Winner Winner Chicken Nugget Dinner

One of my favorite things to make when our nephew is over at our house are my home made chicken nuggets. I came up with this idea by combining a few different recipes to make up what I usually do.  I started out with the chicken nugget recipe that I found in one of the Cook’s Country Kitchen magazines.  They do a marinated chicken nugget.  I have adapted this recipe to make it all my own.

Ingredients:

          For the marinade:

2-4 chicken breasts, cubed into 1x1 inch cubes

¼ C Worchestershire sauce

4 Tbls salt

1 tsp granulated garlic

4 C water

          For the dredge:

          2 C all purpose flour

          2 Tbls salt

          1 Tbls pepper

          1 tsp paprika

          2 Tbls Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning

         

          Canola oil

Directions:

          Mix the ingredients for the marinade and let the chicken sit in the marinade for at least 30 minutes.  I have found it works best overnight.  If you are doing it overnight add 2 bay leaves, it just gives it an even better flavor. 

          Heat the canola oil in a skillet or Dutch oven to 375 degrees F.  If it is any colder than this the breading will not stick to the chicken and it gets very greasy.

          Mix the dredge ingredients.  In small batches, I usually do about 5 nuggets per batch, cover the chicken with the dredge.  One way you can do this is by putting it in a plastic bag and do the shake it up method.  I usually just end up mixing it up on a paper plate, then I can add more ingredients if needed.

          Carefully put the chicken in the hot oil and cook 4-6 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temp of at least 165 degrees F.  Once cooked through remove from oil and place on a paper towel lined plate until cooled. 

These great little treats can be served with ranch, fry sauce, ketchup, barbeque sauce, wing sauce, etc… So far they have been a hit with everyone I have made them for.  They are an easy non processed way for kids to eat protein.  I have also just cut the chicken into long tenders and it works great for chicken tenders.

Here is the link to the original recipe: http://www.cookscountry.com/recipes/6177-chicken-nuggets?incode=M00KSCR00