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Crispy Dinosaur Chicken Nuggets Homemade Recipe

crispy dinosaur chicken nuggets - featured image

These crispy dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets are quick, easy, and perfect for kids and adults alike. They feature a crunchy coating made from panko breadcrumbs and crushed cornflakes, with a tender and juicy ground chicken interior.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground chicken (organic, lean preferred)
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup crushed cornflakes
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for coating)
  • 1/2 cup crushed cornflakes (for coating)
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika (for coating)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste (for coating)
  • Vegetable oil or canola oil (enough for shallow frying)

Instructions

  1. In a shallow bowl, combine 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup crushed cornflakes, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, mix ground chicken, 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1/2 cup crushed cornflakes, beaten egg, minced garlic, 1 teaspoon paprika, onion powder, salt, pepper, and parsley until combined. Do not overmix.
  3. Lightly flour hands or work surface. Roll chicken mixture into 1.5 inch balls. Press each ball into dinosaur-shaped cookie cutters to form nuggets, removing excess edges. Alternatively, shape nuggets by hand.
  4. Dip each shaped nugget into the coating mixture, pressing lightly to cover evenly. Place coated nuggets on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  5. Chill nuggets in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to firm up.
  6. Heat oil in a skillet to 350°F (175°C), about 1/4 inch deep.
  7. Fry nuggets in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Flip gently with tongs.
  8. Drain nuggets on a wire rack or paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve warm with dipping sauces like honey mustard or ketchup.

Notes

Chilling nuggets before frying helps them hold their shape and crisp up. Crushing cornflakes yourself gives better texture. Avoid overmixing chicken to keep nuggets tender. For a lighter option, bake at 400°F (205°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken nuggets, dinosaur nuggets, crispy chicken, kid-friendly, homemade nuggets, easy recipe, chicken snack