Zesty Chicken Nuggets

Get ready to elevate your snack game with these irresistible Zesty Chicken Nuggets, a bold twist on a classic favorite. Perfectly seasoned with a blend of paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, and lemon zest, these nuggets boast a flavorful kick that will tantalize your taste buds. Coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese, each bite delivers a satisfying crunch and a hint of zest. The nuggets are marinated in buttermilk for tenderness, then fried to golden perfection for a deliciously juicy interior. Ideal for parties, family dinners, or game-day snacking, these homemade nuggets pair beautifully with a variety of dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or spicy mayo. With simple step-by-step instructions and just 35 minutes from prep to plate, this recipe is your go-to for creating crispy, zesty, and utterly addictive chicken nuggets everyone will love!

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 piece egg
• 2 cups breadcrumbs (panko preferred)
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Directions

Step 1

Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, about 1-1.5 inches in size.

Step 2

In a shallow dish, combine the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.

Step 3

In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg until smooth.

Step 4

In a third shallow dish, mix the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and lemon zest.

Step 5

Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.

Step 6

Dip the floured chicken piece into the buttermilk mixture, allowing the excess to drip off.

Step 7

Coat the chicken piece in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating.

Step 8

Repeat the breading process for all chicken pieces, setting them aside on a plate as you go.

Step 9

In a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot, heat vegetable oil over medium heat to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer for accuracy.

Step 10

Fry the chicken pieces in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the skillet. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per batch, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Step 11

Transfer the cooked nuggets to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 12

Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or spicy mayo.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1458.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6149.3

Total Fat 520.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 85.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.2g
Cholesterol 558.6mg	0%
Sodium 4797.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 241.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.3g	0%
Total Sugars 18.7g
Protein 169.1g	0%

Vitamin D 178.4IU	0%
Calcium 880.2mg	0%
Iron 13.6mg	0%
Potassium 1712.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 74.0%

Protein: 10.7%

Carbs: 15.3%