Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan

It is a fact in our family - children adore chicken schnitzel, so whenever I run out of cooking ideas, some quick chicken schnitzels are the answer. Lately, they started having some competition - the chicken nuggets, loved by everybody, especially by kids. Each time they eat them with delight and without any fuss.

Classic chicken nuggets are fried in oil, but there is, of course, the option to cook them in the oven. I tried both and I've noticed that the oven-cooked nuggets are healthier, but slightly drier. Pan-fried nuggets are much crispier on the outside and tender on the inside, they are our favourites, even though they aren't the healthiest.

By the way, I've also tried the low carb nuggets recipe - I used walnuts flour instead of white flour and store bought low carb breadcrumbs. I fried them in ghee and they were fantastically good.

Ingredients
Piept de pui dezosat
1 kg
Garlic cloves
3 pieces
or 1 tsp garlic powder
Egg
5 pieces
White flour
200 g
Bread crumbs
250 g
Parmesan
50 g
optional, I recommend it for the oven-cooked nuggets
Salt
1 tsp
Ground black pepper
0.25 tsp
Vegetable oil
200 ml
for the fried nuggets
Step by step
Step 1

Cut the chicken breast into 1cm thick slices.

Notice that I cut it widthwise, so that the slices are short and round.

Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan - Step 1
Step 2

Place the chicken into a bowl, add in the crushed garlic, salt and pepper (and maybe other spices that you like).

Mix with your hands to coat the chicken on all sides.

Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan - Step 2
Step 3

I recommend marinating the chicken for at least half an hour at room temperature or for a few hours in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap.

Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan - Step 3
Step 4

In a deep plate beat the eggs, a little salt and 3 tbsp oil.

Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan - Step 4
Step 5

Tip the breadcrumbs into a separate large plate.

If you are cooking the nuggets in the oven, I strongly recommend mixing the breadcrumbs with grated parmesan (or some other hard cheese). This will help forming a crunchy crust faster and won't let the baked nuggets get too dry. 

Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan - Step 5
Step 6

Place the flour into a third separate plate.

So, before you actually start, you should have one plate with flour, one with the eggwash and another one with breadcrumbs.

Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan - Step 6
Step 7

Coat each chicken strip first in flour.

Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan - Step 7
Step 8

Then in egg.

Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan - Step 8
Step 9

Finally, in breadcrumbs.

Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan - Step 9
Step 10

If oven-cooking the chicken, line the baking tray with parchment and place the chicken pieces on.

Bake in the preheated oven to 200 degrees C, preferably, with the fan function on in order to brown faster.

Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan - Step 10
Step 11

Cook until brown, but make sure the chicken doesn't get too dry.

Notice it will brown faster underneath, it's enough like this.

Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan - Step 11
Step 12

Or fry the chicken nuggets in the pan, like a regular schnitzel - in well heated oil and well cooked on each side.

When cooked through, drain on a plate lined with kitchen paper to absorb excess oil.

Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan - Step 12
Step 13

This is what chicken nuggets cooked in the oven look like.

Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan - Step 13
Step 14

And these are pan-fried.

Serve both with your favourite sauce and a nice vegetable salad on the side.

Enjoy!

Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan - Step 14
Quantity: 1200 kg ()
Prep time:
60 min
Difficulty: easy
Ready in: 60 min