Description
These chicken nuggets are everything you want them to be: crispy, golden, and juicy, with none of the worries that come with store-bought versions. Pam created this recipe as a safe, homemade alternative after food recalls made her rethink frozen nuggets. They’re marinated in buttermilk for extra tenderness, coated in a crunchy Parmesan-panko breading, and fried to golden perfection. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces and sides for a meal that’s always a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup buttermilk (or whole milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp dried oregano or thyme (optional)
- Neutral oil for frying (canola or vegetable)
Instructions
- Trim and cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces (1 to 1.5 inches).
- In a bowl, mix buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- In another bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, panko, Parmesan, oregano (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the breading mixture, pressing firmly to coat.
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Fry chicken nuggets in small batches for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove to a wire rack or paper towels to drain. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispy nuggets, double-dip the chicken in marinade and breading.
- Rest breaded nuggets for 10-15 minutes before frying.
- Maintain oil temperature between batches to ensure even cooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg