Simple Recipes for Every Day
Chicken Nuggets
- Serves: 4
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 3 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 ½ teaspoons paprika
- 4 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 ¼ teaspoons black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1- inch pieces
- 2 quarts vegetable or peanut oil, for frying
- Buttermilk ranch, for serving
- Fry Sauce, for serving
- Ketchup, for serving
Method
In a shallow bowl, stir together 1½ cups of the flour, 3 teaspoons of the garlic powder, 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon of the cayenne, 2 teaspoons of the paprika, 3 teaspoons of the salt, and 1 teaspoon of the black pepper. In a separate shallow bowl, beat the egg with the buttermilk. Whisk in the remaining ¾ cup of the flour, 2 teaspoons of the garlic powder, 1 teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon of the cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon of the salt, ¼ teaspoon of the black pepper and the baking soda to combine.
Season the chicken all over with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt and black pepper to taste. Add the chicken to the buttermilk mixture and toss to coat well.
Set a cooling rack inside a rimmed sheet pan.
Attach a deep-fry thermometer to the side of a large, heavy pot. Add the vegetable oil to the pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil reaches 325°F, working with 6 to 8 pieces at a time, begin removing the chicken from the wet mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Roll it through the dry mixture, pressing to adhere. Carefully add the chicken to the hot oil, and cook, turning halfway through, until deep golden brown and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted metal spoon, transfer the chicken to the cooling rack to cool.
Serve warm with ranch, fry sauce, and ketchup for dipping.