Hey there, foodies! If you love crispy, golden chicken nuggets but want a healthier option, I’ve got just the recipe for you! These McChicken Nuggets are packed with more protein than the ones you’d find at McDonald’s, and they’re just as tasty if not more! With simple ingredients and an easy-to-follow method, you can make these nuggets right at home and feel good about what you’re eating.
Method
Mix the Chicken
Begin by placing your chicken mince in a large mixing bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard, salt and pepper to taste, 1 teaspoon of garlic granules, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Stir all these ingredients together until everything is evenly combined. The mustard will add a tangy flavor, while the garlic and onion powders, along with the paprika, will give the chicken mixture a nice savory kick. Be sure to mix well so the spices are evenly distributed throughout the chicken mince.
Shape the Nuggets
Once your chicken mixture is fully mixed, it’s time to shape it into nuggets. Wet your hands lightly with some water this will make the shaping process easier and prevent the chicken mixture from sticking to your hands. Now, take small portions of the chicken mixture and roll them into nugget-sized pieces. You can shape them to your liking, but I made mine slightly bigger than those you would find at McDonald’s. Feel free to make them smaller or larger, depending on your preference.
Freeze the Nuggets
After shaping the nuggets, place them on a baking tray or in a container and pop them into the freezer for about 20 minutes. Freezing them for this short period helps the nuggets hold their shape while cooking. If you skip this step, the nuggets might fall apart or lose their shape during the frying or baking process. Freezing is key to keeping them intact!
Coat the Nuggets
Once the nuggets have frozen for 20 minutes, take them out of the freezer. In a separate bowl, whisk an egg until it is well beaten. In another bowl, add 40g of flour and 1 teaspoon of baking powder. To coat the nuggets, first dip each nugget into the whisked egg, making sure it’s completely covered. Then, roll the nugget in the flour mixture, ensuring that the nugget is fully coated. The flour with baking powder helps make the nuggets extra crispy when cooked, giving them that perfect crunch.
Air Fry or Bake the Nuggets
Now it’s time to cook the nuggets! For a crispy, healthier option, air fry the nuggets. Lay them flat on a piece of baking paper in the air fryer basket and lightly spray them with some fry light or oil. Air fry the nuggets at 200°C for about 15 minutes. If you’re using an oven instead, preheat it to 210°C, and bake the nuggets for the same amount of time. Be sure to check on them around 12 minutes to ensure they don’t overcook or burn. The nuggets should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, while staying juicy on the inside.
Necessary Tools
- Mixing bowl
- Wet cloth or towel for shaping nuggets
- Freezer-safe container
- Frying pan or air fryer
- Baking paper
- Spray oil or fry light
McChicken Nuggets A Healthier Twist on a Fast Food Favorite!
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy16
servings15
minutes15
minutes30
minutesIngredients
500g chicken mince
1 tsp yellow mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp garlic granules
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp paprika
40g flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg, whisked
Directions
- Mix the Chicken In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken mince, yellow mustard, salt, pepper, garlic granules, onion powder, and paprika. Mix everything together until the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Shape the Nuggets Wet your hands with a little water and start shaping the chicken mixture into nugget-sized pieces. You can make them smaller or larger depending on your preference, but I made mine a little bigger than the ones at McDonald’s.
- Freeze the Nuggets Once your nuggets are shaped, place them on a baking tray or in a container and freeze for about 20 minutes. This helps them hold their shape better when cooking.
- Coat the Nuggets After freezing, dip each nugget into the whisked egg, then coat it in the flour mixture. I recommend using flour that has a little baking powder to help make them extra crispy.
- Air Fry or Bake Place the nuggets on a piece of baking paper and spray them lightly with some fry light or oil. Air fry at 200°C for about 15 minutes. If you’re using an oven, set it to 210°C and bake for the same amount of time.
Notes
- Freezing Tip Make sure to freeze the nuggets for at least 20 minutes to ensure they hold their shape during cooking. If you skip this step, they might fall apart in the fryer or oven.
- Flour Coating Coat the nuggets thoroughly in flour to ensure that golden crispy texture. Don’t skip this step!
- Air Fryer Settings If using an air fryer, remember that different models may cook at slightly different times, so keep an eye on your nuggets. Check after 12 minutes to see if they’re golden and crispy.
Serving Suggestions
These McChicken Nuggets are great on their own, but you can easily pair them with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, BBQ sauce, or even a little honey mustard! You can also serve them alongside a fresh salad, homemade fries, or even in a wrap for a fun twist.
Fun Fact
Did you know that chicken nuggets were invented in the 1950s by a man named Robert C. Baker, who was a food scientist at Cornell University? He came up with the idea of coating chicken with batter and deep frying it, making the first version of the chicken nugget as we know it today!
Conclusion
These McChicken Nuggets are not just healthier than your usual fast food option; they’re also fun to make and will impress your family or friends. With more protein and fewer calories, you can indulge in crispy, delicious nuggets without the guilt. Give this recipe a try, and let me know how it turns out for you!
