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Skip the drive-thru—these homemade chicken nuggets are crispier, tastier, and way more satisfying! Made with simple ingredients you probably already have, they come out golden brown and have an oh-so-perfect panko crunch! Whether you bake them or air fry them, they’re a total win for busy weeknights or fun family meals. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, but honestly, they’re so good you might just eat them straight off the tray! Give these a try, and you’ll never go back to store-bought again.
Craving a delectable crunchy lunch or dinner? Try easy homemade chicken nuggets. Golden brown, perfectly crispy and delicious, they’re a no-fuss hit for all the family.
If you enjoy these chicken nuggets, you can also try buffalo chicken tenders, chipotle chicken wings, and these bacon-wrapped cheeseburger bites.
Why You’ll Love It
Easy to make: This is a simple recipe – you simply coat the chicken, shape it into disks and air fry to crispy, golden brown perfection! And they take just a few minutes to cook.
Tastes so good: These chicken nuggets are delicious – they’re really flavorful and that crunch is amazing!
Family-friendly: Everyone is going to love these, especially the kids! You’ll be asked to make these often.
Healthier than deep fried: Instead of deep frying the nuggets in oil, you’re air frying them – so, less fat and fewer calories but the same amazing flavor!
Homemade Nuggets Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Ground chicken: Most major stores sell ground chicken in the poultry section. In a pinch, you can use ground turkey or canned chicken instead. Or grind up your own boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs give your chicken nuggets more crunch, but traditional breadcrumbs would also work.
Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper adds all the flavor you need.
Flour: To coat the chicken nuggets.
How to Make Chicken Nuggets with Ground Chicken
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare the chicken mixture: Combine the ground chicken with cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Shape the mixture into 12 disk shapes.
Coat the nuggets: Dip the chicken disks into flour and then into eggs and finally into panko bread crumbs.
Cook them: Air fry the chicken nuggets until golden brown and cooked through. Serve hot.
Substitutions and Variations
Gluten-free option: If you want a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and gluten-free panko.
Breadcrumbs: I used unseasoned breadcrumbs, but you can use Italian ones if that’s what you have on hand.
Spice them up: Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the ground chicken mixture.
Different seasonings: Smoked paprika would be good with these, or a pinch of Cajun seasoning.
Serving Suggestions
As an appetizer: Enjoy these chicken nuggets with homemade marinara sauce, honey mustard, BBQ sauce or spicy mayo. In fact, any of your favorite dipping sauces would work.
As a snack: If you’re having a late morning or afternoon latte, grab a couple of nuggets too!
For the main course: Serve them with French fries, air fryer potato wedges, onion rings and baked beans.
How to Store Air Fryer Nuggets
Store: You can store your chicken nuggets in an airtight container or Ziploc bag in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze: You can freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Thaw: Defrost them in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat: I recommend reheating your chicken nuggets in the air fryer for 5 minutes at 380°F or until piping hot.
Top Tips
Preheat the air fryer: Preheating your air fryer is going to ensure your chicken nuggets cook evenly on both sides. I like to spritz it with olive oil spray or any kind of cooking spray too, so the nuggets don’t stick.
You choose the size: These chicken nuggets are a little bigger than store-bought chicken nuggets. You can stretch the mixture out and make 18 smaller chicken nuggets if you prefer.
Don’t overcook: Once these are golden brown, they’re done. Overcooking them will make them dry out inside. If you’re not sure whether they’re done, cut one in half and check it’s piping hot in the center. If so, it’s time to serve them up.
Homemade Ground Chicken Nuggets FAQs
Sure! In fact, if you can’t find ground chicken at the store, grinding up your own chicken pieces is a great idea.
I like to ladle tomato sauce on top and then plenty of shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese. You could add spicy mayonnaise and sliced pickles for a different result or even enjoy them on top of your favorite salad. Get creative when making homemade chicken nuggets!
Oven or Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Equipment
- Air Fryer or Oven
Ingredients
- 1 Pound ground chicken
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- ½ Teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Teaspoon onion powder
- 1 Teaspoon salt
- 1 Teaspoon black pepper
- ½ Cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, large
- 1 Cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 380°F.
- Add your chicken, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to a mixing bowl. Use a fork or your hands to work the spices into the chicken.
- Divide the chicken into 12 pieces and use your hands to shape each piece into an oval and flatten them slightly into discs.
- Dip each piece of chicken in the flour, ensuring the chicken is completely covered in flour.
- Beat the eggs and then dip each piece of chicken in the eggs followed by the panko bread crumbs.
- Fill your air fryer basket with chicken nuggets. Cook your chicken nuggets for 6 minutes per side.
Notes
You choose the size: These chicken nuggets are a little bigger than store-bought chicken nuggets. You can stretch the mixture out and make 18 smaller chicken nuggets if you prefer.
Don’t overcook: Once these are golden brown, they’re done. Overcooking them will make them dry out inside. If you’re not sure whether they’re done, cut one in half and check it’s piping hot in the center. If so, it’s time to serve them up.
Nutrition
This chicken nugget recipe is so good and really easy to make too. Once you see these golden brown, crispy chicken nuggets in your air fryer basket looking so appealing, you will want to eat them as soon as possible! Your kitchen will smell incredible while these air fry and the kids are going to love them just as much as (or even more than) store-bought nuggets.
Other Recipes to Try
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
These turned out absolutely perfect! The crispy panko coating makes them way better than anything from a drive-thru.
These nuggets are next-level crispy. My family devoured them in minutes!