Description
Homemade McDonald’s-style chicken nuggets feature tender, savory minced chicken seasoned with garlic, onion powder, and paprika, wrapped in a crispy, golden batter. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping for the week, these nuggets taste even better than takeout and come together in less than an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
- 500 g chicken breast, cut into chunks
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch, for the chicken mixture
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 60 g all-purpose flour, for dredging
- 125 g all-purpose flour, for the batter
- 30 g cornstarch, for the batter
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 180 g cold water, adjust up to 240 g for batter consistency
- Neutral oil for deep frying, vegetable or canola oil
Instructions
- Process the Chicken: Cut the chicken breast into chunks and pulse in a food processor until finely minced. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
- Season the Mixture: Add the cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the minced chicken. Mix thoroughly until all seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Shape and Freeze: Shape the mixture into bite-sized nuggets roughly 2 inches long. Place on a parchment-lined tray and freeze for 30–45 minutes until firm.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, and salt until combined.
- Create the Batter: Gradually whisk in the cold water, adding it slowly to avoid lumps. You want a smooth, thick batter that coats a spoon but still flows easily.
- Coat in Flour: Working with the frozen nuggets, lightly dust each one in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess.
- Dip in Batter: Dip each floured nugget into the cold batter, turning to coat all sides evenly. Allow any excess batter to drip off.
- Fry the Nuggets: Heat the neutral oil to 175°C (350°F) in a deep skillet. Carefully place nuggets in the hot oil in small batches, avoiding overcrowding. Fry for 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Internal temperature should reach 74°C (165°F).
- Drain and Serve: Remove the nuggets with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack or paper towels. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes