Easiest Crispy Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Make juicy, crispy chicken nuggets from scratch quickly. This recipe uses a simple three-step breading process and works well for baking or air frying.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 18 min
- Total Time: 33 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking or Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.25 teaspoon paprika
- Cooking spray or oil for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare the breading stations: Place flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a shallow dish. Whisk the eggs in a second dish. Place panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish.
- Dredge the chicken: Take one piece of chicken and coat it completely in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
- Dip the floured chicken into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off.
- Coat the chicken thoroughly in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently so the crumbs adhere well. Place coated pieces on a wire rack.
- To bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the nuggets with cooking spray or oil. Bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
- To air fry: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place nuggets in a single layer in the basket, spraying lightly with oil. Cook for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
Notes
- For extra crispiness when baking, place the wire rack on top of a baking sheet.
- You can substitute ground chicken for breast pieces; form the ground chicken into small, uniform nugget shapes before breading.
- These nuggets freeze well. Place cooked, cooled nuggets on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to three months. Reheat in the oven or air fryer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 nuggets
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 32
- Cholesterol: 85