Description
Delicious homemade Chicken Nuggets marinated in tangy dill pickle juice and milk, coated in a flavorful seasoned breadcrumb mixture, and fried to golden perfection. Perfect for a family meal or snack, these crispy nuggets are a great alternative to fast food favorites.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks
- 1 cup dill pickle juice
- ½ cup whole milk
Breading
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
For Frying
- Peanut oil (at least 1 inch deep, for frying)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken chunks in a large zip-close bag and add the dill pickle juice and whole milk. Seal the bag and massage it gently to coat all pieces of chicken. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to infuse flavor and tenderize the meat.
- Heat the oil: While the chicken marinates, heat peanut oil in a deep fryer or heavy-bottomed pot until it reaches 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The oil should be at least 1 inch deep to ensure even frying.
- Prepare the breading mix: In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the flour, plain breadcrumbs, powdered sugar, garlic powder, paprika, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. This seasoned mixture will provide a crispy, flavorful coating.
- Coat the chicken: Drain and discard the marinade from the chicken pieces. Dip each piece thoroughly into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to ensure an even coating on all sides.
- Fry the nuggets: Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil in small batches to prevent temperature drop. Fry each batch for 5 minutes or until the nuggets turn a deep golden brown and are cooked through.
- Drain and serve: Remove the cooked nuggets with a slotted spoon and place them on a wire cooling rack to drain excess oil. Repeat until all chicken pieces are fried. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can double-dip the chicken by dipping in milk and breadcrumb mixture twice before frying.
- If you prefer a healthier version, bake the nuggets at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Peanut oil is preferred for frying due to its high smoke point and neutral flavor, but vegetable or canola oil can be substituted.
- Serve with a homemade or store-bought dipping sauce like honey mustard, ranch, or Chick-fil-A style sauce for a complete treat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 226 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 886 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 74 mg
