Recreating McDonald's Spicy Chicken Nuggets

Ingredients

• 2 lb Chicken Breast (boneless, skinless, minced)
• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (for seasoning and coating)
• 2 tbsp Nashville Hot Seasoning (can substitute with cayenne pepper + paprika)
• 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1 tbsp Hot Sauce (any brand, e.g., Frank's RedHot)
• 1 tsp Onion Powder
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• 0.5 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground)
• 1 tsp Yellow Mustard
• 0.25 cup White Corn Meal (fine texture)
• 0.5 cup Milk (whole milk)
• 1 large Egg (room temperature)
• 3 cup Vegetable Oil (for deep frying, high smoke point)

Instructions

1. Season the Flour

   In a shallow bowl combine the all‑purpose flour, 2 tbsp Nashville hot seasoning, and smoked paprika. Whisk until evenly distributed.

   Time: PT5M

2. Prepare the Wet Batter

   In another bowl whisk together the egg, milk, hot sauce, yellow mustard, 1 tbsp Nashville hot seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and white corn meal until you reach a pancake‑like consistency.

   Time: PT5M

3. Mince the Chicken

   Trim any fat from the chicken breasts, cut into chunks, and mince with a chef's knife or pulse in a food processor until the texture resembles fine ground meat.

   Time: PT10M

4. Season the Chicken

   Transfer the minced chicken to a large bowl. Add the remaining Nashville hot seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, and the egg. Mix thoroughly until the egg coats the meat evenly.

   Time: PT5M

5. Shape and Coat Nuggets

   Scoop about 1 tablespoon of the seasoned chicken mixture, shape into a nugget, roll lightly in the seasoned flour, and place on a baking sheet. Repeat until all mixture is used.

   Time: PT10M

6. Freeze the Nuggets

   Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 1 hour to firm the nuggets so they hold together during frying.

   Time: PT1H

7. Heat the Oil

   Fill a deep pot with vegetable oil to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat over medium‑high until the oil reaches 350°F (175°C).

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: 350°F

8. Fry the Nuggets

   Remove nuggets from the freezer. Dip each nugget into the wet batter, let excess drip off, then carefully lower into the hot oil. Fry 4‑5 minutes, or until the nuggets float to the surface and turn golden brown. Fry in batches to avoid crowding.

   Time: PT20M

   Temperature: 350°F

9. Drain and Rest

   Using tongs, lift the nuggets onto a wire rack set over paper towels to drain excess oil. Let rest for 2‑3 minutes.

   Time: PT5M

10. Serve

    Serve the spicy chicken McNuggets hot with your favorite dipping sauce (e.g., honey mustard, ranch, or extra hot sauce).

    Time: PT0M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

710

Protein

25 g

Carbohydrates

40 g

Fat

35 g

Fiber

1 g