Chicken Nuggets

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast (rough cut)
• 2 tsp salt (for the chicken mix)
• 0.5 tsp white pepper (for the chicken mix)
• 2 tbsp cornstarch (for the chicken mix)
• cornstarch (for dredging)
• vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1 cup all purpose flour (for the batter)
• 0.25 cup cornstarch (for the batter)
• 0.5 tsp paprika (for the batter)
• 0.5 tsp salt (for the batter)
• 0.25 tsp white pepper (for the batter)
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder (for the batter)
• 1 can club soda (355 ml, chilled)

Steps

1. 1

   Roughly cut 1 lb of chicken breasts into chunks.

2. 2

   Place the chicken chunks into a food processor with 2 teaspoons of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of white pepper, and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.

3. 3

   Process the mixture until it starts rolling around like a meatball and forms a cohesive paste.

4. 4

   Portion the chicken mixture into small nuggets using a falafel scoop or spoon.

5. 5

   Flatten the nuggets slightly and roll them in cornstarch to coat.

6. 6

   Place the coated nuggets in the freezer for about 30 minutes to help them set up.

7. 7

   In a large pot or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).

8. 8

   In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup all purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.

9. 9

   Gradually whisk in the full can (355 ml) of club soda until the mixture reaches a runny consistency similar to pancake batter.

10. 10

    Remove nuggets from the freezer. Dip each nugget into the wet batter, ensuring it is fully coated.

11. 11

    Fry the nuggets in small batches (4-5 at a time) for about 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F (71°C).

12. 12

    Drain on a wire rack or paper towels and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

The author recommends avoiding onion powder or too much garlic powder in the chicken meat itself as it can dominate the flavor; keep the seasonings in the batter for balance. Freezing the nuggets for 30 minutes is a critical step for maintaining their shape during the battering process.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• chicken
• fried
• kid-friendly
• snack
• homemade
• nuggets