Looking for the perfect snack to pair with drinks, an easy appetizer, or a kid-friendly side dish? Look no further! These homemade chicken nuggets are the ultimate comfort food and a total crowd-pleaser. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients for Homemade Chicken Nuggets:
- 1.5 lbs (approx. 700g) chicken breast fillets;
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley and scallions, finely chopped;
- 1 small onion, finely diced;
- 2 cloves garlic, minced;
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour;
- Mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes (as desired);
- Salt to taste;
- Black pepper to taste;
- 1 large egg, beaten;
- Breadcrumbs for coating;
- Vegetable oil for frying.
How to make homemade chicken nuggets:
- Pulse the chicken in a food processor or blender until finely ground.
- Transfer the ground chicken to a mixing bowl and add the garlic, onion, parsley, scallions, salt, and black pepper. Mix well.
- Gradually add the flour, kneading with your hands until the mixture forms a firm and slightly moist dough.
- Take small portions of the dough and shape them into balls.
- Gently press your thumb into the center to create a small hole, place a cube of mozzarella inside, and fold the dough to seal it completely.
- Dip each nugget into the beaten egg, then roll it in breadcrumbs until evenly coated.
- For a firmer texture, place the nuggets in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes before cooking.
- Fry the nuggets in hot oil until golden brown.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Pro Tips:
Feel free to experiment with fillings like ham, mild provolone, or cheddar, or simply skip the cheese for classic plain nuggets. For a healthier twist, you can bake these in the oven or air fryer instead of frying. You can also make a large batch and freeze them (make sure they aren’t touching each other); they will keep for up to 3 months, ready to fry whenever a craving strikes!
Did you know?
The chicken nugget was invented in the 1950s by Robert C. Baker, a food scientist and professor at Cornell University. He published his work as an unpatented academic paper. Baker’s innovations made it possible for nuggets to be molded into any shape and simplified mass production.
In 1979, McDonald’s commissioned a special recipe from Tyson Foods, and the nuggets were officially introduced to their menu in 1980 (Source: Wikipedia).
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