Homemade Chicken Nuggets

Homemade Chicken Nuggetsis a recipe that people of all ages will delight in. You know exactly what ingredients are going into them, they are more cost-effective, and they are moist and delicious. If your kids like fast food, they will love these chicken nuggets!

This recipe formake-ahead and stash-in-the-freezerchicken nuggets is a total game-changer on the chicken nugget scene. It’s a great dinner option on busy nights or if a babysitter needs to feed the kids while you are on a hot date! So easy and healthy.

For a full make-ahead meal, make aneasy potato saladand ahomemade coleslawalong with getting the nuggets in the freezer during aweekend meal prep session. Now you have a super easy and healthy meal for a busy weeknight!

crispy fried and golden homemade chicken nuggets on a white plate.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Homemade chicken nuggetsmake a great lunch, dinner, or snack. You can also use the leftovers for the lunchbox the next day.
Prepping the nuggets ahead provides an easy, faster-than-fast-food meal, and they arefreezer-friendly, too.
Once your family tastes thesejuicy and flavorfulhomemade nuggets, they’ll never want store-bought or fast-food chicken nuggets again!

Recipe Ingredients

Worcestershire sauce
Boneless, skinless chicken –most people prefer white breast meat, but dark meat from boneless, skinless thighs will also work
All-purpose flour
Onion powder
Granulated garlic –garlic powder can be substituted, but you will need to use less
Eggs
Bread crumbs –make your own or use store-bought regular or Panko breadcrumbs
Vegetable oil –a neutral oil with a high-smoke point is needed for frying the nuggets

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

all ingredients for homemade chicken nuggets in small clear bowls.

How to Make Homemade Chicken Nuggets

raw chicken soaking in a marinade in a clear glass bowl.

Step 1.Cut the meat into nugget-sized pieces and soak in brine 30 minutes. Dry off the meat.

ingredients for homemade chicken nuggets on a blue background - eggs, raw chicken pieces, eggs, flour, breadcrumbs in green bowls.

Step 2.Bread the meat by dipping into flour mixture first, then egg wash, and coating with bread crumbs last.

freshly breaded but raw homemade chicken nuggets waiting to be fried.

Step 3.Set aside nuggets as they’re breaded, and heat the oil in a pan.

pan with oil and top view of cooking nuggets in the pan.

Step 4.Cook the nuggets in batches so they aren’t overcrowded in the pan. Drain on paper towels.

Recipe FAQs

How long do I brine the chicken?

Don’t brine for more than 30 minutes, or the chicken will be too salty.

Are chicken nuggets really that “healthy”?

I’m calling this recipe healthy because it is SO MUCH BETTER for you than traditional store-bought chicken nuggets. Frying isn’t bad, it’s a very traditional cooking method. If vegetable oil isn’t your thing cook them in avocado or coconut oil.

How long can chicken nuggets stay in the freezer?

If properly stored in an airtight freezer bag, they can be kept frozen for 1 month. Do not thaw before reheating.

raw chicken being dipped in egg with the bowl of breading to the left.

Expert Tips

Thoroughly pat drythe brined chicken with a paper towel. This is a crucial step in making the breading coat stick.
Cook the coated chicken in the skillet until golden brown on each side (about 3 minutes per side).
Here are my pro tips to ensure juicy nuggets—cut the chicken intolarger pieces(more chicken finger and less nugget) and soak them in a quick30-minute brine. It adds so much flavor and moisture to the chicken. Even Chick-fil-A brines their chicken!

How to Cook Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer

The air fryer is a great option when making homemade chicken nuggets. Be sure to spread the nuggets out so they aren’t touching and cook evenly. If you go the air fryer route, you will probably need to cook them in batches to make sure they aren’t overcrowded.

What to Serve With Chicken Nuggets

In order to eat chicken nuggets you need a dip! I serve them with ketchup, BBQ sauce,homemade Ranch dressingor fry sauce. Complete this meal by making…

These tasty nuggets also make a fabulous salad addition. Try it on abacon ranch salad, anAsian chicken salad, or achicken bacon ranch pasta salad. All of these can be made ahead and would be perfect to take to a potluck, too!