Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets
Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
For the Chicken Nuggets
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For Dredging and Breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
For Frying
- 4 cups vegetable oil, or enough for 2 inches in your pot
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the chicken: Place the 1-inch pieces of boneless, skinless chicken breast into a food processor. Pulse several times until the chicken is finely ground, resembling a coarse paste. Be careful not to over-process into a smooth purée.
⏱️ 3 min
- 2
Season the chicken: Transfer the ground chicken to a large mixing bowl. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the chicken mixture.
⏱️ 2 min
- 3
Shape the nuggets: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Take small portions of the chicken mixture and press them into dinosaur cookie cutters. Carefully remove the cookie cutter to reveal the shaped nugget. Repeat until all chicken mixture is used. If the mixture is too sticky, you can briefly chill it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to make shaping easier.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
Set up the dredging station: Prepare three shallow dishes. In the first dish, place the all-purpose flour. In the second dish, whisk together the beaten eggs and milk. In the third dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Bread the nuggets: One by one, dredge each dinosaur nugget first in the flour, ensuring it's fully coated and shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off. Finally, coat it thoroughly in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs adhere well. Place the breaded nuggets back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
⏱️ 8 min
- 6
Preheat the oil: Pour the vegetable oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, ensuring it reaches a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F on a deep-fry thermometer. (Alternatively, for a healthier option, you can bake the nuggets at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through).
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350
- 7
Fry the nuggets: Carefully place a few nuggets into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Adjust heat as needed to maintain 350°F.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 350
- 8
Drain and serve: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried nuggets to a wire rack set over paper towels to drain any excess oil. Repeat with remaining nuggets. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
For the Chicken Nuggets
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For Dredging and Breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
For Frying
- 4 cups vegetable oil, or enough for 2 inches in your pot
Instructions
- 1
Prepare the chicken: Place the 1-inch pieces of boneless, skinless chicken breast into a food processor. Pulse several times until the chicken is finely ground, resembling a coarse paste. Be careful not to over-process into a smooth purée.
⏱️ 3 min - 2
Season the chicken: Transfer the ground chicken to a large mixing bowl. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly with your hands until all seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the chicken mixture.
⏱️ 2 min - 3
Shape the nuggets: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Take small portions of the chicken mixture and press them into dinosaur cookie cutters. Carefully remove the cookie cutter to reveal the shaped nugget. Repeat until all chicken mixture is used. If the mixture is too sticky, you can briefly chill it in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to make shaping easier.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
Set up the dredging station: Prepare three shallow dishes. In the first dish, place the all-purpose flour. In the second dish, whisk together the beaten eggs and milk. In the third dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Bread the nuggets: One by one, dredge each dinosaur nugget first in the flour, ensuring it's fully coated and shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off. Finally, coat it thoroughly in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs adhere well. Place the breaded nuggets back on the parchment-lined baking sheet.
⏱️ 8 min - 6
Preheat the oil: Pour the vegetable oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, ensuring it reaches a depth of about 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F on a deep-fry thermometer. (Alternatively, for a healthier option, you can bake the nuggets at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through).
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350 - 7
Fry the nuggets: Carefully place a few nuggets into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F. Adjust heat as needed to maintain 350°F.
⏱️ 12 min•🌡️ 350 - 8
Drain and serve: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried nuggets to a wire rack set over paper towels to drain any excess oil. Repeat with remaining nuggets. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
⏱️ 3 min