Description
This Homemade Chicken Nuggets recipe creates tender, juicy nuggets with a crispy golden crust using fresh chicken breast blended with potato, onion, and aromatic seasonings. Pan-fried to perfection, these nuggets are a healthier alternative to store-bought varieties and perfect for a family-friendly meal or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts (about 2 pounds), cut into pieces
- 1 yellow potato (about 4 ounces), peeled and roughly chopped
- ½ white onion (about 2 ounces), roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
Binding & Seasoning
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
- 1½ teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, plus more as needed for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken Mixture: In a food processor, combine the chicken breast pieces, chopped potato, onion, and garlic. Blend until completely smooth with no large chunks. Scrape down the sides of the processor as needed to ensure an even texture.
- Add Seasonings and Binders: Add the cornstarch, all-purpose flour, dried parsley, salt, black pepper, and paprika powder to the food processor. Pulse a few times until all ingredients are fully incorporated into the meat mixture.
- Shape the Nuggets: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Using a 1-inch cookie scoop or spoon, portion out 10–12 balls of the chicken mixture and place them in the pan. Spray the back of a spoon lightly with nonstick spray, then gently flatten each ball into a classic nugget shape.
- Cook the Nuggets: Let the nuggets cook undisturbed for 2–3 minutes to form a golden crust on the bottom. Flip each nugget and cook for another 2–3 minutes on the other side until fully cooked and crisp. Add more olive oil as needed between batches.
- Repeat and Serve: Continue cooking the remaining nuggets in batches, adding oil as necessary. Serve the warm chicken nuggets immediately, optionally garnished with freshly minced parsley and accompanied by ketchup or your preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
- Make sure to fully cook the chicken nuggets to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
- Using potato in the mixture helps keep the nuggets moist and tender.
- Nonstick spray on the spoon prevents sticking while shaping the nuggets.
- You can customize the seasoning by adding garlic powder or cayenne pepper for extra flavor or heat.
- Leftover nuggets can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in a skillet or oven to retain crispiness.
