These Homemade Chicken Nuggets are crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and made with simple pantry ingredients. Using ground chicken creates nuggets that are flavorful, easy to shape, and perfect for family dinners, lunchboxes, meal prep, or after-school snacks.
Unlike many store-bought nuggets, these homemade chicken nuggets are made from real ingredients you can recognize. They’re seasoned with garlic, onion, celery salt, and pepper, then lightly coated in flour and fried until golden brown. Serve them with ketchup, honey mustard, ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
Whether you’re feeding picky eaters or looking for a homemade alternative to frozen nuggets, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy golden exterior
- Tender inside
- Made with simple ingredients
- Great for meal prep
- Kid-friendly recipe
- Freezer-friendly
- Perfect for dipping
These nuggets are easy to make and taste much better than many frozen varieties.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground chicken
- Fresh breadcrumbs or white bread
- Milk or cream
- Egg
- Celery salt
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Flour
- Oil for frying
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Measuring spoons
- Shallow bowl for dredging
- Large skillet
- Tongs
- Paper towel-lined plate
- Meat thermometer
Tips for the Best Homemade Chicken Nuggets
- Chill the nuggets before dredging to help them hold their shape.
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized nuggets.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet while frying.
- Maintain oil temperature for even cooking.
- Use a thermometer to ensure the nuggets reach 165°F internally.
- Season the flour for extra flavor.
Favorite Dipping Sauces
These nuggets pair perfectly with:
- Ranch dressing
- Honey mustard
- BBQ sauce
- Ketchup
- Buffalo sauce
- Chick-fil-A style sauce
- Sweet and sour sauce
- Homemade ranch seasoning dip
How to Store Chicken Nuggets
Refrigerator
Store leftover nuggets in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer
Place cooled nuggets on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag and store for up to 3 months.
Reheating Instructions
Air Fryer
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- Refrigerated nuggets: Heat for 3–5 minutes.
- Frozen cooked nuggets: Heat for 6–8 minutes.
- Cook until hot and crispy.
Oven
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Place nuggets on a baking sheet.
- Refrigerated nuggets: Bake 8–10 minutes.
- Frozen cooked nuggets: Bake 12–15 minutes.
- Turn halfway through heating.
Skillet
- Add a small amount of oil to a skillet over medium heat.
- Heat nuggets for 2–3 minutes per side until warmed through.
Microwave
- Heat in 30-second intervals until hot.
- While quick, this method will soften the crispy coating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground chicken?
Yes! Ground turkey works wonderfully as a substitute.
Can I bake these instead of frying?
Absolutely. Bake at 400°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Can I air fry homemade chicken nuggets?
Yes. Air fry at 400°F for about 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through cooking.
Why chill the nuggets before frying?
Chilling helps the nuggets firm up and makes them easier to dredge and fry.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. You can shape and refrigerate the nuggets up to 24 hours before cooking.
Make Ahead Instructions
These homemade chicken nuggets are perfect for making ahead of time.
Refrigerate Before Cooking
- Prepare the chicken mixture and shape into nuggets.
- Place nuggets on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for up to 24 hours before dredging in flour and frying.
Freeze Before Cooking
- Shape the nuggets and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
- Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
To cook from frozen: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, dredge in flour, and fry as directed.
Freeze After Cooking
- Allow cooked nuggets to cool completely.
- Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm.
- Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
More Easy Dinner Recipes You’ll Love
Final Thoughts
These Homemade Chicken Nuggets are crispy, flavorful, and easy to make with simple ingredients. They’re perfect for weeknight dinners, lunchboxes, game-day snacks, or meal prep. Once you try homemade nuggets, you’ll love knowing exactly what’s in them while enjoying a delicious family-friendly meal.
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Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 4 tablespoons fresh breadcrumbs or 1 slice white bread
- 4 tablespoons milk or cream
- 1 large egg lightly whisked
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Flour for dredging
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk. Let sit for a few minutes to soften.
- Add the chicken and egg, along with the celery salt, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Mix thoroughly until everything is well combined.
- Scoop the mixture into small portions, about 1 heaping tablespoon each, onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Gently shape into nugget forms and refrigerate until chilled.
- Place flour in a shallow bowl and season lightly with salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Dredge each nugget in the seasoned flour.
- Fry in batches until golden brown on both sides and fully cooked through 165°F.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
