Are you tired of the same old boring chicken nugget recipe? Look no further! In this article, we’ll be exploring 20 different and delicious ways to make crispy chicken McNuggets that will satisfy your cravings. From classic flavors like buttermilk fried and buffalo ranch, to more adventurous options like Korean gochujang and Cajun-spiced, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Whether you’re a fan of sweet and sour or savory and spicy, we’ve got you covered with a variety of recipes that are sure to impress. And the best part? These nuggets aren’t just limited to traditional dippings like ketchup and mustard – think beyond the bun and try new pairings like garlic aioli and remoulade.
So grab your apron, preheat your oven or air fryer, and get ready to take your chicken game to the next level. In this article, we’ll be sharing all 20 recipes, along with tips and tricks for achieving that perfect crispy coating.
Homemade Baked Chicken McNuggets
Satisfy your cravings with this simple and healthier alternative to the original fast food favorite. These baked chicken nuggets are tender, juicy, and packed with flavor.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 egg
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a shallow dish, mix together flour, panko breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg and olive oil.
4. Dip chicken pieces into the egg mixture, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
5. Place coated chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Drizzle with paprika and season with salt and pepper.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Spicy Sriracha Honey Chicken McNuggets
Elevate your snacking game with this sweet and spicy twist on classic chicken nuggets.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders, cut into small pieces
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 egg
– 1/4 cup Sriracha sauce
– 2 tablespoons honey
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. In a shallow dish, mix together flour, garlic powder, and paprika.
2. Dip chicken pieces in the egg, then coat in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together Sriracha sauce and honey until smooth.
4. Dip floured chicken pieces in the Sriracha-honey mixture, making sure they’re fully coated.
5. Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
6. Fry chicken nuggets for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through, flipping halfway.
7. Remove from oil and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Air Fryer Chicken McNuggets with Garlic Aioli
Elevate your snacking game with this simple recipe that brings the classic Chicken McNugget flavor to life in your air fryer!
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders, cut into bite-sized pieces
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 2 eggs
– 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
– Vegetable oil for brushing
– Garlic Aioli (see below)
Garlic Aioli:
– 1/2 cup mayonnaise
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
2. In a bowl, mix together flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Dip chicken pieces in eggs, then coat with flour mixture, shaking off excess.
4. Air fry chicken for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through and crispy.
5. Brush with vegetable oil and serve with Garlic Aioli (mix all ingredients together in a bowl).
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Buttermilk Fried Chicken McNuggets
Elevate your snack game with this creative take on fried chicken, featuring tender nuggets coated in crispy buttermilk goodness. Perfect for a quick bite or party appetizer!
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders
– 1 cup buttermilk
– 1 tablespoon hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
– 1/4 teaspoon paprika
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– Vegetable oil for frying
– Panko breadcrumbs
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
2. Add chicken pieces to the marinade, covering completely. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
3. Preheat frying oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
4. Remove chicken from buttermilk mixture, allowing excess to drip off.
5. Dredge chicken pieces in Panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
6. Fry nuggets in batches for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown, flipping halfway through.
7. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Panko-Crusted Chicken McNuggets with Sweet Chili Sauce
Elevate your snack game with this creative twist on classic chicken nuggets. Crunchy Panko breadcrumbs and sweet chili sauce take these bite-sized morsels to the next level!
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small nugget-sized pieces
– 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 egg, beaten
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– Sweet Chili Sauce (store-bought or homemade)
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a shallow dish, mix together Panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
3. Dip each chicken piece into beaten egg and then coat in breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
4. Place coated nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
6. Serve hot with Sweet Chili Sauce for dipping. Enjoy!
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Buffalo Ranch Chicken McNuggets
Elevate your snack game with this spicy and savory twist on classic chicken nuggets. These Buffalo Ranch Chicken McNuggets are a perfect combination of juicy chicken, creamy ranch dressing, and bold buffalo sauce.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 cup buttermilk
– Vegetable oil for frying
– Buffalo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
– Ranch dressing (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions:
1. In a shallow dish, mix together flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Pour buttermilk into a separate shallow dish.
3. Dip each chicken piece into the buttermilk, then coat in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
4. Heat about 1/2-inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Fry the coated chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through (about 5-6 minutes).
6. Remove from oil and toss with Buffalo sauce and ranch dressing.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Gluten-Free Chicken McNuggets with Honey Mustard
Get ready to enjoy a tasty twist on the classic fast food favorite, now made gluten-free and with a sweet and tangy honey mustard dipping sauce!
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders
– 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 2 eggs
– Honey mustard dipping sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oil in a deep frying pan to 350°F.
2. In a shallow dish, mix together gluten-free flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
3. Dip each chicken piece into the egg mixture, then coat with the gluten-free flour mixture.
4. Fry coated chicken pieces for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Drain on paper towels and serve hot with honey mustard dipping sauce.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
BBQ Bacon-Wrapped Chicken McNuggets
Elevate your snack game with this unique twist on classic chicken nuggets – crispy, savory, and utterly addictive!
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized nugget pieces
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 2 teaspoons paprika
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 1/4 cup buttermilk
– Vegetable oil for frying
– 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
– BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)
– Optional: ranch dressing or blue cheese dressing for dipping
Instructions:
1. In a shallow dish, mix together flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Dip each chicken piece into the buttermilk, then coat in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
3. Heat about 1/2-inch of vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry nuggets for 5-6 minutes or until cooked through.
4. Meanwhile, wrap each fried nugget with a piece of crumbled bacon.
5. Serve hot and drizzle with BBQ sauce. Enjoy!
Cooking Time: About 10-12 minutes total (frying time: 5-6 minutes per batch)
Lemon Pepper Chicken McNuggets with Yogurt Dip
Elevate your snack game with this tangy and savory twist on classic chicken nuggets. This recipe combines the crunch of lemon pepper seasonings with the creaminess of a yogurt dip.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 egg
– 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
– Vegetable oil for frying
– Yogurt dip ingredients: 1 cup plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix together flour, lemon pepper seasoning, paprika, and garlic powder.
3. Dip each chicken piece into the egg and then coat with the panko breadcrumbs mixture.
4. Place coated chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Drizzle with vegetable oil and bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
6. For the yogurt dip, mix all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Teriyaki Glazed Chicken McNuggets
Elevate your snack game with this sweet and savory twist on the classic chicken nugget. By drizzling teriyaki glaze over crispy chicken, you’ll create a flavorful treat that’s sure to please.
Ingredients:
– 1 package of Chicken McNuggets
– 1/4 cup Teriyaki sauce
– 2 tablespoons honey
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
– 1 teaspoon grated ginger
– Sesame seeds and chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
3. Place the Chicken McNuggets on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together Teriyaki sauce, honey, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and grated ginger.
5. Drizzle the glaze over the chicken nuggets, making sure they’re evenly coated.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cooked through.
7. Garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions (if using). Serve hot and enjoy!
Cooking Time: 12-15 minutes
Cheesy Stuffed Chicken McNuggets
Get ready to elevate your chicken nugget game with this indulgent twist! This recipe combines juicy chicken, crispy breading, and a gooey cheese filling that will leave you wanting more.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
– 1/4 cup mayonnaise
– 1 egg, beaten
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a shallow dish, mix together flour, panko breadcrumbs, and grated cheese.
3. Dip each chicken breast into the beaten egg, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
4. Stuff each nugget with about 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise.
5. Place the stuffed nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Drizzle with a little vegetable oil and season with salt and pepper.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through.
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Enjoy your crispy, cheesy, and utterly delicious Chicken McNuggets!
Korean Gochujang Chicken McNuggets
Elevate the humble McNugget by infusing it with the bold, sweet, and spicy flavors of gochujang, a popular Korean chili paste. This recipe adds an exciting twist to the classic chicken nugget.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small nugget-sized pieces
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/2 teaspoon paprika
– 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 egg
– 1 tablespoon gochujang paste
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– 1 tablespoon honey
– Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, mix together flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
2. Dip chicken pieces into the flour mixture, then into the beaten egg, and finally coat with gochujang-soy-honey mixture (mix equal parts gochujang paste, soy sauce, and honey).
3. Fry coated chicken nuggets in hot vegetable oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Garlic Parmesan Chicken McNuggets
Elevate your snack game with this addictive twist on classic chicken nuggets!
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
– 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 egg
– Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. In a shallow dish, mix together flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
2. Dip each chicken piece in the flour mixture, then dip in beaten egg, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese and minced garlic.
3. Heat about 1/2-inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry coated nuggets for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Sweet and Sour Chicken McNuggets
Transform your favorite fast food into a sweet and tangy treat at home! This recipe is a fun twist on the classic McDonald’s McNuggets.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 cup sweet and sour sauce (homemade or store-bought)
– Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. In a shallow dish, mix together flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Dip each chicken piece into the flour mixture, then dip in beaten eggs, and finally coat with additional flour.
3. Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry coated chicken for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through.
4. Remove from oil and place on paper towels to drain excess grease.
5. In a separate saucepan, heat sweet and sour sauce over low heat until warmed through.
6. Toss fried McNuggets in the warm sweet and sour sauce until fully coated.
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes (including frying time)
Enjoy your sweet and tangy Sweet and Sour Chicken McNuggets!
Maple Dijon Chicken McNuggets
Elevate the classic chicken nugget with a sweet and tangy twist by combining the flavors of maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and crispy breadcrumbs.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
– 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
– 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
– 1 egg
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a shallow dish, mix together flour, panko breadcrumbs, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together maple syrup and Dijon mustard.
4. Dip each chicken piece into the egg, then coat in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
5. Place coated chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Drizzle the maple-Dijon glaze over the chicken, making sure they’re evenly coated.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown.
Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes
Cajun-Spiced Chicken McNuggets with Remoulade
Elevate the humble McNugget with this bold and flavorful recipe that combines the spicy kick of Cajun seasoning with the tangy zip of remoulade sauce.
Ingredients:
– 1 package chicken McNuggets
– 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1/4 cup remoulade sauce (store-bought or homemade)
– Optional: paprika, chopped scallions, and diced jalapeños for garnish
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix together Cajun seasoning and olive oil.
3. Toss chicken McNuggets with the Cajun-spiced oil until evenly coated.
4. Place McNuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until cooked through.
6. Serve hot with remoulade sauce for dipping.
Cooking Time: 12-15 minutes
Herb-Crusted Chicken McNuggets with Tzatziki
Elevate your snack game with this innovative twist on classic chicken nuggets! This recipe combines the crispy, savory goodness of McNuggets with the cool, creamy freshness of tzatziki sauce and a hint of herbs.
Ingredients:
– 1 package of Chicken McNuggets
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
– 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup tzatziki sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic, parsley, dill, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Dip each McNugget into the herb mixture, coating evenly.
4. Place coated McNuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cooked through.
6. Serve hot with tzatziki sauce for dipping.
Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes
Smoky Paprika Chicken McNuggets
Transform classic chicken nuggets into a smoky, savory treat with this simple recipe. A hint of paprika adds depth and complexity to these crispy, juicy bites.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
– 1 cup buttermilk
– Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
1. In a shallow dish, mix together flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Pour buttermilk into a separate shallow dish.
3. Dip each chicken piece into the buttermilk, then coat in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
4. Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry nuggets for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Asian Zing Chicken McNuggets
Elevate your snack game with this innovative twist on classic chicken nuggets, infusing the flavors of Asia into every bite. This recipe is a perfect blend of sweet and savory, sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/4 cup cornstarch
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 2 tablespoons honey
– 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
– 1 tablespoon sesame oil
– 1 teaspoon grated ginger
– 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, mix together flour, cornstarch, soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and red pepper flakes (if using).
2. Dip chicken pieces into the mixture, coating evenly.
3. Heat about 1/2-inch of vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat.
4. Fry coated chicken for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
Cooking Time: Approximately 15-20 minutes
Peanut-Crusted Chicken McNuggets with Spicy Mayo
Elevate your chicken game with these crunchy, nutty bites and a kick of spicy mayo.
Ingredients:
– 1 lb chicken breast or tenders, cut into bite-sized pieces
– 1 cup creamy peanut butter
– 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
– 1 tsp garlic powder
– Salt, to taste
– Vegetable oil, for frying
– Spicy Mayo (see below)
Spicy Mayo:
– 1/2 cup mayonnaise
– 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
– 1 tsp soy sauce
Instructions:
1. In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter and panko breadcrumbs until well combined.
2. Add garlic powder and salt; stir to combine.
3. Dip each chicken piece into the peanut mixture, coating evenly.
4. Heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry coated chicken for 5-6 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Drain excess oil on paper towels. Serve with Spicy Mayo (mix all ingredients together).
Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
Summary
Get ready to take your chicken game to the next level! This article shares 20 mouth-watering recipes for crispy chicken McNuggets that are sure to satisfy your cravings. From classic flavors like buttermilk and buffalo ranch, to more adventurous options like Korean gochujang and Cajun-spiced, there’s something for everyone. With a variety of cooking methods, including baking, air frying, and deep-frying, you can easily make these delicious McNuggets at home. Whether you’re in the mood for sweet and sour or smoky paprika, this article has got you covered!