Easy and Delicious Copycat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Introduction

These easy and delicious chicken nuggets are a perfect homemade copycat of the classic McDonald’s favorite. Crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside, they’re great for a quick snack or a family meal.

Ingredients

• 11 oz chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon paprika (divided)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (divided)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• ½ cup sparkling water
• Salt (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• 4 cups frying oil (such as sunflower oil)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Chop the chicken breasts into a purée using a knife or a blender for faster processing.
2. Step 2: Place the chicken purée in a bowl and add half of the paprika, half of the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
3. Step 3: Shape the mixture into nugget-sized pieces using your hands. Arrange them on a plate and freeze for 15 minutes to help them hold their shape.
4. Step 4: Heat the frying oil in a large pan until it reaches 355°F (180°C). Meanwhile, in a separate bowl, combine the flour, remaining paprika, remaining garlic powder, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
5. Step 5: Dredge each nugget in the dry flour mixture until well coated. Then, add the sparkling water to the flour mixture and stir to create a batter with the consistency of pancake batter. Dip the coated nuggets in this batter.
6. Step 6: Carefully place the battered nuggets into the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or onion powder to the seasoning mix.
• Use sparkling water to create a lighter, crispier batter than still water or milk.
• Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like honey mustard, barbecue, or ranch for variety.

Storage

Store leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until crispy again. Avoid microwaving to keep them crunchy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken instead of fresh?

Fresh chicken is best for this recipe to achieve the right texture, but you can use fully thawed frozen chicken breasts if needed. Just ensure they are completely defrosted and patted dry before chopping.

What oil is best for frying these nuggets?

Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point such as sunflower, canola, or vegetable oil to fry the nuggets safely and evenly.

Easy and Delicious Copycat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 74 reviews

This recipe recreates the iconic McDonald’s chicken nuggets with a crispy, golden exterior and tender, flavorful chicken inside. The nuggets are coated in a seasoned flour batter and deep-fried to perfection, making a delicious homemade fast-food favorite that’s easy to prepare.

• Author: Tim
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: About 12–14 nuggets 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Mix

• 11 oz chicken breasts
• 1/2 tablespoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

Batter and Coating

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 tablespoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup sparkling water

For Frying

• 4 cups frying oil (such as sunflower oil)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Chop the chicken breasts into small pieces or use a blender to purée the chicken until smooth to achieve a tender, uniform texture for the nuggets.
2. Season the Chicken Mix: Transfer the puréed chicken into a bowl and add half the paprika, half the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices throughout the chicken.
3. Form the Nuggets: Using your hands, shape the chicken mixture into small nugget-sized pieces. Place them on a plate and freeze for 15 minutes to help them firm up and hold their shape during frying.
4. Prepare the Oil and Flour Mixture: Heat the frying oil in a large frying pan to 355°F (180°C). In a separate bowl, combine the flour, remaining paprika, remaining garlic powder, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
5. Coat the Nuggets: Dredge each nugget in the dry flour mixture to coat them evenly. Then, add the sparkling water into the flour bowl to create a smooth batter, similar in consistency to pancake batter. Dip the floured nuggets into the batter to fully coat.
6. Fry the Nuggets: Carefully place the batter-coated nuggets into the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove the nuggets and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
7. Serve: Enjoy your homemade crispy chicken nuggets freshly fried and hot.

Notes

• Freezing the shaped nuggets before frying helps maintain their shape and ensures a crisp coating.
• Use sparkling water in the batter to create a lighter, crispier texture.
• Maintain the oil temperature at around 355°F (180°C) for optimal frying results and to avoid greasy nuggets.
• For extra flavor, you can adjust the paprika and garlic powder quantities to your preference.

Keywords: McDonald’s chicken nuggets, copycat recipe, homemade chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, fried chicken nuggets