McDonald's nuggets use 40 ingredients including dimethylpolysiloxane—homemade versions with just 7 ingredients taste completely different.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets and Ketchup
Get ready to indulge in crispy, golden homemade chicken nuggets that are sure to become a family favorite! Coated in a flavorful blend of breadcrumbs and spices, these bites are perfectly paired with a zesty, homemade ketchup that packs a punch. Whip up this easy recipe for a fun and tasty meal that everyone will love!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(9)
- 1/4 tsp of celery salt (if any) (1.25 ml)optional
- 1 tsp garlic powder (5 ml)
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder (7.5 ml)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (2.5 ml)
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup (120 ml)
- 1 tsp onion powder (5 ml)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder (2.5 ml)
- 1/2 tsp pepper (2.5 ml)
- 1/4 cup water (60 ml)
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 1 lb ground chicken (we used half white meat and half dark meat) (454 g)
🫙Pantry Staples(6)
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour (83.8 g)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda (2.5 ml)
- 2 tsp cornstarch (10 ml)
- 1/4 cup cornstarch (60 ml)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (15 ml)
- 6 oz tomato paste (170 g)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(5)
- 1 ½ tsp adobo all purpose seasoning (7.5 ml)
- 1 tsp paprika (5 ml)
- 1/2 tsp paprika (2.5 ml)
- 2 tsp salt (10 ml)
- 1 tsp salt (5 ml)
🍯Sauces & Condiments(2)
- 1/4 cup champagne vinegar (60 ml)
- 1/4 cup white vinegar (60 ml)
📦Other(1)
- 1 cup ice water (240 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Combine all chicken mixture ingredients in a bowl and massage well. Then form into chicken nugget pieces and set on parchment paper lined pan. When all the nuggets are formed, place the pan in the freezer for 1 hour.
- 2
Combine all ketchup ingredients in a medium pan and mix well. Then set the pan on the oven and bring to a soft boil and then turn the heat to low & let simmer for 15 minutes. Then turn the heat off and set aside.
- 3
Heat a large shallow pan with oil and take the nuggets out of the freezer. Once the oil is ready, fry the nuggets on medium heat for about 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- 4
Plate and enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Freeze formed nuggets for exactly 60 minutes before frying to firm the protein matrix and prevent them from falling apart during the high-heat cooking process.timing60 minutes
- ✓Maintain oil temperature at 325-350°F for nuggets because lower temps create soggy coating while higher temps burn the outside before the inside reaches 165°F.technique325-350°F
- ✓Simmer homemade ketchup on low heat for the full 15 minutes to reduce water content by 30-40% and concentrate flavors through the Maillard reaction.timing15 minutes, 30-40% reduction
- ✓Use a shallow pan with oil depth of 1-2 inches for nuggets to maintain consistent temperature and achieve even browning without deep-frying.equipment1-2 inches depth
- ✓Massage the chicken mixture for 2-3 minutes to develop myosin proteins that act as a natural binder, reducing the need for excess breadcrumbs or eggs.technique2-3 minutes
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
McDonald's nuggets use 40 ingredients including dimethylpolysiloxane—homemade versions with just 7 ingredients taste completely different.
Homemade Chicken Nuggets and Ketchup
Get ready to indulge in crispy, golden homemade chicken nuggets that are sure to become a family favorite! Coated in a flavorful blend of breadcrumbs and spices, these bites are perfectly paired with a zesty, homemade ketchup that packs a punch. Whip up this easy recipe for a fun and tasty meal that everyone will love!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(9)
- 1/4 tsp of celery salt (if any) (1.25 ml)optional
- 1 tsp garlic powder (5 ml)
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder (7.5 ml)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (2.5 ml)
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup (120 ml)
- 1 tsp onion powder (5 ml)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder (2.5 ml)
- 1/2 tsp pepper (2.5 ml)
- 1/4 cup water (60 ml)
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- 1 lb ground chicken (we used half white meat and half dark meat) (454 g)
🫙Pantry Staples(6)
- 2/3 cup all-purpose flour (83.8 g)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda (2.5 ml)
- 2 tsp cornstarch (10 ml)
- 1/4 cup cornstarch (60 ml)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (15 ml)
- 6 oz tomato paste (170 g)
🧂Spices & Seasonings(5)
- 1 ½ tsp adobo all purpose seasoning (7.5 ml)
- 1 tsp paprika (5 ml)
- 1/2 tsp paprika (2.5 ml)
- 2 tsp salt (10 ml)
- 1 tsp salt (5 ml)
🍯Sauces & Condiments(2)
- 1/4 cup champagne vinegar (60 ml)
- 1/4 cup white vinegar (60 ml)
📦Other(1)
- 1 cup ice water (240 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Combine all chicken mixture ingredients in a bowl and massage well. Then form into chicken nugget pieces and set on parchment paper lined pan. When all the nuggets are formed, place the pan in the freezer for 1 hour.
- 2
Combine all ketchup ingredients in a medium pan and mix well. Then set the pan on the oven and bring to a soft boil and then turn the heat to low & let simmer for 15 minutes. Then turn the heat off and set aside.
- 3
Heat a large shallow pan with oil and take the nuggets out of the freezer. Once the oil is ready, fry the nuggets on medium heat for about 10-15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- 4
Plate and enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Freeze formed nuggets for exactly 60 minutes before frying to firm the protein matrix and prevent them from falling apart during the high-heat cooking process.timing60 minutes
- ✓Maintain oil temperature at 325-350°F for nuggets because lower temps create soggy coating while higher temps burn the outside before the inside reaches 165°F.technique325-350°F
- ✓Simmer homemade ketchup on low heat for the full 15 minutes to reduce water content by 30-40% and concentrate flavors through the Maillard reaction.timing15 minutes, 30-40% reduction
- ✓Use a shallow pan with oil depth of 1-2 inches for nuggets to maintain consistent temperature and achieve even browning without deep-frying.equipment1-2 inches depth
- ✓Massage the chicken mixture for 2-3 minutes to develop myosin proteins that act as a natural binder, reducing the need for excess breadcrumbs or eggs.technique2-3 minutes