Chicken Nuggets, Oven Or Pan
It is a fact in our family - children adore chicken schnitzel, so whenever I run out of cooking ideas, some quick chicken schnitzels are the answer. Lately, they started having some competition - the chicken nuggets, loved by everybody, especially by kids. Each time they eat them with delight and without any fuss.
Classic chicken nuggets are fried in oil, but there is, of course, the option to cook them in the oven. I tried both and I've noticed that the oven-cooked nuggets are healthier, but slightly drier. Pan-fried nuggets are much crispier on the outside and tender on the inside, they are our favourites, even though they aren't the healthiest.
By the way, I've also tried the low carb nuggets recipe - I used walnuts flour instead of white flour and store bought low carb breadcrumbs. I fried them in ghee and they were fantastically good.
Cut the chicken breast into 1cm thick slices.
Notice that I cut it widthwise, so that the slices are short and round.
Place the chicken into a bowl, add in the crushed garlic, salt and pepper (and maybe other spices that you like).
Mix with your hands to coat the chicken on all sides.
I recommend marinating the chicken for at least half an hour at room temperature or for a few hours in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap.
In a deep plate beat the eggs, a little salt and 3 tbsp oil.
Tip the breadcrumbs into a separate large plate.
If you are cooking the nuggets in the oven, I strongly recommend mixing the breadcrumbs with grated parmesan (or some other hard cheese). This will help forming a crunchy crust faster and won't let the baked nuggets get too dry.
Place the flour into a third separate plate.
So, before you actually start, you should have one plate with flour, one with the eggwash and another one with breadcrumbs.
Coat each chicken strip first in flour.
Then in egg.
Finally, in breadcrumbs.
If oven-cooking the chicken, line the baking tray with parchment and place the chicken pieces on.
Bake in the preheated oven to 200 degrees C, preferably, with the fan function on in order to brown faster.
Cook until brown, but make sure the chicken doesn't get too dry.
Notice it will brown faster underneath, it's enough like this.
Or fry the chicken nuggets in the pan, like a regular schnitzel - in well heated oil and well cooked on each side.
When cooked through, drain on a plate lined with kitchen paper to absorb excess oil.
This is what chicken nuggets cooked in the oven look like.
And these are pan-fried.
Serve both with your favourite sauce and a nice vegetable salad on the side.
Enjoy!
