Copycat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets Recipe
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I love McDonald’s as much as anyone, but it’s gotten expensive—feeding a family of five isn’t cheap anymore (especially now that the dollar menu is gone). Luckily, I’ve found a way to make delicious Copycat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets at home. It’s a great way to save time, money, and enjoy a healthier alternative to the drive-thru!
Chicken nuggets are the ultimate comfort food, filled with nostalgia. Growing up, grabbing a Chicken McNuggets Happy Meal was always the highlight of my day. And let’s be honest—chicken nuggets aren’t just for kids. Adults can enjoy them too, anytime, any day! Trust me, this homemade version is a game-changer. They’re fresher, crispier, and so much tastier than the nuggets that are deep-fried and left sitting under a heat lamp. These are easy to make and absolutely hit the spot when that nugget craving strikes!
Want more delicious copycat nugget recipes? Try our Chick-fil-A Grilled Nuggets recipe and regular Chick-fil-A Nuggets recipe.
Why You’ll Love Our Recipe
- Crispy, fresh, and packed with homemade deliciousness.
- Easy-to-follow instructions for recreating that McDonald’s nugget taste at home.
- Made with simple ingredients, keeping it budget-friendly and delicious.
Ingredient Information
- Ground Chicken: Often found near the chicken in the meat department at your local grocery store.
- Eggs: Large Grade AA eggs work great.
- Cornstarch: Helps bind the ground chicken together. This is not the same as corn meal or corn flour.
- Flour: Regular all-purpose flour is best. Is used for the coating on the nuggets to help bind the meat together and keep them crispy.
- Onion Powder: Not the same as onion salt.
- Garlic Powder: Not the same as garlic salt.
- Vegetable Oil: This is used for frying. Can also use canola oil or olive oil in a pinch.
Storage Information
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freeze uncooked nuggets in a freezer safe bag for up to 2 months. You can layer nuggets in between pieces of parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking to each other.
Tips for Frying Frozen Nuggets
Freezing the nuggets before frying actually helps them maintain their shape and prevents the batter from slipping off, so it’s a common step in recipes like this. Just exercise caution when handling hot oil! Here’s some safety tips:
Remove Excess Ice: Make sure the nuggets are free of ice crystals before frying. Ice can cause the oil to splatter dangerously when it melts.
Lower Carefully: Add the nuggets to the oil slowly and carefully to prevent splashing.
Make in Small Batches: Fry in small batches to maintain the oil temperature and reduce the risk of overflow.
Use Proper Tools: Use tongs or a slotted spoon to add and remove nuggets from the hot oil. You can place them onto a plate covered with paper towels to remove the excess oil from cooking.
Perfect McDonald’s Pairings
If you are wanting to make an entire McDonald’s meal at home, you can pair it with some copycat versions of fries and Coke.
Many suggest the frozen Ore-Ida Shoestring French Fries (they come in golden, crispy shoestring or extra crispy fast food fries) taste the most similar to the McDonald’s fries.
For the closest McDonald’s Coke taste, get the Coca-Cola in glass bottles (also sometimes called Mexican Coke).
Air Fryer Method
While frying the nuggets in oil will give you the most authentic taste, you can also opt to make these even healthier and skip the oil altogether by using the air fryer.
You will follow all the same steps for making the nuggets but when it comes to cooking, do the following:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Place the nuggets in a single layer in the basket, making sure they don’t touch or overlap. Lightly spray the tops of the nuggets with cooking spray.
- Cook the nuggets at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Ensure they are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Helpful Tips
- The chicken mix can be a little sticky so you might want to wet your hands with water while forming the nuggets. You can also wear food-safe gloves.
Copycat McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt divided
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper divided
- 2 eggs divided
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup water
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Blend the chicken, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper in a food processor until it forms a smooth mixture.
- Shape the mixture into about 20 nuggets.
- Coat the nuggets lightly with cornstarch and set them aside.
- In a bowl, mix the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, remaining salt and pepper, 1 egg, and water until smooth.
- Dip each nugget into the batter and place them on a tray lined with parchment paper.
- Pop the tray into the freezer for 2 hours to firm up the nuggets (see notes on frying frozen nuggets in oil before proceeding).
- Heat 2-3 inches of oil in a large skillet to 350°F.
- Fry a few nuggets at a time for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they’re crispy and golden.
- Drain the nuggets on paper towels and repeat with the rest.
- Serve hot with fries and your favorite dipping sauce!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is a rough estimate only; actual values will vary based on the exact ingredients used and amount of recipe prepared.
