This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclosure.
McDonald's Chicken Nuggets Recipe is the best mom hack! When you don't want to spend money or leave the house to sit through the drive thru, cook these and no one will know the difference! Plus you'll love knowing what goes into your food, especially when it comes to your kids!
Jump to:
Check out my Instant Pot Ramen Stir Fry Noodles and my Air Fryer Pizza for more kid friendly recipes!
I love to make this McDonald's chicken McNuggets recipe because it's so quick and easy. Juicy, salty, crispy, flavorful, and a HUGE hit with kids and adults. Ditch the fast food and try this homemade copycat version.
Keep the whole family happy with this super easy recipe. Pair the nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy, homemade chicken nuggets are a hit with kids and adults alike.
- A homemade recipe to enjoy the famous McDonald's taste right from your own kitchen!
- Truly a copycat recipe, you get perfect McDonald's nuggets every time with a crispy golden crust and soft tender chicken inside.
- The nuggets are not full of fast food preservatives, but with the same great taste!
- They’re high in protein, easy to make, and a favorite weeknight dinner option!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground Chicken: You can grind boneless, skinless chicken breast in a food processor if needed.
- Eggs: Helps the breading to adhere to the chicken.
- Spices (kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, pepper): All enhance flavor and give these nuggets their amazing flavor.
- Cornstarch: This makes the nuggets crispier with a lighter coating.
- Water: Helps the breading to adhere to the chicken.
- All-Purpose Flour: The flour adds flavor to the meat
- Oil: I recommend either canola oil or vegetable oil.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1:
In a food processor or mixer, blend the chicken, 1 egg and salt until chicken resembles a paste.
Step 2:
Form the chicken into tablespoon sized nuggets. Dredge the nuggets in cornstarch to fully coat. Set aside.
Step 3:
In a mixing bowl, mix the flour, seasonings, egg and water. Mix well until a smooth batter form.
Step 4:
Place a nugget on a fork to dip into the batter. Let excess batter drip off.
Step 5:
In a saucepan or deep skillet, bring oil to 350 degrees F and place battered nuggets into fry. Fry for 3 minutes until nuggets are floating and remove to a paper towel to let rest.
Step 6:
Return nuggets to oil for 2 more minutes to double fry.
Step 7:
Allow nuggets to cool before eating. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce!
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- You can make your own ground chicken by placing chopped up chicken breasts in a food processor and pulsing to the right consistency.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the pan when frying. I cook the chicken in several batches.
- I use canola oil for frying, but vegetable and other oils will work too.
- The best chicken nuggets are crispy, so be sure to press the breading into each nugget piece all the way around to be sure the breading sticks.
- Save time by doubling or tripling this recipe, so you have plenty of extra nuggets to stick in the freezer for future meals.
Variations
- Add a bit of cayenne pepper to the spice mix, if you like a little heat!
- Mix of the seasonings by adding Cajun seasoning, ranch seasoning, Italian seasonings, etc.
- Serve the nuggets with an array of dipping sauces!
- Try baking or air frying the nuggets for a healthier twist.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Place cooled nuggets in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for about 4 days. Reheat under the broiler until warm and crisp.
Freezing: Let the chicken nuggets cool completely before transferring them to a cookie sheet. Freeze them in a single layer on the cookie sheet to ensure that they don’t stick together, then transfer the frozen chicken nuggets to a freezer safe zip top bag or container. Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Reheat them in the oven so that they’re nice and crispy.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes! Once breaded, place the nuggets on a wire rack over a foil-lined baking sheet. Spray with olive oil spray and bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes. Flip, spray and cook an additional 8 minutes. Broil for a few additional minutes to brown nuggets.
Yes! Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray the basket with cooking spray. Arrange the nuggets in a single layer in the basket. Spray the top of the nuggets with olive oil. Cook for about 7 minutes. Repeat for remaining nuggets.
Yes! These make a great freezer meal prep idea. Place uncooked frozen nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet. Flash freeze and transfer to a freezer safe container. Freeze for 1-2 months. To bake, place frozen nuggets on a baking sheet with a wire rack. Bake at 400 degrees F for 25-30 minutes. Crisp under the broiler.
Some of my favorites to serve with these nuggets are corn on the cob, salad, fruit, sweet potato fries, mac and cheese and pasta salad.
More Dinner Recipes You'll Love
If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to signup for my newsletter.
McDonald's Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground chicken
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 cup water
- 1 ½ tablespoons onion powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- In a food processor, blend the chicken, 1 egg and salt until chicken resembles a paste.
- Form the chicken into tablespoon sized nuggets. Dredge the nuggets in cornstarch to fully coat. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, mix the water, seasonings, flour and other egg. Mix well until a smooth batter forms.
- Place a nugget on a fork to dip into the batter. Let excess batter drip off.
- In a saucepan or deep skillet, bring oil to 350°F and place battered nuggets into fry.
- Fry for 3 minutes until nuggets are floating and remove to a paper towel to let rest.
- Return nuggets to oil for 2 more minutes to double fry. Allow nuggets to cool before eating.
Notes
- You can make your own ground chicken by placing chopped up chicken breasts in a food processor and pulsing to the right consistency.
- Be sure not to overcrowd the pan when frying. I cook the chicken in several batches.
- I use canola oil for frying, but vegetable and other oils will work too.
- The best chicken nuggets are crispy, so be sure to press the breading into each nugget piece all the way around to be sure the breading sticks.
- Save time by doubling or tripling this recipe, so you have plenty of extra nuggets to stick in the freezer for future meals.
- Storing: Place cooled nuggets in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for about 4 days. Reheat under the broiler until warm and crisp.
- Freezing: Let the chicken nuggets cool completely before transferring them to a cookie sheet. Freeze them in a single layer on the cookie sheet to ensure that they don’t stick together, then transfer the frozen chicken nuggets to a freezer safe zip top bag or container. Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Reheat them in the oven so that they’re nice and crispy.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Enjoy!
Morning arg
Have you tried making these in an air fryer?
I'm not a fan of grease fried things...
But I love breaded items.
Erika
I haven't tried to make these in the air fryer, but you can try cooking them at 400 degrees F for 7 minutes, then flip the nuggets and cook again for another 7-10 minutes. Let me know if you try it and how it went!