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Crispy Chicken Nuggets with Honey Dip

A pile of golden brown, crispy chicken nuggets served with a small bowl of sweet and spicy honey dip.
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Make restaurant-quality crispy chicken nuggets at home using a three-step breading process. This recipe includes instructions for deep frying, air frying, and oven baking, paired with a simple sweet and tangy honey dipping sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch (for the flour mix)
  • Oil for frying (or cooking spray for air fryer/oven)
  • For the Honey Dip:
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Place chicken pieces in a bowl. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Set up the breading station: In the first shallow dish, combine flour, cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and paprika. In the second dish, whisk the eggs and milk. In the third dish, place the Panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Dredge the chicken: Take one piece of chicken and coat it thoroughly in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip it into the egg wash, letting excess drip off. Finally, press the chicken firmly into the Panko breadcrumbs to coat completely. Repeat for all pieces.
  4. Cook the nuggets (Choose one method):
  5. Deep Fry: Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry nuggets in batches for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Drain on a wire rack.
  6. Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Lightly spray the breaded nuggets with cooking spray. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
  7. Oven Bake: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place nuggets on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Lightly spray with oil. Bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
  8. Make the Honey Dip: While the nuggets cook, whisk together the honey, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and hot sauce (if using) in a small bowl until smooth.
  9. Serve the crispy chicken nuggets immediately with the homemade honey dip.

Notes

  • For extra moisture, you can soak the chicken pieces in buttermilk for 30 minutes before starting the breading process.
  • The double-dredging technique (flour, egg, Panko) creates the best crispy crust. Press the Panko firmly onto the chicken.
  • Use a thermometer to maintain the correct oil temperature for the best frying results.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://tastytipster.com/crispy-chicken-nuggets-with-honey-dip-recipe/