Fry Time For Chicken Nuggets: How Long Is Too Long?

Chicken nuggets are a popular meal, especially for kids, and can be made at home or bought frozen from the store. They are typically made from chicken breast, although some are made from chicken thighs or legs. When cooking chicken nuggets, it is important to note the different cooking times and temperatures depending on the method used. For example, when frying chicken nuggets, they should be cooked for around 2-4 minutes, whereas in an air fryer, they should be cooked for 7-12 minutes.

How to make chicken nuggets in an air fryer

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make chicken nuggets in an air fryer:

• Chicken breasts or tenders
• All-purpose flour
• Panko or regular breadcrumbs
• Eggs
• Buttermilk
• Oil (vegetable, olive, or another neutral oil)
• Salt and pepper
• Any other seasonings of your choice (e.g. garlic powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, etc.)

Steps

• Cut the chicken breasts into nugget-sized pieces.
• Prepare the breading by combining the flour, breadcrumbs, and any desired seasonings in separate bowls. Beat the eggs and buttermilk in another bowl.
• Dip the chicken pieces in the flour, then the egg mixture, and finally coat them with the breadcrumbs. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated at each step.
• Preheat your air fryer to 375-400°F. Grease the air fryer basket or tray with cooking spray or oil.
• Place the chicken nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer, leaving space between them for the hot air to circulate. Spray the tops of the nuggets with cooking spray or oil.
• Air fry the chicken nuggets for 8-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the size of your nuggets, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• Remove the nuggets from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can also add some grated parmesan cheese to the breadcrumb mixture for extra flavor and crispiness.
• If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute it with a mixture of milk and vinegar or lemon juice, or plain Greek yogurt diluted with water.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Cook in batches if necessary.
• For best results, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.

How to make chicken nuggets in a deep fryer

Making chicken nuggets in a deep fryer is a simple process that yields a delicious, family-friendly meal. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make chicken nuggets in a deep fryer:

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. of boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• Buttermilk
• 4 cups peanut or vegetable oil, for frying
• Kosher salt, to taste

Instructions:

• Cut the chicken into nugget-sized pieces. If using chicken breasts, cut them into 1x1x1/2 inch pieces.
• In a large Ziploc bag or bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk.
• Place the Panko breadcrumbs in a separate shallow bowl.
• Add the chicken pieces to the bag with the seasoned flour. Seal and toss to coat each piece evenly.
• Working in batches, dip the chicken pieces in the egg mixture and then dredge them in the breadcrumbs.
• Let the chicken rest on a wire rack for a few minutes while you heat the oil.
• Fill a deep fryer with peanut or vegetable oil, no more than 1/3 full. Heat the oil to 350°F.
• Working in batches, carefully place the chicken nuggets into the hot oil. Fry for about 2-4 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are a deep golden brown.
• Transfer the fried nuggets to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with a little more salt while they are still warm.
• Repeat the frying process with the remaining chicken nuggets.
• Serve the chicken nuggets immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.

Tips:

• For extra crispy chicken nuggets, use Panko breadcrumbs, a Japanese-style breadcrumb that absorbs less grease and stays crispier for longer.
• To ensure the chicken nuggets are cooked evenly, maintain a consistent oil temperature of 350°F. Do not overcrowd the pan, as this will bring down the temperature.
• For food safety, ensure the internal temperature of the chicken nuggets reaches 160ºF.
• Leftover chicken nuggets can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or air fryer until crispy and hot.

How to reheat chicken nuggets

There are several ways to reheat chicken nuggets, including using an oven, air fryer, toaster oven, skillet, broiler, or microwave. Here is a detailed description of each method:

Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Meanwhile, place the nuggets on a baking sheet, ensuring they are in a single layer and not touching each other. Optionally, you can lightly spray the nuggets with cooking oil to enhance crispness. Bake the nuggets for about 8 to 15 minutes, or until they are fully heated through and hot inside. Serve immediately, being careful not to burn your mouth.

Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C). Place the nuggets in the fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. There is no need to spray the air fryer or the nuggets with cooking oil. Cook the nuggets at 350°F (180°C) for 3 to 7 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Let the nuggets rest for about a minute after air frying, and serve.

Toaster Oven

The toaster oven is a good alternative to a conventional oven, as it will be faster and the nuggets will be crispier. Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the nuggets on a wire rack in the toaster oven and cook for approximately 5 to 10 minutes, or until they are piping hot to the touch. Let the nuggets rest for at least 60 seconds before serving.

Skillet

Fill a skillet with approximately 1 inch of oil and heat it to 350°F (180°C). Carefully place the nuggets in the oil, ensuring not to crowd the pan. Cook the nuggets for about 5 seconds on each side, turning once. Remove the nuggets from the oil and let them cool on a paper towel for at least one minute before serving.

Broiler (Grill)

Preheat the broiler to medium-high heat. Optionally, you can microwave the nuggets for 30 seconds before broiling to speed up the process. Lightly spray the nuggets with cooking oil if desired. Place the nuggets on a wire rack and broil for 2 to 4 minutes, turning halfway through, until they are heated through.

Microwave

Although the microwave is not the best method, it is the fastest. Bring the nuggets to room temperature before microwaving, and line a wide plate with a kitchen paper towel. Place the nuggets in a single layer on the plate and microwave on high for 60 to 90 seconds, or until warm. Serve immediately.

How to store chicken nuggets

Chicken nuggets are a delicious treat, but it's important to store them properly to ensure they stay safe and tasty. Here are some detailed and direct instructions on how to store chicken nuggets:

Storing Cooked Chicken Nuggets:

If you have cooked chicken nuggets that you want to store, it's important to refrigerate them within two hours of cooking. To maximise their shelf life, store the nuggets in shallow airtight containers or wrap them tightly with heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic wrap. Properly stored, cooked chicken nuggets will last for 1 to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Storing Chicken Nuggets for Lunch:

If you want to pack chicken nuggets for lunch, the key to keeping them warm and crispy is to use a good thermos. First, boil some water and pour it into the thermos, letting it sit for at least one minute. Then, dump out the water, dry the thermos, and place a folded napkin or paper towel at the bottom. This will absorb any moisture and keep the nuggets crispy. Finally, place the chicken nuggets inside, secure the lid, and put the thermos in the lunch box. With this method, the chicken nuggets will stay warm and crispy for up to 5 hours.

Storing Raw Chicken Nuggets:

If you're working with raw chicken nuggets, it's important to handle them safely to avoid any cross-contamination. Keep the nuggets refrigerated until you're ready to cook them, and use separate utensils and cutting boards for raw chicken to avoid spreading bacteria.

Storing Frozen Chicken Nuggets:

If you have purchased frozen chicken nuggets or are planning to freeze your own, they can be stored in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. When freezing, use covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, or wrap them tightly with heavy-duty foil or freezer wrap.

Reheating Chicken Nuggets:

When it comes to reheating chicken nuggets, preheat your oven or toaster oven to 400°F. Place the nuggets on a baking sheet and warm them until the breading is hot and crispy, about 10 minutes for room-temperature nuggets or 15-20 minutes for frozen ones. You can also reheat them directly from frozen without defrosting them first.

How to make chicken nuggets crispy

There are a few key steps to making chicken nuggets crispy. Firstly, the breading mixture is important. A combination of flour and panko breadcrumbs will give a crispy texture. You can also add a touch of baking soda to the mixture to help the nuggets brown quickly and evenly. If you are using breadcrumbs, toasting them in the oven for a few minutes before tossing them with the spices and chicken is crucial for achieving a crispy texture.

Another important factor is the cooking method. Deep frying or air frying will give the crispiest results. If you are deep frying, heat your oil to 350°F and fry the nuggets in batches for 2-4 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are a deep golden brown. If you are air frying, preheat your air fryer to 400°F and cook the nuggets in a single layer for 9-12 minutes.

The chicken itself can also impact crispiness. Brining the chicken before breading and frying will help to keep the meat juicy, and also provides an opportunity to add seasoning. After frying, season the nuggets with a bit of extra salt while they are still warm so that it adheres to the crispy coating.

Finally, the cooking oil can make a difference. Peanut oil is a good option for deep frying, while an olive oil cooking spray can help to achieve a crispy exterior when baking.

Frequently asked questions