Updated on September 24th, 2025
Chicken nuggets are always a hit, whether you serve them as a snack, lunch, or part of dinner. These homemade nuggets are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and easy to season to your taste. You can make them with just a few simple ingredients, then choose to deep fry for quick results or bake for a lighter option. They’re kid-friendly, customizable, and best served with your favorite dipping sauce.
Why this recipe works
- Crispy coating: Rolling the chicken in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs creates a golden crust that holds in moisture and adds the right amount of crunch.
- Kid appeal: Homemade chicken nuggets use real chicken breast and simple seasonings, making them a family favorite that even picky eaters enjoy.
- Custom seasoning: You can easily adjust the flavor by adding cayenne, chili powder, or herbs to the coating to match your personal taste.
- Cooking options: This recipe works for both deep frying and baking, giving you flexibility depending on your kitchen tools and time.
- Better than store-bought: Using fresh ingredients ensures the nuggets are flavorful, tender, and free from unnecessary additives, making them a healthier option.
Serving suggestions
- Snack time: Serve chicken nuggets hot with ketchup, ranch, or honey mustard for a quick and satisfying bite between meals.
- Kid’s meal: Pair nuggets with fries and fruit for a balanced meal that kids love and parents can prepare quickly.
- Family dinner: Add chicken nuggets to the table with mashed potatoes and vegetables for a fun twist on classic comfort food.
- Party platter: Place nuggets on a tray with a variety of dipping sauces to serve as finger food at gatherings or game nights.
- Lunch box: Pack leftover nuggets in a lunch container with sauce on the side for an easy and portable school or work meal.
Chicken nuggets recipe
Homemade chicken nuggets are a quick, family-friendly recipe. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they’re perfect for lunch, dinner, or snacks.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 1” chunks)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup dry Italian breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter (melted, if baking in the oven)
- Oil (if deep frying)
Instructions
- On a plate combine flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a small bowl beat egg and milk. On another plate combine bread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
- Coat chicken strips first in the flour mixture, then dip in the egg mixture and then roll in the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat until all strips are coated.
- If deep frying – Heat deep fryer to 360 degrees and deep fry chicken nuggets in batches for 6 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- If baking in the oven – Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken strips on a baking sheet and drizzle with melted butter. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until strips are no longer pink inside.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 302
- Sugar: 1.7 g
- Sodium: 341.2 mg
- Fat: 11.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 16.8 g
- Protein: 30.7 g
- Cholesterol: 138.1 mg