Homemade chicken nuggets recipe

These homemade chicken nuggets are the perfect meal to make as a school holiday treat for the kids. 

You might never have thought to make your own chicken nuggets but it's not difficult to do and the results are really satisfying. You will know exactly what cuts of chicken have gone into them, and what other ingredients. These little chicken bites have a really light and crisp batter, which makes biting into each one an absolute pleasure. You can flavour the batter with extra herbs or spices if you like, to make them taste more like your favourite fast food versions. You will need to deep dry these nuggets, which is easiest if you have a deep fat fryer, but otherwise you can use a saucepan. Serve with chips, of course, and ketchup for dipping, or see out tip below for an easy, spicy sauce.

Ingredients

• 75g plain flour
• 1 medium egg, beaten 
• 100ml skimmed milk
• ½ tsp onion salt 
• 500g boneless skinless chicken breast
• Salt and ground white pepper
• Vegetable oil for deep frying

Method

1. Sift 50g flour into a bowl and make a well in the centre. Add the egg and gradually blend in the milk to form a smooth batter (opens in new tab). Season with the onion salt.
2. Cut the chicken into 3-4cm pieces and put in a bowl. Sift the remaining flour and some seasoning on top, and mix well until the chicken is dusted all over. Heat the oil in a deep fat fryer or a large saucepan to 180°C (365°F).
3. Pour the batter over the floured chicken and mix gently so that all the pieces are covered. Using tongs, lower 6 or 7 pieces of chicken into the hot oil and cook, turning occasionally, for about 7 mins until golden all over and cooked through. Drain on kitchen paper and keep warm whilst cooking the other pieces. Serve as soon as possible after frying accompanied with homemade chips (opens in new tab) and salad if liked.

Top tip for making homemade chicken nuggets

Make a dip for your nuggets by mixing together mayonnaise with spicy sriracha sauce.

If you like a 'kick' with your chicken, add 1 tsp hot chilli powder to the batter, or try 2 tsp mild curry powder for a light Indian-spiced flavour.

Are homemade chicken nuggets healthier?

Yes. Mass produced chicken nuggets can contain very high proportions of salt and preservatives, and are often cooked in hydrogenated fat. Cooking your own at home gives you much more control over the quality and type of ingredients you. These nuggets are still deep fried however, so they're a treat rather than an everyday meal.

Why aren't my chicken nuggets crispy?

The heat of the oil was too low. This means you have to keep the nuggets in for longer, and they soak up too much oil and become heavy and dense. Don't have the oil too hot though, or the chicken won't cook quickly enough for the batter. Use an oil thermometer to make sure you have the right temperature.

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