Easy and Delicious Copycat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
