Making homemade chicken nuggets is a fun and tasty way to enjoy this classic comfort food. Here’s a simple recipe:
### Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (Panko for extra crunch)
- Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
### Instructions
#### Prepare the Chicken
1. **Cut Chicken**: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, about 1 to 1.5 inches in size.
#### Prepare the Breading Stations
2. **Season Flour**: In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. **Beat Eggs**: In another bowl, beat the eggs.
4. **Prepare Breadcrumbs**: Place the breadcrumbs in a third bowl.
#### Bread the Chicken
5. **Coat in Flour**: Dredge each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.
6. **Dip in Egg**: Dip the floured chicken pieces into the beaten eggs, ensuring they are well coated.
7. **Coat in Breadcrumbs**: Roll the egg-coated chicken pieces in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
#### Fry the Chicken
8. **Heat Oil**: In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat about 1 inch of oil to 350°F (175°C).
9. **Fry Nuggets**: Fry the chicken nuggets in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
10. **Drain**: Remove the nuggets with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
#### Serving
11. **Serve Hot**: Serve the chicken nuggets hot with your favorite dipping sauces such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch.
### Tips
- **Baking Option**: For a healthier alternative, you can bake the nuggets. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), place the breaded nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway.
- **Air Fryer Option**: You can also cook the nuggets in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
