Description
Crispy cheese chicken nuggets make dinner feel like a playful party at home. Perfectly golden and packed with cheesy goodness, these nuggets turn an ordinary meal into something everyone will be excited about.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 500 grams ground chicken thigh
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese
Supporting Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup canola oil
Instructions
- Mix 500 grams ground chicken thigh with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper in a large bowl until seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Take 1-1.5 tablespoons of seasoned chicken mixture and roll into a small ball. Gently flatten the ball with your palm.
- Place a small pinch of shredded mozzarella cheese (about 1 tablespoon) in the center of each flattened chicken disc. Carefully reform the ball around the cheese.
- Set up three separate shallow dishes: one with 1 cup all-purpose flour, one with 1 beaten large egg, and one with 1 cup breadcrumbs.
- Roll each cheese-stuffed chicken ball first in flour, then dip in egg, and finally coat thoroughly with breadcrumbs.
- Heat 1 cup canola oil in a deep pot to 350°F, ensuring the oil is at least 2 inches deep.
- Carefully lower 4-5 breaded nuggets into hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes, turning once, until they reach a deep golden brown color.
- Remove nuggets with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
- Plate your crispy cheese chicken nuggets and serve with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch or barbecue.
Notes
- Check chicken freshness by ensuring it’s pink and firm, with no gray or slimy patches.
- Chill the chicken balls for 15 minutes before coating to help them hold their shape during frying.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- For a gluten-free version, swap wheat flour and breadcrumbs with almond flour and crushed pork rinds.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 491 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg