Crispy Golden Chicken Nuggets (Printer-friendly)

Tender, juicy chicken pieces coated in a crispy, golden breadcrumb crust. Ready in 35 minutes for perfect dipping and snacking.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces

→ Marinade

02 - ½ cup buttermilk
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
05 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
06 - ½ teaspoon paprika

→ Breading

07 - ¾ cup all-purpose flour
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1½ cups breadcrumbs, preferably panko
10 - 1 teaspoon paprika
11 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
12 - ½ teaspoon salt
13 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ For Frying

14 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine chicken pieces with buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl. Mix thoroughly, cover, and marinate for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours for enhanced tenderness.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls: place flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and breadcrumbs mixed with paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in the third.
03 - Dredge each marinated chicken piece in flour, dip into egg wash, then coat thoroughly with breadcrumb mixture. Place coated pieces on a tray.
04 - Heat oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F. Fry chicken nuggets in batches for 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
05 - Serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauces, such as ketchup, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.

# Cooking Tips:

01 -
  • The buttermilk marinade works like magic, making the chicken fall apart tender
  • Panko breadcrumbs create this shatteringly crunchy crust that stays crisp even after cooling
  • These come together faster than delivery and taste infinitely better
02 -
  • Crowding the pan drops the oil temperature fast, leading to soggy greasy nuggets
  • Letting the coated pieces rest for 10 minutes before frying helps the breading set better
  • Invest in a good thermometer because guessing oil temperature ruins more nuggets than anything else
03 -
  • Let the coated nuggets sit for 10 minutes before frying, this prevents the coating from sliding off
  • Add a pinch of cayenne to the breadcrumb mix if you like things with a little kick
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