Craving a mouthwatering chicken dish that packs a serious punch of flavor? Look no further than these irresistible Hot and Spicy Chicken Nuggets that will transform your ordinary meal into an extraordinary culinary adventure! These aren't your average chicken nuggets - they're a fiery explosion of crispy, zesty goodness that will have everyone at the table begging for more. Whether you're a spice lover or just looking to kick your dinner up a notch, this recipe promises to deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by cutting the chicken breast into uniform bite-sized pieces, ensuring they are roughly similar in size for even cooking.
- Create three separate breading stations: In the first bowl, mix flour with salt and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk eggs with hot sauce until well combined. In the third bowl, combine breadcrumbs with paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
- Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps the breading adhere better.
- Dredge each chicken piece first in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Then dip into the egg-hot sauce mixture, ensuring complete coverage. Finally, coat thoroughly in the spicy breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to help crumbs stick.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Arrange breaded chicken nuggets on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching each other to allow proper air circulation and crispy coating.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute and coating to set.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce like ranch, blue cheese, or additional hot sauce for extra heat.
Tips
- Pat the chicken pieces completely dry before breading to ensure a super crispy exterior.
- Use fresh spices for maximum flavor intensity - old spices can make your nuggets taste dull.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet; give each nugget space to ensure even, crispy cooking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- For extra crunch, consider using panko breadcrumbs instead of traditional breadcrumbs.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper quantity to control the heat level - more for spice lovers, less for sensitive palates.
- Let the nuggets rest after cooking to help the coating set and retain maximum juiciness.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 145mg
