When I hear the phrase, “It’s finger-licking good,” I’m instantly reminded of KFC’s world-famous, juicy fried chicken. However, my favorite item on their menu is their Chicken Nuggets, and here is me sharing my attempt at making them at home.
I began experimenting with KFC-style recipes at home. It took a few tries to get it just right, but soon, I perfected it. Now, my KFC-style fried Chicken Nuggets have become a hit among my family and friends for all gatherings.
Therefore, I’d like you to get the same flavorful hit of KFC in your home kitchen. With just a few easy steps and ingredients, you, too, can enjoy these ‘finger-licking good’ nuggets at home.
Equipments Required
- Medium-Sized Bowl: To prepare the mixture, I usually suggest a medium bowl, but a large bowl works fine, too, if that’s your preference.
- Knife: Using a sharp knife is my top recommendation for ensuring precise cuts of chicken.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: These two tools are my go-to for ensuring precise measurements of the ingredients.
- Perforated Spoon: I use this equipment to remove any excess oil while removing the chicken pieces from the frying pot.
- Heavy Bottom Frying Pot: I use a heavy bottom pot to fry the chicken.
- A Plate or Wire Rack: Using a wire rack is a great way to keep your coated chicken before frying and remove any extra coating.
KFC Chicken Nuggets Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: The ingredients listed below are enough to make 3 portions of KFC Chicken Nuggets.
For Marinating:
- 300 Grams Boneless Chicken Breasts, cut into 2 inch cubes: For more succulent nuggets, I recommend opting for chicken thighs.
- 5 Tablespoon Buttermilk: Combining milk with yogurt can help you achieve a taste and texture similar to buttermilk.
- 2 Teaspoons of Salt: I use regular salt, but for a milder salt concentration you can try using kosher salt
- .2½ Teaspoon Black Pepper Powder: For a milder flavor, I recommend using white pepper powder, while chili powder will add a spicier kick.
For Coating:
- 4 Tablespoon All Purpose Flour: Opt for wheat flour, almond flour, or rice flour if you want a healthier alternative.
- 2 Whole Eggs
- ½ Cup Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs: I also use panko for an extra crunchy coating.
- ¼ Cup Corn Flakes: For a flaky texture, you can also use crushed tortilla chips or crackers.
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano: I usually include marjoram as a suitable option for oregano with a mild, sweet flavor.
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder: If you want a bolder garlic punch, mix in some crushed dried garlic or garlic oil.
- 1 Teaspoon Onion Powder: I also use leek powder or shallot powder for the same onion-like flavor.
- ½ Teaspoon Paprika Powder: You can use chili powder or chili sauce for a vibrant red color and a spicy kick.
- 3-4 Cups of Vegetable Oil: To deep fry the chicken, I also suggest using canola oil, which has a neutral flavor and high cooking point.
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Resting Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Minutes | 1 Hour | 30 Minutes | 1 Hour 40 Minutes |
How To Make KFC Chicken Nuggets At Home
Step 1
Add the chicken cubes to a bowl and pour buttermilk all over them.
Step 2
Next, season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Step 3
Marinate the chicken for at least one hour to let the flavors of the buttermilk and seasonings seep in.
Step 4
Now, transfer the flour to a separate bowl.
Step 5
Then, whisk the eggs in a different bowl and set aside.
Step 6
In a tray, blend the cornflakes and breadcrumbs, and then add the garlic and onion powders to the mixture.
Step 7
Season the breadcrumbs with salt and pepper.
Step 8
Next, sprinkle paprika and oregano into the tray with the breadcrumb mixture.
Step 9
Begin by coating the marinated chicken in flour, then dip it in beaten eggs, and finally coat it with the mixture of breadcrumbs and cornflakes.
Step 10
Place the coated chicken pieces on a wire rack to shake off any excess coating.
Step 11
Finally, fry the chicken in hot oil until crispy and golden brown; remove with a perforated spoon to shake off any excess oil.
Step 12
Serve immediately.
KFC Chicken Nuggets Recipe Video
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- A proper marination ensures the chicken becomes tender and juicy while amplifying the flavors of the ingredients. I suggest marinating the chicken for an hour or at least 3-4 hours if you have enough time.
- Feel free to enhance your coating not only with onion and garlic powder but also with additional ingredients like dried thyme or basil and a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg powder.
- To ensure even cooking and better flavor absorption, I use a fork to poke the chicken meat before marinating.
- Ensure the oil temperature stays between 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the frying process for even cooking.
- I recommend double-dredging the chicken pieces in the flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs for an extra crispy coating.
- I always rest the chicken for 10-15 minutes before frying to ensure that the breading sticks properly.
FAQs About KFC Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Nutritional Information Per Serving
KFC Chicken Nuggets are not very healthy. Due to deep frying, they have a high fat and calorie content. Hence, it is best to enjoy them in moderation.
| Calories | 321 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Protein | 33 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Cholesterol | 169 mg |
| Sodium | 1319 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
KFC Chicken Nuggets are perfect for people on a low-sugar diet. However, those on ketogenic, gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, or low-fat diets may have to make some variations to the recipe for it to be suitable.
Recipe Variations For Different Diets
- Dairy-Free Diet: For a dairy-free option, I recommend replacing buttermilk with almond milk or soy milk during the marinating process.
- Ketogenic Diet: I recommend following the same option as mentioned for a dairy-free diet. Moreover, you need to replace the breadcrumbs and all-purpose flour with ketogenic breadcrumbs and almond flour.
- Low-Fat Diet: To make this recipe lower in fat, I suggest using an air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, instead of deep frying, which eliminates the need for oil. You can also replace buttermilk with hemp milk for a reduced-fat option.
- Gluten-Free Diet: To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free flour or cornmeal instead of all-purpose flour, and choose quinoa flakes or gluten-free breadcrumbs rather than traditional breadcrumbs.
Storing And Reheating This Recipe
Storing-
- In the refrigerator: To preserve the freshness of leftover chicken nuggets for 5 days, I always store them in an airtight container or a sealed zip-lock bag in the refrigerator.
- In the freezer: Sometimes, I store leftover nuggets in the freezer for a longer period. I just transfer them to an airtight container or zip-lock bag and store them in the freezer, where they stay fresh for about one month.
Reheating-
- Stove-top method: Heat a frying pan and shallowly fry the nuggets at low flame with minimal oil for 3- 5 minutes or until they turn a little crispy.
- In the Oven: I always grease the baking tray with oil, transfer the chicken nuggets by spraying some cooking spray over them, and place them in a preheated oven for about 350 degrees F, for 10-15 minutes.
- In the Airfryer: Place your leftover nuggets in an air fryer basket and spray them with cooking oil. Allow them to reheat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-10 minutes until they are hot and crispy.
What To Serve With This Recipe
I love eating my nuggets independently, but I’ve included some side and sauce recommendations for those who want to try something different.
Some sauces that go great with nuggets are Spicy Mayonnaise, Chimichurri, and Garlic Parmesan Sauce. These flavorful sauces are always a great side for the nuggets.
Printable Version
KFC Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Ingredients
For Marinating:
- 300 Grams Chicken Breasts Boneless
- 5 Tablespoon Buttermilk
- ½ Teaspoon of Salt
- 2½ Teaspoon Black Pepper Powder
For Coating:
- 4 Tablespoon All Purpose Flour
- 2 Whole Eggs
- ½ Cup Whole Wheat Bread Crumbs
- ¼ Cup Corn Flakes
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
- ½ Teaspoon Paprika Powder
- 3-4 Cups of Vegetable Oil
Equipment
- Medium-sized Bowl
- Knife
- Measuring Cups And Spoons
- Perforated Spoon
- Heavy Bottom Frying Pot
- A Plate or Wire Rack
Instructions
- Add the chicken cubes to a bowl and pour buttermilk all over them.
- Next, season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Marinate the chicken for at least one hour to let the flavors of the buttermilk and seasonings seep in.
- Now, transfer the flour to a separate bowl.
- Then, whisk the eggs in a different bowl and set aside.
- In a tray, blend the cornflakes and breadcrumbs, and then add the garlic and onion powders to the mixture.
- Season the breadcrumbs with salt and pepper.
- Next, sprinkle paprika and oregano into the tray with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Begin by coating the marinated chicken in flour, then dip it in beaten eggs, and finally coat it with the mixture of breadcrumbs and cornflakes.
- Place the coated chicken pieces on a wire rack to shake off any excess coating.
- Finally, fry the chicken in hot oil until crispy and golden brown; remove with a perforated spoon to shake off any excess oil.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- A proper marination ensures the chicken becomes tender and juicy while amplifying the flavors of the ingredients. I suggest marinating the chicken for an hour or at least 3-4 hours if you have enough time.
- Feel free to enhance your coating not only with onion and garlic powder but also with additional ingredients like dried thyme or basil and a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg powder.
- To ensure even cooking and better flavor absorption, I use a fork to poke the chicken meat before marinating.
- Ensure the oil temperature stays between 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the frying process for even cooking.Â
- I recommend double-dredging the chicken pieces in the flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs for an extra crispy coating.Â
- I always rest the chicken for 10-15 minutes before frying to ensure that the breading sticks properly.Â
Nutrition
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Conclusion
KFC Chicken Nuggets recipe is a real treat for the taste buds. It offers a delightful mix of crunchy exterior and juicy meat inside, making it absolutely tempting. The best part? It’s quick and simple to make and ready in no time.
I recommend ensuring that the KFC Chicken Nuggets are well-coated with the breading and batter to avoid any issues while frying. After you try this recipe, you’ll probably make these KFC nuggets at home as often as I do!
So, enjoy this delicious recipe and share your feedback. I’ll have another recipe for you soon. Until then, happy cooking!
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