The BEST Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe

These are the best homemade chicken nuggets that I promise your whole family will love! All you need are a few ingredients for a healthier-than-fast-food chicken nugget recipe.

The best chicken nuggets recipe

Has anyone else lived on chicken nuggets as a kid? Yes, me too. And apparently the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, because my daughter does too.

I try to keep in mind that my very picky tastes as a kid turned into a food blogger as an adult, so change really is possible! In the meantime, I’m determined to feed her homemade chicken nuggets because let’s face it, they’re far superior to the store-bought versions.

This chicken nuggets recipe is actually the best. They’re crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, without the need for pan or air frying. As much as I love the air fryer, space is a major constraint and I prefer to cook my chicken nugget recipe in bulk. But fear not, I’ve also included air fryer instructions below.

If my very picky daughter is any indication, these Homemade Chicken Nuggets really are a hit!

Ingredients for homemade chicken nuggets

• Chicken – You should use boneless, skinless chicken breasts that have been cut into about 1 inch cubes.
• Panko bread crumbs – You can also use regular breadcrumbs, but panko really adds a nice crunch
• Spices – Garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and salt and pepper. These make for such great flavor, so don’t skip it!
• egg – You need eggs to bind the panko and spices to the chicken.
• Cooking spray with olive oil – this is the secret ingredient that keeps your chicken nuggets crispy in the oven. You could use any cooking spray but I prefer olive oil.

note: Next, you will also get a wire rack that fits over a baking sheet. Baking your chicken nugget recipe on a wire rack allows the heat to circulate around the nuggets and cook them evenly.

How to make homemade chicken nuggets

STEP 1: MIX DRY INGREDIENTS

In a shallow bowl, combine the panko, spices, and salt and pepper.

STEP 2: PEELING EGGS + CHICKEN

In a small bowl, whisk the egg. With one hand, dip a cube of chicken into the egg, then use the same hand to take it out and place it in the panko seasoning mix.

STEP 3: TREAT CHICKEN WITH DRY INGREDIENTS

With your other hand, toss the chicken in the panko spice mix. Remove by hand and place on the grid. Repeat until all of the chicken is coated in the egg panko mixture.

STEP 4: COOK CHICKEN

Spray the chicken with olive oil spray to give it a light coating. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and tender inside and no longer pink. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165 F before serving.

Can I cook chicken nuggets in the air fryer?

Yes you can! While I prefer to make these homemade chicken nuggets in the oven (you can cook more at a time), you can also make them in the air fryer.

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F
2. Place the chicken in the basket in small batches and cook for 10-12 minutes (turning halfway through). Repeat until all nuggets are cooked.

storage + freezing

One of the main reasons I love this Homemade Chicken Nuggets Recipe is that it’s great for meal prep. You can make a large batch at once and then freeze it.

In the refrigerator– Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven, toaster, microwave or air fryer.

In the freezer – Allow the chicken to cool, then place on a clean baking sheet. Place them in the freezer for 2-3 hours, then place in a ziplock bag to freeze for 3 months. Heat them up in the oven or air fryer.

What to serve with chicken nuggets

You can’t go wrong when you serve your homemade chicken nuggets with a dipping sauce like ketchup, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or ranch dressing. If you still want to round off the meal, here are some ideas:

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