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The Ultimate Crispy & Juicy Homemade Chicken Nuggets (Oven & Air Fryer Options)

A stack of perfectly golden, crispy homemade chicken nuggets on a white plate, one nugget broken open showing the white chicken interior.
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Make crispy, juicy chicken nuggets from scratch. This recipe works well for baking or air frying for a healthier option.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground chicken or finely diced chicken breast
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crispiness)
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
  • Cooking spray or oil for baking/air frying

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine the ground chicken, beaten egg, 1/4 cup flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until just combined.
  2. Shape the mixture into small, bite-sized nugget shapes. If using diced chicken, ensure pieces are uniform.
  3. Set up a dredging station: Place the remaining 1/4 cup flour in one shallow dish and the panko breadcrumbs in another.
  4. Dredge each nugget first in the flour, shaking off excess. Then, coat thoroughly in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly so the crumbs stick.
  5. For Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spray generously with cooking spray or brush lightly with oil. Bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
  6. For Air Frying: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray. Place nuggets in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until crispy.
  7. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • For make-ahead nuggets, place the breaded, uncooked nuggets on a tray and freeze them solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag. Cook directly from frozen, adding 3-5 minutes to the cooking time.
  • You can substitute ground turkey for ground chicken.
  • For a copycat flavor, add a pinch of MSG (optional) to the flour dredge.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorsensations.com/homemade-chicken-nuggets-secret/