Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Square side shot of homemade chicken nuggets on a red and white plate.

Print Pin

5 from 3 votes

Crispy and golden brown, these easy homemade chicken nuggets are a simple, family-friendly meal!

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken nuggets recipe, fried chicken nuggets, homemade chicken nuggets

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Servings people (about 40 nuggets total)

Calories 76kcal

Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins, cut into small pieces
2 large eggs
¾ cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
3 cups Panko breadcrumbs
4 cups peanut or vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

In a large Ziploc bag or bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and buttermilk. Place Panko breadcrumbs in a separate shallow bowl.
Add the chicken pieces to the bag with the seasoned flour. Seal and toss to coat each piece in the seasoned flour. Working in batches, dip the chicken pieces in the egg mixture and then dredge in the breadcrumbs. Let the chicken rest on a wire rack for a few minutes while you heat the oil.
In a large cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven, heat the oil to 350°F. Working in batches, fry the chicken until deep golden brown, about 2-3 minutes total (flipping halfway through). Transfer to a paper towel-lined tray and sprinkle with a little more salt.
Keep the chicken nuggets warm in a 200°F oven while you finish frying the remaining pieces.

Video

Notes

It's difficult to calculate the exact nutrition facts for a homemade fried chicken nuggets recipe because the amount of oil absorbed in each piece will vary, and the amount of breading that adheres to each piece will vary. The nutrition provided in the recipe card below is merely an estimate; the numbers assume that about ½ cup of oil is absorbed by the chicken in the cooking process.

Nutrition