Name: Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 boneless chicken breasts cut into cubes; 1 1/2 cups flour ( or use gluten-free flour for allergies); ziplock bag or use a pie plate for the coating mixture; 1 1/2 teaspoons each granulated garlic powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt or more to taste; parchment paper; cooking spray; large deep baking pan; For optional dipping sauces click here; Canola Oil or Vegetable Oil (enough to cover the bottom of the pan for frying around 1 inch.); water, milk, or buttermilk ( around 1 cup just to moisten the chicken); Optional: for a spicy chicken nugget add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of cumin to the flour mixture; Frying Pan, Air Fryer, or Baking Oven cooking methods below in the notes

Chicken nuggets are so easy to make and fun to eat for all ages plus they're so much better for you when you know the wholesome ingredients used.

My mom use to make these nuggets as a child and the chicken bite appetizers since they were little pieces and she served them with a variety of dippings sauces.

The chicken was perfect for after-school snacks or perfect to bring on a picnic lunch in a cooler and eat cold.

These can be baked, fried, or air-fried, and perfect every time with just a light coating of seasoned flour.

Of course, you can cut up boneless chicken breasts in any shape you like, fingers, tenders, medallions they will all work with this marvelous coating.

These chicken nuggets are terrific to reheat in the air fryer in just a few minutes crispy and taste as fresh as the first day you made them!

If you happen to have any leftovers they make a perfect buffalo chicken sandwich or a nice addition to toss in a chicken with pasta dish you like.

Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces or plain, these bites are really delicious any time of the day.

Scroll down and see how easy it is to make our version of homemade "McNuggets: mommy style this is not a copycat recipe, but the kids will love them!

Chicken Nuggets Homemade vs.Fast Food

My family gives this recipe a two-thumbs-up favorite versus a fast-food restaurant.

These chicken nuggets get a major upgrade from the standard variety with just a few quick seasonings plain and simple and all meat is not pressed or processed meat.

Did I mention they freeze well also? Just freeze them on a cookie sheet and freeze them in freezer bags then reheat them in the oven.

Most of the time they just dip these in barbecue sauce or hot sauce.

If you would like a battered chicken try our Tempura coating and for breaded nuggets try our Chicken cutlet coating.

Baked or Air Fry Cooking Methods

Baked: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or oil spray the pan. Cut the chicken into 2-inch cubes. Coat them. Spray them with cooking spray on top. Place in a single form on the baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes flipping once halfway. Use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reads 165 degrees.
Air Fry: Preheat the air fry for 3 minutes at 400 degrees. Cube and coat the chicken. Spray the air fryer basket. Place them in a single form in the basket. Air fry at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees using an instant-read thermometer. Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time.

Chicken Nuggets Step by Step

Cube the boneless chicken
Wet the chicken
Shake in seasoned flour
Heat the oil
Fry
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce

chicken nuggets on checkboard red paper and barbecue sauce

Ingredients You Will Need

chicken breasts boneless cubed
water
flour
seasoning salt
granulated garlic powder
paprika
cooking spray
oil for frying (vegetable or canola)

Tips

For diabetes substitute crushed pork rinds
For flour, allergies substitute almond flour or gluten-free flour
Organic chicken has the best texture
For a thickened batter coating dip in egg first, beaten
Boneless steak, pork, and venison can be substituted for chicken
Cooking Methods: For Baking: Place the chicken on the cookie sheet, drizzle lightly with oil or cooking spray, then bake at 400 degrees in a preheated oven, for 25 minutes.
For Air Frying: Spray the cubes with cooking oil. Place on the basket. Air fry for 10 minutes at 400 degrees or cook until golden browned.

chicken nuggets draining on paper towels

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Copycat Recipes

Chicken Legs and Thighs Cooked in Beer

Chicken with Lemon Pasta

Pin for Later

Easy Little Chicken Bites

These little bundles of crispy chicken bites are sure to please any fried chicken lover young at heart and the kids will go crazy for these.

We love ours dipped in some Jack Daniels barbecue sauce or hot sauce, sometimes blue cheese dressing on the side, and feel free to use your own dipping sauce your family prefers.

If you have to get that quick fix at those fast food places once in a while, no judgment here, but seriously these little chicken nugget bites are so delicious.

You can feel safe knowing what's in your own nuggets and you may never order them out again!

These are so much better than fast food places these days and you can guarantee freshness in your own homemade chicken nuggets in minutes.

One of the best parts of making Mommy-style nuggets are the memories the kids will have and the love that went into making them homemade just for them.