, leading to greasy nuggets instead of crispy ones
  • Let them drain on paper towels for at least a minute so excess oil can drip off
  • The oil needs to stay hot between batches, so give it time to recover before adding more nuggets
03 -
  • Pat the chicken pieces dry before marinating if they're too wet, or the coating won't stick properly
  • Use one hand for wet ingredients and one for dry to keep your fingers from getting completely coated in breading
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