Make the fast food chicken nuggets of your childhood at home: Video

For some people, a fast-food chicken nugget can bring back the simple nostalgia of childhood. If you’re craving that crispy classic but would rather make it your way, you can recreate this staple at home.

It’s a multi-step process, but not a difficult one. The nuggets need some time in the freezer before cooking, so give yourself plenty of time if you plan to make them for dinner. Otherwise, make them today and freeze them for later.

Don’t forget the dipping sauces. You can easily make three different dips in just a few minutes to pair with the nuggets. You’ll be lovin’ it.

Watch this video to see how to make homemade nuggets from scratch.

Homemade chicken nugget recipe

To make chicken nuggets, you'll need:

• Ground chicken.
• Salt and pepper.
• Onion powder. 
• Garlic powder. 
• Paprika. 
• One egg. 
• Corn starch.

Season the ground chicken to taste with your spices. Next, add the egg and mix until everything is well combined.    

Use an ice cream scoop to portion about 1½ tablespoons of the chicken mixture and drop it into a bowl of cornstarch. Toss until fully coated, then mold it into a nugget shape and place it on a lined baking sheet. Keep the pieces as uniform as possible so everything cooks evenly.

Place the baking sheet in the freezer to help the nuggets hold their shape during cooking. You want them to become firm.

Once the nuggets are firm, prepare a standard batter for them. You can batter the nuggets immediately before cooking, or batter them and return them to the freezer for later.

For the batter, you’ll need:

• Flour.
• Corn starch. 
• Water or any liquid of your choice, like beer or seltzer water. 
• Salt, pepper and any of your favorite spices or spice blends. 

Combine 1 cup of flour with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, then mix in about 1 cup of water. You want the batter to be slightly runnier than pancake batter. Add spices and additional water if needed.

Coat the nuggets in the batter.

When you’re ready to cook, heat the oil to about 350°F. You may want to heat it slightly higher, since the temperature will drop when you add the frozen nuggets.

Work in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Add a few nuggets to the hot oil and keep them moving so they don’t stick together or brown too much on one side. A good indication that the nuggets are done is their golden-brown color and that they begin to float to the top.

Transfer them to a wire rack to cool and let the excess oil drain off. Once they’re cool enough, pair them with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy. Keep reading for three easy sauce recipes.

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Copycat Cane’s Sauce

Cane’s Sauce is from the chicken finger restaurant Raising Cane’s. The dipping sauce is a fan-favorite.  

Watch this video for three homemade dipping sauces that pair perfectly with fried chicken. 

To make your own Cane’s Sauce, you'll need:

• ½ cup of mayonnaise.  
• A few squirts of ketchup. 
• A few dashes of Worcestershire sauce. 
• A few shakes of garlic salt. 
• A few generous dashes of black pepper. 
• Optional: Smoked paprika, cayenne or hot sauce. 

Combine the ingredients in a bowl and adjust the flavors as needed. The perfect sauce depends on your taste buds, so start small and add more as you go.

Homemade maple butter sauce and hot honey

To make a homemade maple butter sauce: Melt butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Then stir in maple syrup, a dash of cinnamon and a pinch of salt.

It’s perfect for that classic chicken-and-waffles flavor — without needing to use or clean the waffle maker.

For homemade hot honey: Heat honey over low heat in a skillet. Add sliced jalapeños — or substitute cayenne or crushed red pepper — and let it steep briefly. Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly. Take out the jalapeños, then stir in a small splash of apple cider vinegar and enjoy. Don’t toss the jalapeño slices, either — they make a tasty garnish or snack.