McDonald's-Style Crispy Chicken Nuggets

Ingredients

• 🍗Chicken breast1 medium
• 🧂Salt1 teaspoon
• 🫑Black pepper0.5 teaspoon
• 🧄Granulated garlic0.25 teaspoon
• 🧅Onion powder0.25 teaspoon
• 🌽Cornstarch (for chicken mixture)1 tablespoon
• 💧Water (for chicken mixture)1 tablespoon
• 🌾All-purpose flour1 cup
• 🌽Cornstarch (for batter)0.25 cup
• 🫑Black pepper (for batter)0.5 teaspoon
• 🌶️Paprika0.5 teaspoon
• 🧅Onion powder (for batter)1 teaspoon
• 🧄Garlic powder1 teaspoon
• 💧Water (for batter)1 cup
• 🫒Oil for fryingas needed

Method

1. 1Trim and cube the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.
2. 2In a bowl, combine cubed chicken with salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, onion powder, cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon water. Mix well until sticky.
3. 3Transfer the chicken mixture to a food processor or blender and pulse for about 1 minute until it reaches a sticky, ground-chicken consistency.
4. 4Return the processed chicken to a bowl. Wet your hands with water and use a tablespoon measuring tool to portion out the chicken.
5. 5Roll each portion into a ball, then flatten and shape into a nugget form. Place on parchment paper.
6. 6Freeze the shaped nuggets uncovered for 20-30 minutes. Lift them occasionally to prevent sticking.
7. 7While nuggets freeze, prepare the batter: whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
8. 8Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add 1 cup water. Whisk until smooth with no lumps.
9. 9Heat oil in a pan to 350°F.
10. 10Remove frozen nuggets from freezer. Dip each nugget into the batter, coating both sides generously.
11. 11Fry for 3 minutes per side. Remove and let rest on a cooling rack.
12. 12Return the nuggets to the oil for 2 minutes per side for extra crispiness.
13. 13Remove from oil, let cool, and serve.