How to Make Chicken Nuggets

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: March 7, 2023 Tested

Chicken nuggets come in many different varieties and can be seasoned in a number of different ways. You can cook basic chicken nuggets in vegetable oil. For a slightly healthier variety, you can bake chicken nuggets. To add some variety, you can make spicy chicken nuggets.

Ingredients

Fried Chicken Nuggets

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon seasoned salt
Salt and pepper
2 large eggs
2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
2 chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
Vegetable oil

Baked Chicken Nuggets

3 skinless and boneless chicken breasts
1 cup of Italian seasoning bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of dried Thyme
1 tablespoon of dried basil
1/2 cup melted butter

Spicy Chicken Nuggets

10 halved skinned and boneless chicken breasts cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/4 teaspoon dried whole thyme
1/4 teaspoon paprika
Vegetable oil

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making Fried Chicken Nuggets

1
Mix the dry ingredients in a plastic bag. Add your flour and seasoned salt to a large plastic bag. Add a few dashes of salt and pepper. Seal the bag and shake it so the ingredients blend together.^{[1]
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2
Assemble the eggs and breadcrumbs. Beat your eggs with two tablespoons of water. Set the bowl with the eggs aside. Then, add your bread crumbs to a separate bowl.^{[2]
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3
Prepare the chicken pieces. First, place all the chicken pieces in the bag with the flour mixture. Shake the bag until all the pieces are coated in flour.^{[3]
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- Dunk each chicken piece in the egg mixture.
- Then, dip them in the bread mixture. Your chicken pieces should be breaded.
- Always wash your hands after handling raw meat.
4
Fry your chicken nuggets. Using medium-high heat, heat up two inches of vegetable oil. To check if your oil is ready, toss in a few breadcrumbs. If they sizzle slightly, you're ready to cook your chicken nuggets.^{[4]
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- Add the chicken nuggets to the oil. They should be cooked until they're golden brown and there is no pink in the center of the chicken. This takes around 2 minutes per side.
- If necessary, cook your chicken nuggets in batches.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making Baked Chicken Nuggets

1
Cut your chicken breasts. Before you start, you should cut your chicken breasts. Cut them in half and, from there, cut them into 1 and 1/2 inch pieces.^{[5]
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- Remember to wash your hands after handling raw meat. You should also wash any utensils used carefully.
2
Create your breadcrumb mixture. Add the breadcrumbs to a bowl. Then, add your cheese, salt, thyme, and basil. Mix all the ingredients together until they have a uniform texture.^{[6]
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3
Coat your chicken nuggets. Dip your pieces of chicken into the melted butter. Then, dip them into the breadcrumb mixture. Transfer the pieces to a greased oven sheet, keeping them in an even layer.^{[7]
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4
Bake your chicken nuggets. Your chicken nuggets should cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (about 205 degrees Celsius) for 20 minutes. When they're done, remove them from the baking rack and allow them to cool before eating.^{[8]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Spicy Chicken Nuggets

1
Marinate the chicken. To start, place your chicken pieces in a shallow pan. Mix the buttermilk with the eggs. Then, pour this mixture over the chicken to cover it completely.
- Cover your pan.
- Place the pan in the refrigerator. Allow the chicken to marinate for a few hours.
2
Coat the chicken. Mix the flour, salt, pepper, and spices together in a small bowl. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator.
- Drain the buttermilk out of the pan.
- Coat each piece of chicken in the flour mixture.
3
Fry the chicken. Heat your vegetable oil in the largest skillet you have. Check the temperature with a thermometer to make sure it's at least 375 degrees Fahrenheit (about 162 degrees Celsius). Once it's heated, add your pieces of chicken.
- The chicken will need to fry for about 3 minutes on each side.
- When it's done, the chicken will be golden brown.
4
Drain before serving. After cooking your chicken, set them on plates covered in paper towels. This will allow the oils to drain and the chicken to cool a little before you serve it.
5
Finished.

Community Q&A

Question

Can the chicken nuggets be frozen?

Community Answer

After they have been allowed to cool completely, yes.
Question

Can I boil chicken nuggets?

Community Answer

No, the breading would all wash off.
Question

Can I boil the chicken before turning them into nuggets?

Community Answer

You, though the breading may not stick as well and the chicken in the nuggets may end up overcooked and dry. If you do boil, remember to season the water with some salt and herbs or spices for flavor.