Description
Delicious homemade crispy chicken nuggets that are perfectly seasoned and fried to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt (Diamond Crystal)
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt (Diamond Crystal)
- 2 cups club soda (very cold)
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Set up your dredging station. Prepare a large sheet tray with parchment paper. Add the cornstarch to a plate or small sheet tray.
- In a large bowl, add the ground chicken, spices, and salt. Use your hands to combine the mixture, making sure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
- Using oiled hands, scoop out a heaping tablespoon of the ground chicken and form it into a chicken nugget shape. Then, coat the nugget in the cornstarch and place it on the sheet tray. Freeze the tray of nuggets for 2 hours or until firm.
- When your nuggets are frozen, prepare the wet batter and heat your frying oil. Fill a large, heavy-bottomed pot halfway with oil and set it over medium heat.
- While the oil heats, whisk together the flour, baking powder, spices, and salt in a medium bowl. Then, pour in the cold club soda and gently fold the mixture with a fork just until combined; the batter should remain slightly lumpy. Don’t overmix; simply break up any large clumps.
- Once the oil has reached 350℉, remove the sheet tray of nuggets from the freezer. Have a paper towel-lined plate or sheet tray ready for draining the oil from the nuggets and a spider or tongs within reach.
- Dip 5 nuggets into the wet batter. Use a fork to lift them out, letting the excess batter drip off a bit, and then place them directly into the oil. Only do a few nuggets at a time to avoid dropping the temperature of the oil. Fry the nuggets for 4-6 minutes, until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Now, remove the nuggets from the oil and let them drain on the prepared plate. Continue frying the remaining nuggets in batches.
- Serve immediately while hot, with your favorite dipping sauces and toppings.
Notes
- For extra crunch, make sure to freeze the nuggets properly before frying.
- Experiment with different spices for a variety of flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5 pieces
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg